Landscape photography kit essentials

Filters
An ultra-violet or skylight filter will protect the front of your lenses and are cheaper than a lens to replace.

A polariser is a must to enhance blue skies, cut-down glare and minimise reflections off water surfaces.

Neutral grey graduate filters should be very high up on the shopping list too. Many photographers add a graduate effect in Photoshop using the Gradient tool but there is still nothing like getting it right in camera.

Creative filter systems are available from Cokin and Lee Filters. You start by buying an adaptor ring or two to suit your lenses and a filter holder that attaches to the ring. Filters then slip into position.

Filter brands include: B+W, Cokin, Hoya, Lee Filters.

Visit Park Cameras to see the range of filters available.


You can also take a look at ePHOTOzine's filter guide for more information.

Get colours right
The camera's auto white-balance is pretty good at coping with most lighting situations. However, be prepared to use the presets if you find that the colours you want do not look quite right. Or do a custom white-balance with something like the ExpoDisc (pictured) or the Vivicap – a lens cap which can be used as a custom white-balance gadget.

Other essentials:

Spare battery
A fully charged battery is enough for most photographers, but if you like to review every shot or it is bitterly cold, a spare battery or two is a good idea. Given the minimal weight and the fact that your DSLR is totally useless without power, a spare battery is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Spare cards
Yes, important but you are not going to fill that many cards on a day in the landscape, or are you? Just make sure you have enough for a day's productive photography.

Other handy gadgets include the expoaperture2, a depth-of-field calculator, waterproof protection for the camera, a compass and a sun position compass.
 

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Take a look at our dedicated Photo Month forum where you can upload pictures, plus any advice and suggestions you have.