MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I need to buy present(s) for someone who is into photography, having just bought a new digital camera. I know very little about photography, but would like to buy him something photography related, and I know that STW is a hotbed of photographers so was hoping you would be able to give me some advice!
He has already asked for a photo album, but other ideas I had were:
Photoshop type software (but expensive)
Tripod/Monopod/Swivel Monopod
Photography Book(?)
Memory Chip - not sure if needed
Anything else I should consider?
Thanks all!
Oh, and budget I was thinking up to fifty or so.
Good ideas there i reckon. Also consider:
I bought a copy of photoshop elements on Amazon for £20 last year. If he's a beginner then I suspect that elements will be more software than he'll know what to do with anyway and certainly keep him occupied for a few months. I wouldn't worry about getting the newest version either, the differences are good but it doesn't automatically make the previous versions rubbish. Perhaps couple that with a guidebook?
You could also get a Hoya Filter or 2; you could probably just about get the following 2 lenses for £50.
A UV filter will help with clarity in the image by filtering some of the unwanted UV light from a scene. They also act as a handy lens protector (rather than scratching his brand new lens glass).
A circular polariser is also very handy, works like a pair of polarising sunglasses and particularly good for bringing out clouds/reflections on sunny days. Just make sure you know the diameter of his lens before you start spending money otherwise his nice new present might not fit!
A UV filter will help with clarity in the image by filtering some of the unwanted UV light from a scene. They also act as a handy lens protector (rather than scratching his brand new lens glass).A circular polariser is also very handy
if you are going to buy him lens filters then you would need to know the diameter of the lens its going onto. other than that I would recommend them as a present though it depends on your budget as polarised filters can get quite expensive!
- A book on technique or just inspirational images (depends if he's new to it or not?)
- Magazine Subscription to something like Practical Photography
- Boring, but a spare battery & a memory card (you can never have enough power or memory!)
- Vouchers or money towards something like a days photography course/photography experience with someone like www.wildarena.com
- External hard drive for backing up photo's. One day you will be thanked massively for this!
gorrillapod or lensbaby - both neat ideas for someone starting in photography
or the cheap prime lens that suits their camera (ie f1.8 50mm on the canon)
Thanks people, as usual a lot of helpul advice. 
Cleaning bits like a Rocket Blower, Lenspen or Lens Cloth