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7 ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORIES FOR BEGINNERS

By Barry Peacock
Updated Aug 12, 2023


Photography is all about talent and creativity. However, the best photography
accessories for beginners can make things a lot easier.

Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our
site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

Welcome to the world of photography, and what a great choice you have made for a
new hobby. Once you have your new camera and lens or lenses, you’ll be itching
to get straight into creating beautiful images.

However, it’s not as easy as pointing and shooting. To get the
professional-grade photos you so admire, you need technical know-how on top of
an eye for a good picture. Having the right accessories can go a long way to
helping you achieve the shots you know you have in you.

Here's a look at some crucial photography accessories for beginners.

 * MANFROTTO BEFREE ADVANCED TRIPOD
   
   Best Overall
   $190 at Amazon

 * UNDERSTANDING EXPOSURE: HOW TO SHOOT GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS WITH ANY CAMERA
   
   Best Book
   $21 at Walmart

 * SANDISK EXTREME PRO UHS-I SDXC MEMORY CARD
   
   Best Memory Card
   $68 at Amazon

 * PEAK DESIGN EVERYDAY SLING 10L
   
   Best Camera Bag
   See at Amazon

 * GIOTTOS AA1920 ROCKET AIR BLASTER
   
   Most Affordable
   $16 at Walmart
 * See More

 * YONGNUO YN560 IV
   
   Best External Flash
   $80 at Walmart

 * K&F CONCEPT LENS FILTER KIT
   
   Best Filters
   $30 at Newegg


CRUCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORIES FOR NEWBIES IN 2023

MANFROTTO BEFREE ADVANCED TRIPOD

Best Overall

The Most Essential Accessory for Newbies

$190 $227 Save $37

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod is an excellent choice for newbies. It's
lightweight and durable, easy to operate, and has subtle features, such as twist
locks on the legs, that make it a good choice for beginners to the world of
photography. The versatile ball head can also accommodate all genres if you
haven't yet decided on your specialty.


Pros
 * Durable
 * Easy-to-use twist locks
 * Versatile ball head
 * Portable

Cons
 * Heavier than carbon-fiber models

$190 at Amazon $190 at Walmart

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod may have an intimidating name for
beginners, but it is, in fact, simple to operate. It reaches a maximum height of
59 inches and can get down as low as just under 16 inches. This lowest height
makes it a good shout for beginners who want to explore the world of macro
photography.

This model features twist locks, which is a better choice for beginners than the
models with lever locks. They are more durable, easier to use, and also don’t
protrude as much, making the tripod less cumbersome for travel.

The aluminum body may not be as lightweight as the carbon fiber model, but it is
solid and durable and can withstand the rigors a beginner might initially put
the tripod through. It has a safety payload of 17.6lbs, which is ample enough
for most cameras and large lenses, and includes a ball head, which is also a
good choice for newbies.

Ball heads offer more versatility to those still unsure about their photography
style, and they are pretty simple to use. The 494 ball head that comes with the
BeFree Advanced has three independent controls with different functions. One
controls how easily the camera moves (friction), another allows smooth panning,
and the third secures the camera in place.

UNDERSTANDING EXPOSURE: HOW TO SHOOT GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS WITH ANY CAMERA

Best Book

An Essential Book for Photography Noobs

$24 $27 Save $3

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is an excellent starting point for
photography novices that seek to develop their skills quickly. It explains
photography principles in an easy-to-understand manner and clearly explains all
the technical jargon. 


Pros
 * Hard and digital copies available
 * Photos clearly explain how images were created
 * Useful practical exercises

Cons
 * Some sections are out of date

$24 at Amazon $21 at Walmart

As a beginner, you need valuable resources to help you better understand
composition, depth of field, and other crucial aspects of creating beautiful
images. This book by Bryan Peterson will do just that and introduce the
fundamental concepts of aperture, lighting, and shutter speed.

It’s an easy, inspirational read put forth in a straightforward manner with any
technical jargon clearly explained. Beginners and intermediate shutterbugs
looking to improve their skills will find this an asset to which you will
frequently return.

The book is illustrated with an abundance of beautiful yet practical photos.
They explain the author’s concepts with the helpful inclusion of exposure
settings and lenses used in each. There are also numerous exercises scattered
throughout the book to encourage you to put your learning into practice.

It serves as an excellent starting point for anyone’s photography endeavors and
is available in hardcover, paperback, or eTextbook formats.

SANDISK EXTREME PRO UHS-I SDXC MEMORY CARD

Best Memory Card

A Fast SD Card for Frustration-Free Storage

$68 $74 Save $6

A solid and reliable memory card is essential when starting out in photography.
Having higher storage gives you more time in the field, while the read and write
speeds of the SanDisk Extreme Pro save you time and frustration and assist you
in quality burst-mode shooting and UHD movies.


