Nature Photography How To

When professional landscape photographer Ian Plant says there are “five photo accessories I never leave home without,” we stop and pay attention. That’s because of his unique approach to shooting in the field.

Avid landscape photographers are known for carrying a lot of gear, but Plant takes a different approach when trekking into the backcountry—keeping his kit as minimal as possible. In addition to his camera and a couple of lenses, he typically limits himself to five accessories he says are, “the most important part of my landscape photography workflow.”

It shouldn’t come as surprise that a sturdy, yet lightweight, carbon fiber tripod is at the top of Plant’s list. This essential piece of gear guarantees sharp results by keeping a camera steady during long exposures under low-light situations or when using small apertures to maximize depth of field.

A less familiar accessory that has a permanent spot in Plant’s bag is a simple L-bracket with an Arca-Swiss compatible plate. This simple device cradles the camera and is compatible with most tripods—enabling you to instantly switch between vertical and horizontal orientation while keeping the camera directly above the tripod’s center of gravity for maximum stability.

You’ll also see why Plant always carries a remote shutter release, and how he uses it when precise timing is important, such as when photographing waves crashing on the shore. He also explains how he employs a polarizing filter to remove glare and reflections, thereby enhancing color and contrast while darkening pale blue skies.

Last but not least, Plant explains why “my smartphone has become a critical landscape photography accessory.” He packs his phone with helpful apps for safe navigation, keeping abreast of the weather, precise astrophotography, location scouting, and more.

Not only does Plant reveal the accessories he can’t live without, he explains how to use them to capture better images while making outdoor photography more convenient.

You can find more tips and tricks on the Photo Masters instructional YouTube channel, to be sure to pay a visit and subscribe.”