What gift for the photographer?

[Wayne02]

My sister in-law is an avid amateur photographer and her birthday is coming up. She is big into wildlife photography and spends her weekends getting up at O' dark thirty to get to the picture spots for good morning light. Several times per year she will fly to other states for other wildlife photo opportunities. She does all her own processing and printing with photo shop.

I don't know much about photography, and she seems to have a bunch of gear already. I'm not sure what to get her that she might not already have. I thought about the gift certificate route but there are no major photography stores in her area and she buys all her things from amazon, ebay or other online retailers. I'd prefer this gift to be a surprise even if it will be chance on something she already has.

Any ideas?

Are there print or online magazines that she might like a subscription?

Large online photo retailers who might offer gift certificates?

Something more original, something photography related but off the wall maybe?

Thanks

 

[BarbC]

A good alarm clock?

 

[kennyb]

get her a gift cert.for B&H photo in NYC...they are one of the largest with excellent pricing and customer service...they of course have catalogs and a website

 

[Marty919]

Wayne:

Check this link:

http://www.blogher.com/snappy-holiday-gifts-photographers

Lots of cool ideas here for photogs.

 

[Marty919]

Hmmm, link didn't post. Here it is:

Snappy Holiday Gifts for Photographers | BlogHer

 

[oldogy]

As an old guy and one who has tried to buy appropriate gifts over the years I just do not buy gifts any more. Unless you or someone close to her knows what she needs or what she is wanting just forget about getting her something and give her a gift cert or cash. I know it may sound crude but I've seen too many gifts turn out to be worthless to the recepient.
oldogy

 

[BarbC]

My daughter got me a Sharper Image keychain photo viewer, like this The Sharper Image Digital Photo Album Keychain | Overstock.com

I like it because it's a conveniently portable way to download my favorite photos onto it and take them around with me. It may not be a "big deal" type of gift, but it has its uses.

 

[Blkcat]

Are there print or online magazines that she might like a subscription?

Check out:
www.outdoorphotographer.com

www.naturephotographermag.com

www.naturesbestmagazine.com

www.wildlifephotographermagazine.com

 

[Blkcat]

Additional gift suggestions:
- A gift certificate to a good office supply store - If she does her own printing, she can undoubtedly use more ink cartridges and photo paper. Don't try to buy these for her unless you KNOW SPECIFICALLY what kind of ink and/or paper she prefers. It's better to let her pick it out.

- A gift certificate to a picture framing shop

- Lint-free white cotton gloves she can use to handle her prints

- Lens cleaning cloths

- An antique camera (real, or reproduction) for decorative display

 

[neiljrosen]

How about a Tripod? I have one that I've used many times over the years for photography and it can also double as a platform for a Spotting Scope or a small Telescope.

 

[cptdco]

Like anybody else with a equipment-intense hobby, gifts can be a problem if you don't have a wish-list. My wife would have no idea what specific piece of photographic gear I might need or want, anymore then she would know what reloading equipment I might need. Someone above mentioned a gift certificate from B&H. I'll second that. They have EVERYTHING, new or used, at good prices and with good service.

 

[tom turner]

"F8 and BE THERE!"

The old photographer's favorite saying . . . for nothing warms the heart of a photographer more than BEING THERE when the moment is right.

In other words . . . I don't know your budget, but a couple of days lodging at a special place of landscape photographers in the right season would be a fantastic gift!

Here's a photo my cousin (a professional landscape photographer) made a few years ago . . . when the light, the leaves and the location all came together. This is what photographers live for!!!

After he showed it to me I said, "Man, that's like taking a 12-point buck!" He then told me that a big one actually came out, either a 10 or a 12-point, and stood in that road for a few moments in early light, the morning he took this photo. A shot of a lifetime indeed!


BTW: He ONLY shoots with Fuji slide film (medium format) . . . and this photo has NOT been enhanced or photoshopped in any way. Perfection.

 

[doublesharp]

Money or gift certificate. Unless you've got a wish list with brand and model #, don't try and buy a pro equipment. If they need one, they've already probably got two.