These Are the Accessories Every Photographer Needs

No matter what gear you're moving, this bag has a thoughtful spot for it. Easy side-zip access, hidden straps for carrying tripods on the outside, study yet sustainable materials, and a lifetime warranty make it an easy pick.

Peak Design has managed to make an incredibly compact tripod that's perfect for shooting in the field. It deploys fast, and the carbon fiber construction makes it rigid enough to keep your camera steady.

When you're traveling light on a hike and you want to keep your camera separate from your pack, a dedicated camera base layer can do the trick. This one from Matador protects your camera while being easily accessible.

Nothing ruins a shot like stray dust on your lens. Keeping a cleaner handy will ensure your shots are speckle-free. LensPen makes a portable, easy-to-use accessory for handling last-minute touch-ups. One end hosts a soft brush, while the other has a firm cleaning tip.

A good flash is essential in making sure your subjects are bright and visible. Even if you have one, a second one off to the side can provide even lighting. Canon's Speedlite is compact enough for you to bring on the road, and the articulating body lets you bounce the light off whatever's convenient.

To keep your camera extensible, a cage provides loads of points to attach accessories. The SmallRig is perfect for cameras that are working overtime. It's sturdy and available for major DSLR and mirrorless models.

When you're shooting outside, bringing the light down without distorting the image can tease out lots of extra details. These QuartzLine Neutral Density Filters from PolarPro can fit the bill for a wide range of lens sizes and threading measurements. Even lighter filters are nice to have to prevent scratches to the lens proper.

You need a good strap while you're at a shoot. This keeps your camera at the ready at all times, even when you need your hands for something else. To that end, the Peak Design Slide is highly adjustable and super comfortable.

Sometimes you need to stay highly mobile, and a strap doesn't work. The Peak Design Clutch gives you added grip security. It's quick to adjust size and connects using an Anchor system that's compatible with many other Peak Design accessories.

It's easy to get lost in a mess of wires when packing up. This little case from Bellroy can keep everything stowed and organized for when you need it. On top of having magnetic clips and elastic pouches for everything you might need, it's also made from recycled fabric, which is good news for the environment.

A softbox can properly diffuse light in a large space. This helps avoid harsh shadows, which is particularly helpful with portraits. These are equally useful for improving video lighting. This 32-inch umbrella-style softbox folds up for easy stowage in its included carrying case.

Above all, you'll want to make sure your gear stays powered while in the field. A few back-up batteries will be helpful. To stay flexible, a reliable pack like the Omni 20+ can service just about any device you have on set, and top them up quickly.