I need ideas for a Christmas present for a photography enthusiast...?

EmilyD

hey, I was wondering if anyone might be able to give me some ideas for a Christmas present for my sister who is an avid (amateur) photographer....? She has a good camera and all of the main accessories so I'm looking for ideas for related presents... like is there any national photogrpahy exhibition in ireland that I could get her tickets for or anything like that..? I'm pretty clueless in this field so all ideas would be welcome... thanks!

Thirdfox

could get her another lens, flash etc. What brand is her camera, is it a digital/film camera, is it an SLR or compact?

I think we'd need more info about your sister and her camera before we can give suggestions.

You could give her a book on photography - there are some good collections available in Hodges and Figgis/Waterstone's on the really famous pictures made by professional photo legends (may set you back around 70 euro or so though).

edit: oh and welcome to boards.ie by the way

skelliser

maybe a digital photo frame

trooney

Have a look at the accessories link you'll find on most camera suppliers websites. That'll give you a good idea of whats available.

magicbastarder

http://photojojo.com/content/buy-this/holiday-gift-guide-2007/

bernard0368

Dubray books have a lovely book of Ansel Adams photographs on special at the moment. €29.99 or €39.99 not sure.

peter1892

There's a good few options - voucher for one of the camera stores, books, maybe a subscription to a photography magazine...

shepthedog

Some good ideas there.. Digital photo frame would be cool, as people said it really depends on your sister.. Give more info and you will probably get better answers..
Cant go wrong with vouchers for photo shop but its a little impersonal..

AnCatDubh

If your sis uses online print services you could buy her some print credit - always useful to a photographer ;o) Or a flickr pro account (if she doesn't already have one).

TelePaul

bernard0368 wrote: »

Dubray books have a lovely book of Ansel Adams photographs on special at the moment. €29.99 or €39.99 not sure.

That'd make an excellent gift.

magicbastarder

she mightn't be a landscape photo fan though.
would she appreciate a mounted photo? maybe you could buy her a few frames, and the abovementioned credit to get some of her photos printed.

-aboutagirl-

I'm also buying for a photography enthusiast. My boyfriend has a Nikon D40 with the standard 18-55mm lens and also (I think) a 70-300mm. He has a bag, battery, strap, filters, cleaning kit etc. I've bought him guide books before which he loved but some of the books I've bought of other photographers work haven't gone down quite as well.

Any suggestions for other accessories or nice gifts? Would a flash be worthwhile? He's not a professional photographer but has recently become interested and is considering taking a full-time course somewhere next year. His photography is quite creative and I was think about maybe getting him something quirky like a pinhole camera? Or a holga?

Any ideas? what would be on your christmas list? A mounted photo is a possibility but again I've done something similar before and need new ideas!

5uspect

Get here a Holga toy camera maybe or something on making your own pinhole cameras. If she has a digital SLR with all the bells and whistles she may find playing with the "primitive" end of photography refreshing.

EDIT: SNAP!

Thirdfox

-aboutagirl- wrote: »

I'm also buying for a photography enthusiast. My boyfriend has a Nikon D40 with the standard 18-55mm lens and also (I think) a 70-300mm. snip...

I wish I had such a nice girlfriend... well I had but that's a whole different story!

A SB-600 flash "speedlight" would be perfect I think. I have one on my D40 and love it (you could consider the smaller and less powerful SB-400 but the swivel and tilt feature really does justify the SB-600).

decsramble

bernard0368 wrote: »

Dubray books have a lovely book of Ansel Adams photographs on special at the moment. €29.99 or €39.99 not sure.

I second bernard0368 and TelePaul's comments. I saw this book in Waterstones tonight and was seriously tempted to dump the arm full of Christmas presents I had and buy that for myself instead. The Christmas spirit won out in the end but I'll be going back to get it in the New Year sales.

gas_ticket

If you're going to get me something for Christmas, get me a blank calendar for next year, with spaces for me to glue on my photos. That way I can make one up for myself, or better still, give one to my friends to make sure they look at my work every day of the year.

And I'm coming around to make sure its still hanging!

I've seen them in the UK, presumably available here somewhere?

