How would you spend $80 to improve your photography?

<p>For Christmas I have been given $80 to spend on "something photo related." I'm an enthusiastic amateur with no particular specialisation. I like taking pictures of the mountains (I live in Calgary, close to Banff National Park) but also of the kids, friends, stuff round town, touristy things when I travel, all sorts.<br>

My current gear consists of a Nikon D80, 18-70 AF-S, 35/1.8 AF-S, 50/1.8 AF, 55-200 AF-S VR, an SB-600 flash, a 6-in-1 circular reflector, a fairly decent Manfrotto tripod + ball head, a good backpack, er, and some books.<br>

I have $80 to spend, in theory. Photography is a hobby and I have a regular job and all so I can spend a little more if I want, but I'm curious to see how I could best improve by spending a small amount of money. A new lens is probably out of the budget so I think I've dodged that one.<br>

I've thought about maybe one of the following:</p>

<ul>

<li>Monopod?</li>

<li>DxO Optics Pro?</li>

<li>$80 of professional lab prints for my existing photos?</li>

<li>$80 of petrol to drive around taking photos?</li>

<li>Cheapest point-and-shoot camera I can find so I always have one with me?</li>

<li>Something else?</li>

</ul>

<p>How would you spend $80 to improve your photography? (Or mine!)</p>

<p>Your ideas are good; one to add: membership in the local art museum (if you have one) so you can see all the photography ! </p>

<p>One of my personal "must haves" is the Hoodman Loupe. I can make corrections to exposure and composition in the field. To me, the only thing that matters is the final image. Yes, I chimp, a lot. The DSLR is just a tool.</p>

<p>Go into town and take a picture of someone homeless, then buy them a good meal and whatever you can get for $80. Now take their picture again and see how much better they look. May not improve your photography but it will improve someone elses life and your self esteem.</p>

<p>Things I would have on the list that are less than $80 (assuming you are not already equipped with them):</p>

<ul>

<li>polarizing filter for at least on of your lenses</li>

<li>camera strap</li>

<li>more SD memory</li>

<li>rechargeable batteries/charger for flash</li>

<li>extra camera battery</li>

<li>sensor cleaning kit</li>

</ul>

<p> membership to photo.net, three year even....</p>

<p>Take an unpaid day from work, buy back your time. It is by far the most valuable thing we have in this life. </p>

<blockquote>

<p>membership to photo.net, three year even....</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Amen to that Mac!</p>

<p>In line with Ken, I would suggest a subscription to a magazine like "Lenswork". A book more about the art of photography rather than the tech stuff or photoshop tricks. Nothing wrong with those books, but you asked about somthing that would improve your photography. </p>

<p>To me a publication like "Lenswork" is a great source of inspiration. It is all B&W of course, so you may want something different. They also offer a CD version of the publication with several audio interviews and other multimedia stuff to add to the content.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.lenswork.com/">Lenswork.com</a></p>

<p>Jason</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Go somewhere with the camera. Fuel, food & prints.</p>

<p>I'd get a clamp to take that flash off the camera. </p>

<p>I support Charles Heckel's idea. Here is the lowest price most versatile camera bracket I have worked with. A super bargain. You just add a coiled cord from Nikon to your nice Nikon flash (they do good flashguns) system and get light high up and off camera for those children shots indoors or out.<br>

Bogen's solid bargain price all purpose Flash Bracket with 17" of height adjustment and lots of good reviews, read some of them. Enough change left to subsidize the necessary Nikon TTL coiled cord I betcha....</p>

<p>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/278249-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_233B_233B_Telescoping_Camera_Flash_Bracket.html</p>

 

<p>Wow, thanks for all the responses so far!</p>

<p>I have a light stand and umbrella for taking the flash off camera, and I do have a polarizer for the wide zoom.</p>

<p>Lenswork looks excellent. I subscribe to Photo Life currently (Canadian content, lots of good pictures). Anyone have other suggestions? Online photo training membership of some sort?</p>

<p>the homeless feeding suggestion gets my vote. you would feel much better and hopefully, the resulting pictures would be stunning as well.</p>

<p>Mike,<br>

I'd suggest a hand-held incident exposure meter. You might have to go second-hand at the amount you mention.</p>

<p>I remember how much my photography improved after I began using one.</p>

<p>Let us know what you finally do decide.</p>

<p>Since you are close to Banff, how about a few books by Canadian Rockies expert <a href="http://www.darwinwiggett.com/">Darwin Wiggett</a>?</p>

<p><a href="http://www.darwinwiggett.com/product.php?id=28">http://www.darwinwiggett.com/product.php?id=28</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.pc.gc.ca/voyage-travel/carte-pass/carte-pass1_e.asp">Parks Canada annual pass.</a></p>

<p>Inspirational photobooks?<br>

MP3-player so you can download inspiring podcasts?</p>

 

<p>A session with a good model</p>

<p>Three months subscription to lynda.com to iron out all the issues you might have with image editing, organisation , and colour management.</p>

<p>Maybe a polarizing filter and some gas to get you somewhere special to take more photos.</p>

<p>Learn to use what you have. I would consider books specifically on composition and lighting. Total less than $50. And use the rest to join a local club to shoot with other photographers. Its eye opening to shoot the same spot with several people to see what you missed or they saw. Some local clubs have photos judged as well. Submit photos here for review. That all will be less than $80 and will really improve your eye. Because you are asking this question, I am expecting this would help the most. If you had a gear need, you would know. An understanding and sense of composition and lighting effects most images. I understand Hemingway told Ansel he liked his photos, and asked what kind of camera he used. Ansel replied he liked Hemingways books and asked what kind of typewriter he used. </p>

<p>Buy a couple of books by Sebastiao Salgado and see what photography is all about.</p>

 

<p>A circular polarizing filter to fit your largest lens and a step-down ring to use the same filter on the other lenses, or a mini photo excursion. Another possibility is a subscription to a magazine that runs the kinds of photographs that interest you, a subscription to photo.net, and a membership to a local camera/photo club.</p>

<p>Whatever you decide, have fun!</p>

<p>Michael J Hoffman</p>

<p>I would go along with the idea of getting a art book and take the rest of the money and just shoot. The more shooting the better. Until you make a lot of mistakes you will not grow. Just get out and have fun!</p>