Some college students need a book, a pen and access to a computer to complete their education. Others need a ton of specialized gear. Unfortunately for their checkbooks, photography students tend to fall into category number two. This means that they usually have a massive wish list of things they need so that they can improve their skills. Of course, few people shopping for a Christmas present are going to want to plop down a thousand dollars for a new f/1.8 prime lens, especially when they're not even sure they're getting the right thing. Fortunately, there are also plenty of cheap Christmas gift ideas for photography students.
Rocket Air Blasters Make Great Stocking Stuffers
A dirty lens or spotty camera mirrors are both things that can ruin a nice photo shoot. Fortunately, a good blast of air can remove most bits of lint and dust so the photographer can start shooting again. The best model, Giottos Rocket Air Blaster, is under $20 and well worth the low price. There are air blasters in the five to six dollar price range, too, but many of them operate by sucking the air in and recycling it back out of the same hole. Eventually, they start to make the lens dirtier than it was when the photographer started trying to de-spot it.
LCD Viewers Make Checking In Camera Images Easier
For wildlife fans or people who enjoy shooting in natural light, being tethered to a laptop to check images can be frustrating. However, trying to make out exactly what is on that little LCD screen in the sun's glare can be frustrating, too. LCD viewers are a great way to make seeing images in the camera a lot easier. Options range from the pricey, but much loved, Hoodman Hoodloupe 3.0 to the budget friendly Delkin Universal Pop-Up shade.
Good Books Never Go Out of Style
Most photographers enjoy learning new techniques and seeing how other photographers shoot subjects they are interested in. A good photography book can be a learning tool, a source of inspiration, or just something to relax with. Books that feature the photographs of Ansel Adams are a popular choice with many photographers and photography students because this photographer is considered to be the ultimate landscape photographer.
Photo Supply Store Gift Certificates are a Safe Bet
More than one budding photographer is saving every penny to be able to afford a better lens, some lighting, or a nice backdrop system. While footing the bill for a major piece of equipment might be a bit too much for friends and family members to handle, gift certificates or gift cards will help that camera lover get a bit closer to his or her dream piece of gear.
While it may be hard to understand all the jargon photography students throw around, it isn't too hard to figure out what to put under the Christmas tree. Gear and gift cards are gift givers' gold.
Katelyn Thomas - If you can't find me in the spring, I'm out hiking through the wood with a few pounds of photography gear strapped to my back. In the ...
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