Photography Vocabulary 102

Light Meter by Lisa K. Berton

There are accessories that help to complete a photographer’s outfit and by outfit, I mean gear, and by gear I mean equipment. Get your wallets out because you’ll want to go shopping after you finish reading this.

Filters – Predominantly used on SLRs both film and digital, filters can create an amazing range of effects. The most commonly used is the UV, which protects the lenses’ glass from being scratched as well as keeping a blue/purple tint out of your photos. You may also want to get a Circular Polarizer which cuts out glare found on reflective surfaces such as glass, sand, snow, and my dad’s bald head.

Tripod – If you’re interested in shooting at night or doing long exposures you’ll want to get yourself a tripod. This three-legged stand will keep your camera perfectly still. All cameras and tripods connect via a universal screw found on the tripod’s mount. Tripods come a wide range of heights, weights, and certainly durability.

Monopod – Going on a safari? Shooting from the sidelines? Monopods take up less space than tripods do and are designed for the photog who is shooting with a super telephoto or high power zoom lens. Monopods attach to cameras the same way tripods do and also come in various heights, weights, and durability.

Microfiber Cloth – Keep one handy to wipe fingers prints and nose grease off the LCD screen and particles from the lens. You can also use it on your glasses and sunglasses.

Neoprene Neck Strap – SLRs normally come with a neck strap that feels rough on your neck and doesn’t help to support the weight of the camera. Neoprene neck straps are soft, sometimes textured, and help to alleviate stress on your neck. I personally recommend the Boomerang by Tamrac

Memory Card Wallet – Keep your memory cards safe and in a convenient location. You’ll find both soft and hard cases available as well as waterproof ones. I have this one by LowePro.