LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORIES YOU NEVER KNEW YOU NEEDED
Forget cameras and lenses! We’re talking tripods, bags and the rarer landscape photography accessories you really need to start packing!
Landscape photography is likely the one genre that features the most passionate people. Not only to they like taking photos, but they like walking, exploring the great outdoors and embracing nature. Mind you, they probably enjoy don’t enjoy the endless waiting, early starts of cold weather.
It takes a certain level of dedication to get the perfect sunrise or sunset shot. Not to mention mental fortitude to brave the often inclement weather. Add to this the amount of kit they’ve got to lug around and it’s easy to forget the little things in life that make your shooing experience that much more pleasurable.
That’s where I come in. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out on your landscape photography journey, these landscape photography accessories are nothing short of essential. You can thank me later!
Table of Contents
THE MOST COMMON PHOTOGRAPHY LANDSCAPE ACCESSORIES
I know, I know. I did say forget the obvious stuff, but Google would just laugh my ranking out of the window if I didn’t at least mention a good tripod…
The choice of tripod is vast. Do you want lightweight? Sturdy? Loadbearing? Height, inversion, Arca Swiss compatibility… the list goes on. However, these are a couple that I’d recommend to cover the most common bases.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD TRIPOD?
Three legs and a head, next… Bad joke. A good tripod essentially comes down to three points. Weight, stability and suitability. You can add head onto that, but these are interchangeable and different types suit different genres better than others.
When it comes to weight, this one is simple. The lighter the tripod, the easier it is to transport. If you’re serious about this, you likely already have a backpack with a tripod holder. If you don’t favour a backpack, then you’ll want something that’s easy to lug around.
You can generally break construction down to aluminium and carbon fibre. The latter is lighter, and more expensive. But it can be very beneficial when you’re calculating weight to strength ratios. The former tends to be cheaper, and if you opt for a small one you won’t face too much of a weight penalty.
Stability is exactly what it sounds like. In an ideal world the air would be still, the water glassy and the ground even. If you ask any landscape photographer how often that’s the case though, you’ll get an answer with a lot of swearing!
Most tripods have multiple leg sections so you can balance out on sloping ground. Some, like the Gitzo range, generally articulated feet that lets them stand even on bumpy terrain.
You also want something strong enough to make sure you cut down on vibrations, from the wind or running water, that will introduce camera shake during long exposure times. This is an instant shot killer.
Suitability is simple: not all tripods are created equal. For example, travel tripods are usually small, light and great for casual travel shots. However, they’ll sway in a breeze and struggle with a weighty camera and lens combo.
Some tripods, like the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AP allow you to reverse the central arm and undercling your camera so it’s close to the floor and upside down. Great for macro, but also useful for interesting landscape photo compositions. Others let you splay the legs fully so you can effectively shoot from ground level.
Knowing what kind of tripod will fit your needs best is essential. No need to opt for something that stacks skill points in features you’ll never need. It could also save you from overspending, especially when you’re first starting out.
WHICH TRIPOD IS THE BEST LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORY?
Let’s start with something premium, it’ll take the sting out the of rest… photography it not a cheap hobby, as we already know!
GITZO TRIPOD KIT SYSTEMATIC, SERIES 5, 4 SECTIONS WITH CENTRE BALL HEAD - £1283
Gitzo is the daddy of tripod brands. They’re also bloody expensive! It’s hard to justify options for a Gitzo over something cheaper that does the job well… until you try one.
This comes with four leg sections and an extends up to 168cm. There’s no central column, but the legs can be laid flat so get you ground-level. The feet are articulated and feature grippy rubber shoes – ideal for waterfalls and slippery rocks.
It really is the finest example of carbon fibre, though with ball head attached it weighs 3.72kg. That said, you will struggle to find a hardier tripod. I’ve had mine in running water falls, on rocky paths and shot in a near-gale. It didn’t even flinch!
The ball head is great – infinitely posable. It comes with a friction control for fine-tuning, a spirit level and quick release plate. Oh, and it works down to -30 degrees celsius and can support 30kg of kit… apparently.