Or what about film for my camera, or paper for my digital printing?

All gifts appreciated.

leinsterman

Back on track with EmilyD's thread rather than the hijacker ...

I'm guessing a lot depends on what type of camera your sister has, how advanced she is at using cameras and how much you are willing to spend ... more information may give you better suggestions ...

With regard to books I can recommend this one from Magnum - Magnum Stories
Or you could get her the book for the recent excellent BBC4 series on the history of photography and imaging culture The Genius of Photography

I have both and love em ...

If you want something basic on how to take better pictures then the standard recommendation from a great many people here is Understanding Exposure

With regard to gear ... well you can never have enough memory and if you want to get it cheap buy from 7Dayshop ... depending on what type of camera she is using ...

If you really want to spend money then get her a lens ...

You could also get her a tripod ... but be warned ... good tripods cost a lot of money ... mine was more than €250 ... and this is still not considered anyway near top of the range ...

Another option which may be cheaper is a lowepro gearbag ... you can get these at best prices from Gunnes shop on Wexford St in Dublin ... ask for Cathy ... tell her I sent you ...

... their sling shot bags are particularly good ...

... as I said though ... give us more information if you want better advice ...

Thirdfox

Funnily enough - the times I've been to Gunnes they have been surprised to know of them being mentioned on boards.ie and it seems like they do not offer student discounts contrary to what I heard hear

So I just go to Cathy that Leinsterman sent me?

leinsterman

Thirdfox wrote: »

So I just go to Cathy that Leinsterman sent me?

Best to deal with Cathy on Camera and gear matters ... unless you are talking about film in which case her mother Louise ... or printing is her sister Fiona ... and finally model trains is John ... they do give discount for students but not on everything ...

... and Yes ... Cathy has heard of me as leinsterman ... but she also knows me as Simon ...

Oh and I'd say only Cathy is computer literate enough to know about boards ... she assures me she occasionally browses our forum ...

leinsterman

leinsterman wrote: »

... and Yes ... Cathy has heard of me as leinsterman ... but she also knows me as Simon ...

I should add ... I'm not sure this will give you any additional discount ... but it will certainly raise a smile on her face if you mention leinsterman and say discount in the same sentence ... and I'd appreciate the credit ... since it helps my relationship with them ...

magicbastarder

leinsterman wrote: »

it will certainly raise a smile on her face if you mention leinsterman and say discount in the same sentence ... and I'd appreciate the credit ... since it helps my relationship with them ...

i.e. 'who does that bastard think he is, telling people that mention of his name will get a discount here?'

Eirebear

magicbastarder wrote: »

i.e. 'who does that bastard think he is, telling people that mention of his name will get a discount here?'

No I think in other words it means...you wont get the discount..BUT Leinsterman might next time he goes in because he has been sending us all in there before him

Nice work if you can get it

leinsterman

Eirebear wrote: »

No I think in other words it means...you wont get the discount..BUT Leinsterman might next time he goes in because he has been sending us all in there before him

Nice work if you can get it

Actually the first one was more accurate though I'm not quite the "bastard" I used to be, I've mellowed out lately ... must be getting old or something:o ... The only special treatment I get in Gunns is a good conversation and maybe a cup of tea ... margins are so tight for the like of Gunns and Dublin Camera Exchange and when you add the fact that the vast majority of people here will waste their time demoing kit only to buy in Hong Kong or USA ... asking for a discount on kit is a bit of an insult really ...

I genuinely like the Gunns because they are good to deal with, great for advice and honest in doing business ... they like to know who has recommended them ... and I like the pat on the back when someone mentions it ... makes me feel like I've done a good deed ...

Besides, even if I did get a special discount why would you begrudge it ? What difference does it make to you ??

Nice bit of cynicism though ... I can't say I blame you in rip off Ireland ...

Paulw

leinsterman wrote: »

I genuinely like the Gunns because they are good to deal with, great for advice and honest in doing business ...

I have to totally agree there. I've bought a few bits in there, and always found them great. They like to know their customer - what you use, what you use it for, and how they can genuinely help you. Full of good advice too.

Well worth doing business with.