Today And Tomorrow

That's not philosophy talking - that's commerce. Today and tomorrow are the last shopping days until Christmas 2022. If you have sorted out all the photographers on your list already - ordered new cameras and lenses for them months ago and have all the new equipment safely wrapped and under the tree - well good for you. You can pop the top on a can of soda water and celebrate sensibly. If you are just coming to realise that you need to get something for the photographers and today might be a good idea, we are here to help. The just-released 200 megapixel Flapoflex Extravaganza X camera that you saw on the internet last night might be a bit ambitious but there are still a lot of more modest choices in the shop. a. Memory cards. Big, little, inexpensive, eye-wateringly dear...we have them all. No photographer is ever unhappy to have a fresh one to either put in the camera or keep in the gadget bag. Ask or spy to find which size their camera takes and write it down. b. Film. Well, a lot of people still use it and again it is never a bad choice. If they still have a 35mm or 120 film camera go to the fridge in the shop and grab a couple of rolls. c. Flash powder. For the big banquet photos. Ground yourself before opening the packet. One spark and you'll look like Beeker on the Muppet show... d. A little tripod. Or a big tripod. - depending upon which one they already have. You get the opposite size and they'll think you are magic. Buy a good one. e. Lens Cleanse optical cleaning kits. 12 sealed packets that will clean about 5 lenses each. Top-notch product. f. An electronic shutter release. Whether it's a cable or a wireless type, your photographer friend will get sharper shots straight away. g. A Novoflex folding tool set for camera screws and studs. If they ever need it - once - and have it becauase you gave it to them, they will bless you forever. h. A roll of gaffer tape. Don't laugh. ALL photographers need gaffer tape ALL the time. i. They print their pictures? Buy 'em a packet of paper. j. An LED panel to light up their phone pictures or video shots with the regular camera. There are lots of small ones that charge off of USB ports and slip into a pocket. If you get the type that change colours expect to see a lot of off-colour shots over the holiday period, but eventually the new shooter will come to terms with the thing. All these items are welcomed by photographers and do not look like news agency last-minute desperation buys. You'll be doing enough of that already. Plus it's easier to get into Camera Electronic than fight your way through the crowds at the local Dan Murphy and you're less likely to get a dented car door parking out front of our place than the average shopping centre.