It’s bloody expensive, but it may well be the last tripod you ever buy. Also, you’ll be justifiably smug in any photography circle! – priceless!
VANGUARD ALTA PRO 2+ 263AP WITH 3-WAY PAN HEAD - £167
Vanguard is a great brand with some excellent tripods and backpacks. The Alta Pro 2+ has come out with me many times and always done the job. For the price, there are a lot of features to keep you happy.
Unlike the Gitzo it’s made from aluminium, adding 5kg worth of metal to your luggage. That said, it’s very much an all-round bit of kit, so consider that the trade off.
It has three leg sections and reaches 175cm with the central column extended. That column is also MACC (Multi-Angle Central Column). This means it can be extended out of the structure and sit on a hinge, as seen above. Basically, you can get a lot more off-axis camera freedom – a bonus for macro, for example.
This ones has angled rubber shoes, but lacks the level of articulation the Gitzo offers. It also only supports a 5KG payload (more than enough for most setups). The head shows is a pan/tilt, operated by lockable levers. A ball head variant is also available, but this is a matter of taste.
I would say it’s not quite as sturdy as the Gitzo. My MACC broke off after 4 years of moderate use. That said, what a four years! If you want a great tripod at a reasonable price, look no further.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY BACK PACK?
Yep, another cliche… I promise the more abstract stuff is coming a bit further down – feel free to scroll on! But, this wouldn’t be a landscape list without a nod to a one of my favourite backpacks.
Again, there are a million photography bags on the market, but some are definitely more geared towards landscape photographery. Some have easy access that’s perfect for grabbing unexpected shots without the frustrating digging. Others feature tripod slings – these are a must, by the way!
Another thing to consider is storage, we know how long landscape photographers enjoy a long day or two. Room for camera and lenses is a must, but what about peripherals, water bottle etc?
Like every other aspect of photography, a good backpack isn’t cheap. But would you really want to skimp out on one kit that’s sole purpose is keeping the rest of your gear safe? Consider a good camera bag to be an investment. The best ones last eons – I still have my first ever after 15 years…
LOWEPRO PROTACTIC BP 450 AW II - £269
Lowepro has a long and storied history in camera bags. From the cheap shoulder-mounted day trippers to packs like this one. It’s designed purely for gear, so there isn’t a lot of space for personal items, but if you want to make it all about the kit, this is a great pick!
With a 25l capacity and removable dividers, you can pack 1-2 camera bodies (one with an attached 70-200mm) have space left of pair of wide angles to hedge your bets.
That leaves you with some extra space for accessories, like ND filters, batteries and memory cards. It also boasts 4-point access (top, rear and both sides) to let you grab your camera quick.
For long hikes there’s a tripod holder (which you have to attach top the webbing as and when you need) and a cover keeps the rain at bay. It’s got ‘FormShell technology’ which makes it both light but extremely durable. It’s also made from 63% recycled material and solution-dyed fabrics. Save the environment so you can enjoy it longer!
There isn’t a slip to store your water bottle, but the waist belt allows you to slide on accessories. Included are a bottle pouch and the tripod system.
It’s not cheap, but it will last you if all you want to carry is photography kit!
ND FILTERS: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY DO YOU NEED THEM?
There’s a lot of histrionics around ND filters. Some people say they are essential. Others tell you that long exposure waterfalls look like sour milk and ultra-long exposures are just plain unnatural.
However, there are plenty of in-camera effects you just can’t get right in the edit. Long trails of silky clouds, perfectly smooth running water and lakes with zero reflections are all benefits of filters (the last one is a circular polarising filter, though). So yes, a true landscape photography essential accessory!
On the flip side, some people eschew Photoshop or Lightroom’s gradient tool and demand you use a graduated filter for darker skies… and others are like me!