Pros
 * Fast read and write speeds
 * A variety of storage spaces available
 * Highly Durable
 * Recovery software included

Cons
 * Pricey

$68 at Amazon $70 at Newegg $105 at Best Buy

As a beginner to the art, you’ll want a memory card with high storage space. You
could get a smaller one, but then you’ll spend a lot of time sifting through
your photos, deleting the ones you don’t want, and transferring to your laptop.
This is time you could be dedicating to your newfound passion.

SanDisk is one of the more revered card brands around. It has a solid reputation
for making reliable products. Their memory cards are ubiquitous in camera stores
and electronic retailers worldwide. The SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC is one of
the fastest on the market, with read speeds up to 200mb/s and write speeds
achieving 140mb/s.

With these speeds, you can practice burst-mode action photography without delay
and record 4K video without lag. With the inclusion of Quickflow Technology,
transferring your images and videos to your laptop is also rapid, while playback
is smooth. And, once you are at the stage of editing your high-resolution
videos, the faster write speed ensures your videos save quickly.

This card is also a bit of a monster when it comes to the elements. If you plan
on taking your new hobby to extreme environments, the SanDisk Extreme Pro can
resist water, shocks, x-rays, and high temperatures. Not only that, but it comes
with RescuePro Deluxe recovery software. You can easily rescue any files you
accidentally delete–a common occurrence when starting out in the world of
photography.

PEAK DESIGN EVERYDAY SLING 10L

Best Camera Bag

An Essential Camera Bag for All Your Essential Gear

A camera bag is an essential accessory for beginners to photography. The Peak
Design Everyday Sling is the ideal choice with its 10L volume, durability, and
versatility. It will house your camera and lenses, as well as securely hold your
tripod with its sturdy external straps.


Pros
 * Water-resistant
 * Stylish and durable design
 * Easy-adjusting straps
 * Room for two lenses
 * External straps for a tripod

Cons
 * Pricey

See at Amazon

The Peak Design Everyday Sling is a 10L bag perfect for carrying your camera and
accessories, or it can even double as a daypack when you’re not snapping away.
It’s made from durable materials and is weather resistant should you get caught
in inclement weather. However, be sure to have a waterproof cover or get the bag
out of the rain once it starts, as its IPX4 rating won’t protect your gear for
long.

It will hold any type of camera and up to two lenses. In addition, you can also
squeeze in some small accessories and a laptop or tablet up to 13 inches in
size. It also features external straps perfect for holding your tripod and a
sling with seamless adjusters for optimum comfort and security.

The side-loading main compartment provides easy access to your bulky gear, while
there’s also an outer pocket you can expand to accommodate more. The internal
FlexFold dividers allow for creative compartmentalizing and stacking. And there
are also numerous little pockets inside for small items like a cable release or
spare battery.

GIOTTOS AA1920 ROCKET AIR BLASTER

Most Affordable

A Tiny Blaster for Tiny Particles

The Giottas Rocket Air Blaster is a small, lightweight accessory essential for
camera and lens care. As opposed to a microfiber cloth, this device simply blows
dust and debris away from those critical areas to help maintain functionality
and boost the longevity of your gear.


Pros
 * Small and lightweight
 * Durable rubber construction
 * One-way valve prevents dust redistribution
 * Quick-release air stream
 * Doubles as a keyboard cleaner

Cons
 * Won't take care of streaks and smudges

See at Amazon $16 at Walmart

This lens cleaner is one of those simple, small accessories essential to both
beginners and professional photographers alike. The AA1920 Rocket Air Blaster is
small, lightweight, and has a thin 2-inch nozzle to help access those
hard-to-reach places. A simple squeeze produces a blast of air that blows away
harmful dust and debris from your lens and sensor.

While microfiber cloths are a good choice for smudges, they aren’t the best idea
for dust and debris. When using them, you effectively drag those tiny particles
across the lens, which opens it up to potential damage. This cleaner ensures
minute nuisances get blown away, while it also features a one-way valve that
prevents the dust from getting sucked back inside, thus preventing any annoying
redistribution.

YONGNUO YN560 IV

Best External Flash

An Excellent External Flash for Standalone or Complex Setups

The Yongnuo YN560 IV is a wireless flash speedlite ideal for both beginners and
experienced photographers. You can use it as a command center for a series of
flashes, as a member of a complex flash setup, or simply as a standalone unit. 


