10 Gift Items For Your Holiday Photography Wish List

Well fellow photographers, December is here and it’s time to make your holiday gift wish lists!

Here are 10 photo related items that you that you probably want on yours. Ok, so it’s all stuff I want, but I figure that since these items are all so cool, them I’m probably not the only one who is hoping to get my hands on them this holiday season.

Of course, like any good photographer, I went out and bought a bunch of stuff for myself right before the holidays, like a Nikon SB900 Speedlight, a Bogen Fiction Magic Arm and a Manfrotto Justin Clamp. I just figured that I’d get some of that big stuff out of the way and leave room for on my list for all these other cool items.

1. Nikon Coolpix P7000 Point and Shoot Camera

With its 10.1 MP sensor, RAW capability, ultra sharp ED glass lens, built in VR and a host of other features, this thing is the ultimate point and shoot. I’d love to have one of these to carry around with me for those times when I’m not lugging around my D700 and big glass. Basically a bridge between a DSLR and a PS, having something like this would make it so that you were always equipped to capture pro quality images, no matter where you were.

However, I’m flexible. I’d settle for a Panasonic Lumix LX-5.

2. Photoshop Fridge Magnets

If you’re like me, you keep your favorite shots on the fridge and on the magnetic bulletin board anyway, so why not pin them up with these fun things? Besides, they’ll make you feel right at home when you’re looking at your images away from the computer.

3. Manfrotto 732CY Carbon Fiber Tripod

I broke my lightweight tripod last month and haven’t gotten around to replacing it. This would certainly be a great replacement. It extends to 53″, closes down to 16.7″ and weighs less than 3 lbs. Great for backpacking, great for all around photography, and since it’s not made of metal, I won’t freeze my fingers when trying to adjust it during the winter. It’s like carbon fiber handlebars for your camera.

4. The Hot Shoe Diaries by Joe McNally

I checked this book out from the library last week and have been poring through it, taking notes and learning a tremendous amount about how to become more proficient with off-camera flashes. It’s an incredible learning resource. After all, Joe McNally is The Man when it comes to creative lighting techniques and I’d love to have my own copy of this awesome book.

5. B&H Photo Gift Card

Any amount, please. The higher, the better.

6. One Year Subscription to Digital Photo Pro Magazine.

I always seem to let my magazine subscriptions run out and forget to renew. This is a great publication and I’ve always learned a lot in the past by having it around. I wonder, though, after reading Chase Jarvis’s call to “Drop The Digital from Photography”, will they eventually just call it “PhotoPro” magazine? Ok, let’s move on.

7. Lastolite 33″ TriGrip Translucent Diffsuer

If you tend to shoot solo, which I often do, this thing is awesome for controlling and diffusing the light from flashes or the sun, or as a quick replacement for a softbox. The ergonomic grip allows you to comfortably hold it with one hand while shooting with the other. You can also attach it to light stand or tripod by using a Bogen Super Clamp – another item that should be on everyone’s wish list. You can never have too many of those things.

8. Zoom Lens Coffee Mug

I know you’ve seen these things all over the web. It’s probably not something you’d run out and buy for yourself, but wouldn’t it be fun to get as a gift this year?

9. The Entire Craft and Vision eBook Collection.

As I’ve mentioned in previous post, these guys put out the most beautiful, informative and inspiring photography eBooks that I’ve ever seen. Imagine how much you could learn and how much you’d rekindle your passion for photography by reading all 20 of their books?

10. Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrade

Need I say more?

What’s on your holiday wish list?