First off, I’m not a fan of ND grads (the top half of the filter is darker than the bottom. They’re used to darken areas of your scene, typically the sky. The thing is, they darken everything that fall in them so you often end up with tops of trees and mountains that become suspiciously darker, as well as your sky. In 2024 it’s so easy to do in post production that I don’t like them. That said, they are beloved by old-school shooters.
What I do agree with is that every landscape photographer should have four filters. A circular polariser (cuts down reflections on water and creates better contrast in the sky. Then 3, 6 and 10-stop filters just to make sure they have the option of cranking out a long exposure in day time.
Below is my personal favourite brand of NDs, but others may have their own. What I look for most is good transmission (crisp details when shooting through additional glass), a decent mounting system and as close to zero colour cast as possible!
These kits don’t come cheap (and you don’t ant to cheap out on a good ND filter. You do need to buy the filter holder, which will come with a removable circular polariser. From here you can either buy a kit of CDs or pick up singles as you wish. Just make sure they’re the right fit!
And because I’m on your side, I’ve included one cheap option that will get you there and is extremely easy to use!
NISI 100MM V7 FILTER HOLDER KIT WITH TRUE COLOUR CPL - £199
There are plenty of options, but NiSi are a great brand and beloved by many photographers. They’re also relatively mid-budget for ND filters, so this is a great place to start looking.
This is just the basic filter holder kit, so you don’t get any additional IDs. However, it does come with a removable circular polarising filter, which is a must-have.
It’s a 100mm filter holder, meaning you need to make sure all filters you buy fit 100mm. You get three step-down rings (67, 72 and 77mm) which you’ll need to screw to the front of your lens. If your lens thread diameter is different to above, step-down rings are pretty cheap and easily sourced on Amazon.
There’s slots for up to three 100mm filters, so you can stack if needed, and the CPL and be rotated easily from the filter’s exterior, even when you’re rocking filters.
As they say, you can’t go wrong with a Nisi.
NISI ND FILTERS LONG EXPOSURE KIT - £245
Nisi does a range of ND filter kits at varying prices, so it’s worth checking out what suits you best. However, the long exposure kit has exactly what I’d be looking for form an all-round starter kit.
You get a 3-stop, 6-stop and 10-stop 100m filters. The 3-stop is great for beating down the sun a bit or blurring water in darker conditions. 10 stops and you silky smooth water in most bright conditions and is the most common ‘big stopper’ strength you’ll see in the wild.
They have a whole range of coatings to deal with flare, IR and UV. They’re also scratch-resistant and water and oil repellent.
Niki say it’s 100% colour cast-free. It’s virtually flour cast free, but you may notice some very slight blueness creeping in, if at all. Otherwise, it’s pretty true to claim and you should really be getting your white balance corrected either in-camera or on the edit.
Overall, this is a brilliant kit and all 90% of us will ever need. Don’t forget to pair it with the filter holder above!
K&F CONCEPT VARIABLE ND2-32 (NANO-X-SERIES) - £38 - 100 DEPENING ON SIZE
Remember when I said don’t cheap out? Well, this is the cheap version… and don’t tell anyone, it’s actually better than it should be!
The price ranges depending on your lens’ filter diameter (if you don’t know, google your lens + ‘filter diameter’, it’ll be way to find in the specs).
It’s a screw on filter that you can rotate to increase or decrease the strength of the ND. You can cycle between 1-5 stops (the higher then number the darker it is).
It’s also got a whole bunch of coatings and a very minimal colour cast. The images still retain their sharpness as well.
A bit issue with many variable ND filters is a weird X that appears across the filter at the higher settings. Thankfully this one doesn’t have that so it’s good to use for the whole range.
Is it as ‘pro’ as a 10-stop and filter holder? No. Do you have to buy multiple ones for different lens diameters? Yes. Is it a bit of an ingenious hack if you only have one lens and want cheap versatility? God yes!
Enjoy!
RANDOM LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORIES YOU SHOULD REALLY CONSIDER
Now we’ve gone over the usual suspects, it’s time to get a bit freaky and go off-piste. Cameras, lenses, filters, a tripod and a bag to fit them in is essential, but never forget the creature comforts.