Pros
 * 3-second recycle time
 * 24-105mm zoom support
 * -7 to 90-degree tilt and 270-degree swivel
 * Automatically saves your settings

Cons
 * Interface takes a bit of practice
 * No TTL metering

$85 at Amazon $80 at Walmart $88 at Newegg

Beginners will quickly find that using a camera’s built-in flash doesn’t produce
the best results. You have limited control over direction and intensity, while
the lighting can be harsh and produce red-eye effects. An external flash gives
you more power and features, as well as more flexibility and creative potential.
You can even link external flashes together for more complex setups.

The Yongnuo YN560 IV is an affordable wireless flash speedlite that doesn’t
compromise on build or performance. It's simple to use for beginners, but as you
develop your skills, you can gain manual control over complicated flash setups.

You can use it as a master (control unit) or slave (controlled by a master unit)
in an extended setup or as a standalone flash. As a master unit, you can
simultaneously control the modes and power outputs of up to three flashes. It’s
designed to work in this mode with Yongnuo YN560 III and IV flashes. However, in
slave mode, it’s compatible with other Yongnuo flashes and some 3rd party
wireless transmitters, including RF-602 and RF-603 (I/II).

Its wireless trigger system is compatible with all the leading camera brands.
You can trigger it with your camera’s built-in flash, a 2.4GHz wireless
transmitter, or S1/S2 pre-flash cancel modes.

K&F CONCEPT LENS FILTER KIT

Best Filters

A Fantastic Lens Filter Kit for Beginners

The K&F Concept Lens Filter Kit is an essential starter pack of filters for
beginners. It contains three crucial filters, including a UV filter, a CPL
polarizer, and an ND4, to get you kick-started and on your way to high-quality
images.


Pros
 * High-quality materials
 * Pouch and cleaning cloth included
 * Affordable

Cons
 * Stiff filters can be tough to remove

$36 at Amazon $30 at Newegg

This lens filter kit from K&F Concept contains three essential filters for
photography novices. The first is a UV filter that protects your lens from
ultraviolet rays, which can lead to long-term degradation. When shooting in
bright environments or at high altitudes where sunlight is stronger, you should
attach this filter to your lens. It also reduces haze and maintains contrast.

The kit also contains a CPL polarizer which can reduce glare reflecting off
non-metallic surfaces, such as sunlight on the ocean or reflections on windows.
It also increases contrast and color saturation in specific shooting scenarios,
making your skies bluer and grasses greener.

The last filter is an ND4 that aids you in using slower shutter speeds and wider
apertures when shooting in bright conditions for long-exposure effects. The kit
comes complete with a microfiber cleaning cloth and a pouch. You should also
note that the filters come in various sizes, and you need to ensure you have the
right fit for the lens you will use the kit with before buying.




WHAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORIES IN 2023

The most pressing concern is how dedicated you are to your new hobby. It’s all
very well splashing out hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars on a
top-of-the-line camera, but if you give up after a few weeks, it’s a lot of
wasted money. This squandering will be even worse if you also splash out on
accessories that are only going to take up shelf space.

Take your time and learn your new hobby. You will enjoy it a lot more if you are
getting results. Learn how to use your new hardware effectively and take pride
in the results. If you have someone showing you the ropes, great! If not,
educate yourself. A book such as Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson will
go a long way to helping you understand the basics and get started.

However, you will most likely be very enthusiastic once you get going. You’ll be
shooting everything you deem to be interesting and then some! And, with most
good cameras recording 4K video, you’ll need an SD card with a lot of storage
space. The SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC has a storage space of up to 1TB and
has fast read and write speeds that ensure you can enjoy frustration-free
shooting, transferring, and editing.

Once you are in the swing of things, you’ll want to consider getting more
serious equipment. A tripod is easily the next step, and as a beginner, you’ll
want one that is simple to use. The Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Tripod is sturdy
and lightweight with simple twist locks and a versatile ball head. It’s perfect
for beginners and seasoned pros alike and comes with a reasonable price tag to
boot.

MANFROTTO BEFREE ADVANCED TRIPOD

Best Overall

The Most Essential Accessory for Newbies

$190 $227 Save $37

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod is an excellent choice for newbies. It's
lightweight and durable, easy to operate, and has subtle features, such as twist
locks on the legs, that make it a good choice for beginners to the world of
photography. The versatile ball head can also accommodate all genres if you
haven't yet decided on your specialty.


Pros
 * Durable
 * Easy-to-use twist locks
 * Versatile ball head
 * Portable

Cons
 * Heavier than carbon-fiber models

$190 at Amazon $190 at Walmart

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About The Author
Barry Peacock (93 Articles Published)


Barry has had a passion for all things tech-related ever since he was given a
Commodore Plus/4 computer as a child. Having spent most of his adult life
traveling, teaching, and writing—often combining all three—Barry considers
himself a "digital nomad." His current passion is travel gadgets, and he has
been writing buying guides for around a year.


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