So, this little gift guide is not only for people out there who have a husband/wife/parent/child who is a photography lover, but also for us photographers too: there’s nothing wrong with treating ourselves to a little Christmas gift, now, is there…?

Gifts To Make Us Better Photographers

We all want to improve our photography, always wanting to take better and better photos, and these will really help. It may be best to have a sneak peek at your photography enthusiast’s book collection before you get one of the guides, though, just in case they already have it.

The Digital Photography Book (Volume 1)

Whenever I’m asked what’s the best ‘learning photography’ book out there, I always say this one. I did a full review of The Digital Photography book over here, which you may want to check out, but, needless to say, devouring this book will definitely improve your photography. Well, only if you don’t take the word ‘devouring’ literally, that is – I don’t think it would be too appetising…

It’s the world’s largest selling digital photography book for a reason, and you can get it from Amazon US and UK. There have actually been three books written in the series, and you can get a box set of them if you really want to spoil your loved one! Again, available from Amazon US and UK.

Understanding Exposure

Likewise, this book is fantastic, and whoever receives it will thank you for broadening their photography theory – the fundamentals of which are really needed to start taking better shots. I did a full review of Understanding Exposure over here, by the way.

You can find this book at all good book stores, or that fantastic Amazon US and UK place too.

A 50mm Prime Lens

If you don’t know anything about photography, don’t be put off by the technical-sounding name – this is basically a great little lens that lets us take photos in lowlight without a flash. Yep, flash sucks, doesn’t it? If you’re tired of being blasted by your partners flash every time he wants to take a shot of you indoors, then why not get him one of these lenses? I wrote a guide on how to take sharp photos in lowlight without a flash, and one of the best things you can do is use one of these lenses.

Think they’ll be expensive? Think again! For around $100/£80, this is a fantastic addition to any photographers kit. If you know your friend only has the lens that came with his/her camera, then this would definitely be a great gift idea. All you need to know is if they’re a Canon or a Nikon user. If they’re Canon, then get the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, available at Amazon US or UK. If they’re a Nikon user, then the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is also available at Amazon US and UK.

A Tripod – But Not Just ‘Any’ Tripod!

There are times when every photographer needs a tripod: landscape photography in general, certain lowlight situations, and when wanting to set up ‘self-shots’, to name just a few. Standard tripods are fine, but to add a little spark to your Christmas gift, you may want to think about a Gorillapod, available from Amazon US and UK.

What’s great about these are that they are lightweight, small, and super-malleable – you can mold them around trees, rocks, doors… virtually anywhere! They really enable you to set up ‘self-shots’ wherever you may be, with the minimum of fuss. Check them out in the video below:

These are just a few gift ideas to be getting on with, and, I can honestly say, if I didn’t already have all of the above, then I’d be pleased as punch to get any of them!

Top Christmas image by ‘domesticat’ on Flickr

The ability to send a photo straight away to the photoframe is brilliant, especially if you’re into your photography (and you probably are, if you’re reading this blog!). If you have parents who live some way away from you, and you don’t get to see them much, just give them one of these, and whenever you have a great new photo to share with them, you just email it – and the photo will instantly show up on their frame! A great idea, and one that really elevates this from the typical photoframe.

Here’s a video review of the Kodak Pulse:

The Kodak Pulse is available available from Amazon US and UK

It’s a proper, fully working, 1.5″ LCD, 3 Megapixel digital camera – and though it seems apt to say ‘perfect for your kid’, I think I’d like to get one as well! Retro, nostalgia…call it what you wish. I think it’s pretty nifty.

Currently available at Amazon for £39.99 (£20 off the RRP).