These are the extras that you probably should pack, but often forget. How many times have you thought you’d work the wrong footwear or would kill for a cuppa? Well, that’s the kind of stuff you’ll find here – you’re welcome!
THERMOS STAINLESS KING FLASK - £24
Someone mention a cuppa? Look, I don’t do tea, coffee or other hot drinks, but even I know the virtue of a cuppa soup on a freezing cold day! Whatever your poison, you need to make sure it’s portable!
With a 1.2l capacity (~4 mugs-worth), included cup/lid and thermos tech that keeps hot hot and cold cold for 24 hours, this will see you through most single-day sessions.
And if you’re wondering what significance the handle has, it’s simple. If you don’t have space in your backpack for this, you can use one of the many straps to loop through and secure. Am I really an idiot? You decide!
OUTDOOR RESEARCH HELIUM BIVVY - £220
Bivvy? Them there’s camping words! Yep, them are! Why a glorified sleeping bag? Simple, landscape photography can mean a lot of late nights, early morning and waiting around, why not be comfortable while doing it?
A bivvy is the perfect stopgap for wild camping photographers. It’s not as heavy or bulky as a tent (484g excluding bag), but it keeps the wind and light drizzles at bay (this one is water-resistant).
There won’t be enough room for your gear, but a good waterproof bag in the wilderness should be safe enough. You can also drop the head covering, while keeping the mosquito mesh up, and keep an eye on it. Oh, did I mention it comes in multiple colour lines??
Overall, this isn’t a must-have, until you’ve realised the benefits, then. You will thank me for it.
BERGHAUS MEN'S HILLWALKER INTERACTIVE JACKET - FROM £125
A good waterproof jacket isn’t just a landscape photography accessory, it’s a must for the British weather at the best of times. But when it comes to a hobby that’s solely outdoors, this is double true.
This comes from Berghaus, a company with a great reputation, and is perfect for summer landscape photographers. It’s made from two-layer GORE-TEX 2 L Performance Shell and boldly claims to offer 100% waterproof!
While it will bat wind away like a champ, it’s breathable so you won’t overheat. If you want to turn it into more of a three-season piece, you can buy inner layers to zip right on in.
It features very thing you’d expect. Roll-away hood? Check. Exterior pockets? Check. Interior chest pocket with zip? Oh yes!
SEALSKIN WATERPROOF ALL-WEATHER SPORTING GLOVE - FROM £40
Gloves come into the same category as jackets, like the Berghuas above. But, dear photographer, we have a particular set of requirements. Chiefly, we need fine control and love a touchscreen. You could look to a sub-par ‘screen touch’ glove, but else offer a different solution.
I first picked up a pair for clay shooting and the special feature is a removable trigger finger. This is great for popping off an over’n’under, but is also perfect for hitting your shutter button of twiddling control dials.
As a basic glove, it’s brilliant. Its three-layer construction means it’s 100% waterproof, windproof and breathable. This may not be suited to the peak of summer, but it’s ideal for the other seasons.
It also features a goat suede palm that provides durability, grip and enables precise control, Not to mention the pre curved fingers for greater control.
I love these gloves for shooting, but especially for shooting!
ASAB PORTABLE CAMPING STOVE - £25
Look, camping stoves are much of a muchness. They all do the same thing. They all cost around the same and they all have the same features – on, off and gas can!
I picked this one because it has the best Amazon reviews, with over 1100 5-star reviews.
Whether you’re wanting to top up your thermos, eat a hot camping breakfast or just hide from the wife, this will do you fine.
It comes with 4 gas cans included, but you can grab more here.
MILESTONE 2L WHISTLING CAMPING KETTLE - £11
As above. It’s a camping kettle, it costs 11 quid and it comes with nearly 4k Amazon ratings with an average of 4.6.
Oh, and it’s light, it whistles and it’s shiny, too. What more do you need for 2l of hot beverages? Sounds like a landscape photography accessory you need to me!
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