*** From the Archives ***

This article is from December 18, 2002, and is no longer current.

The Digital Photographer’s Gift Guide

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The holidays are just around the corner and you’re wracking your brain for a gift for your digital photographer. Wrack no more. Here is the 2002 Planet Photoshop Digital Photo Gift List, with suggestions ranging from very low budget to fairly extravagant.

Some advice: Investigate his or her needs before you buy and keep receipts.

 

  1. Domke Gripper Camera Strap. If your digital photographer carries his or her priceless (almost) camera or wears it on a bikini-string wrist-strap, here’s an adult safety solution. Cameras of any kind are best protected by wearing them around the neck. The Domke Gripper is a super strap that can be attached to almost any digital camera. $17.95. Available from Porter’s Camera Store.

     

  2. Ultrapod I. Tabletop tripods are great gifts. A visit to Pedco’s Web site is an adventure in itself. This year’s tabletop recommendation is the Ultrapod 1. Only $14.95, this versatile tripod will mount to virtually any support with a Velcro strap. Available from www.pedcopods.com

     

  3. The Photon Micro-Light 3. This $20.95 flashlight is fantastic and version 3 is even more so. Three levels of brightness, three levels of strobe effect, and a constant-on switch with one-minute auto shut-off make this an ideal photographer’s tool. Available with a red beam to protect night-vision. Finally, the Web site is a gadget-lover’s paradise. Available from www.photonlight.com

     

  4. Lexar Flash Card Readers. At $29.99, this line of card readers from Lexar will accommodate CompactFlash, Memory Stick, Smart Media, or MMC/SD formats with USB connectivity. For $39.99, you can get the Multi-Card Reader that will handle all four formats. Available from Amazon

     

  5. Wacom Graphire 2. Wacom is recognized as the leader in pressure-sensitive tablets and pens. The Graphire 2 offers excellent control with pen or its unique mouse. Bundled with Photoshop Elements 1, Painter Classic and Pen Palette LE software. $99.95. Available from Amazon

     

  6. Cloud Dome. Here’s a frivolous item — unless you continually shoot small products such as watches and jewelry. The Cloud Dome is a translucent plastic dome with a camera mount in its top, which solves tricky close-up lighting problems. With a universal bracket, $275. Check out the Web site for complete listing of products. Available from www.clouddome.com

     

  7. Nixvue Vista 10GB. Download CompactFlash cards to this portable hard drive with a color LCD panel for monitoring functions and viewing images. Other flash card format adapters are available. Lithium battery is rechargeable and has enough power to handle approximately 40 downloads from a 64mb CF card. $499 from Jobo. 20GB and 30GB models also available. Available from www.jobodigital.com

     

  8. “Photoshop Elements 2: 50 Ways to Create Cool Pictures” by Dave Huss. Dave has wrung every ounce of usefulness from version 2 in this unique photographer’s approach to Elements. $26.99. Published by New Riders

     

  9. “OS X 10.2 Jaguar Killer Tips” by Scott Kelby. Apple has introduced Jaguar and the new operating system is filled with hidden goodies. This book reveals a wealth of tips to make your Jaguar into a tame kitty. $39.99. Published by New Riders

     

  10. Photoshop Training Tapes and CDs. Learn from masters such as Ben Willmore and Scott Kelby with this huge library of videotapes. From: $39.95. Available from www.photoshopvideos.com

     

  11. Kelby’s Notes Plug-In. Imagine having Scott Kelby beside you at the Photoshop 7 keyboard. Well, don’t imagine it or you’ll have drop shadows all over the place. Kelby’s Notes is a Photoshop 7 plug-in that appears on your menu. Pull down the answers to the 100 most asked PS7 questions. $24.95 + $4.95 S&H. Available from www.kelbysnotes.com

     

  12. NAPP Membership. The National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) is growing every week. The $99 (US) annual membership brings you a subscription to Photoshop User magazine, big discounts on the hardware, software, books and NAPP events and member access to one of the best Photoshop Web sites ever. Available from www.photoshopuser.com

This story brought to you by the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP). Copyright 2002 KW Media Group. Photoshop is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.

 

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