Other photo tools

Tool or item

Use

Penknife

Whether a simple one blade penknife or a multipurpose "Swiss Army" knife, always handy. Remove before traveling on airlines.

Electricians Tape

Duct (Duck) tape

Gaffers Tape

Preferred tape of photographers as it comes off easily and leaves little or no residue

Flashlight

For night shooting a small flashlight is a must. To conserve night vision, the addition of a red filter is recommended. A larger flashlight can be used for light painting.

Caribiners

Small and regular size to gang things, clip them to your pack, keep them from bumping, etc.

Garbage bag

Before coming in to the warmth from cold weather, put your entire photo bag into the plastic bag. Force out all of the air and twist tight. Bring inside and let rise to room temp over an hour or so. Prevents condensation.

Coins

As a screwdriver for battery compartments, to make payphone calls and for parking meters.

Leatherman tool (multipurpose)

Great multi tool for all reasons

Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil

Headaches, sprains happen

Band aids

Cuts

Pad of paper, Pencil, Pen

Note taking

Business Cards

You never know when contact info should be exchanged

Model Release Forms

If shots might be published, sold, etc.

Invoice blanks

If invoicing for payment occurs on site

Proposal blanks (or pro-forma invoices)

If a proposal for services is made on site

Small screwdrivers

Camera parts sometimes come loose for mysterious reasons

Condom (non-lubed)

Protect camera lens from rain (Ok, won't work with an 80-200 f/2.8 ... but smaller lenses..) Also to store a variety of small odds and ends and keep them dry.

Long twist ties

To hang things or to hold together. Fishing for dropped parts.

Double sided (tape) Velcro strips

To hold up backdrops and a million other things

Wide elastic bands (like the ones used to tie asparagus at the supermarket)

Help with stuck filters

Pliers (apart from Leatherman)

Scissors

Might be built into the larger Swiss Army knives

Knife

A larger knife for some situations is useful

Exacto Knife

For precise cutting of foam boards, paper props, etc.

Red lens cover for flashlight

Conserves night vision

Split rings on packs for caribiners

Add to packs and bags so caribiners can be quickly used

Baby wipes

Hands can get dirty, this is a quick cleanup. Impromptu portraits of kids (of all ages) may need a quick face/hand wash

Small Level

For landscape, architecture shots (anything needing a 'level' camera) Levels that fit the flash accessory bracket are available

Tape measure

Documentary shots; measuring materials on location.

Spring clamps

A bit bulky, but can be used to hold things in place

Disposable rain poncho

In case of rain, or as a sun shade, reflector, scrim, gobo.

String (heavy, light)

More prop material

Foam core art board

Mounting, refletors, gobo, background

Mini bungee cords

More prop material and can be used to hold things together

Bungee cords

As above. Can also be used attached to tripod with weight of foot to add stability by pressing to ground

Ziplock bags (large)

Protect parts from moisture/condensation/dirt

Compass, Sun Compass

With maps to orient and navigate. A sun compass is not as practical in most cases

Memo/Tape recorder

A compact memo recorder is great for taking notes on exposure, location details, etc.

Paper towels/napkins/towels

Cleanups are always around the corner. Sitting models in certain places may require protecting their clothes. A towel is extra padding to protect gear. Can also be used as a rest for long focal length and or long shutter speed shots

Umbrella

Protect your equipment (you too if there's room!) from unexpected rain

Can be used to block light from reaching the lens and causing flare

Sunscreen

Don't get burned. Note that some sunscreens may damage camera parts and optical coatings

Bug repellant

Warning: Some bug repellents may damage camera parts and optical coatings

Ground pad

If a lot of sitting, squatting, lying down is in your photo day.

Fire starter

This is more in the 'survival' category

Lighter, matches

C'mon baby light my fire...

Snake bite kit

C'mon baby suck my bite...

Cord

More prop support

Monofilament (fishing line)

Prop support or you never know what may be biting

Straight pins

Props and clothing repair

Mints, Clorrets

Be kind

Tampons

At weddings or other social events be the hero.

Rubber tubing

Great to tie down props

Safety pins

Props and clothing repair

Tie wraps (self locking)

Very secure attachments

Mirror

Various uses from weddings to survival

Water bottle (collapsible)

Don't get dehydrated

Water treatment tablets

If you need to drink from the wild, running water (a stream or fast river) is cleaner than a pond or lake. Use water treatment tablets to avoid the revenge of local ghosts. Boiling water for 20 minutes is effective too.

First aid kit

Even a small kit will help for those cuts and abrasions that occur on a hike or location shoot

Orange safety tape

Mark dangerous areas, signal for help

Compact Fishing Kit

Another in the 'survival' category

Hand warmer

Chemical based pouch where you 'snap' a metal part, and the pouch releases heat for an hour or so. Pouch can be restored by simply boiling it in water

Space blanket

Beyond the survival category (conserve heat, signal), can be used as a reflector or gobo.

Coin like variable thickness screwdriver

Coin-screwdriver

Box cutter

Very sharp knife for various uses

Lint removal roller

Someone always shows up with lint

Index cards

Record info, people's e-mail addresses, etc

Water sprayer

Dewy water shots of flowers and spider webs

GPS

Navigate, record points of interest

Machete

Nature shooting sometimes requires cutting out a 'niche'. Survival tool too.

Flint & steel

Survival category (fire starter)

Folded piece of aluminum foil or a whole roll in the lighting props bag

As a reflector, gobo, signaler, to keep things in, etc, etc.

Party noise maker

Survival, to signal to group, to warn large animals that you are coming (they'd rather avoid you)

Compact high energy food

Long days and treks require food

Spare eye glasses

In case you lose/break a pair

Sharpie (permanent marker pen)

Writes on many surfaces, including the film canister that you just underexposed by two stops and consequently needs a 'push'

Allen wrench (Allen keys)

Part of tripod adjustments in the field

"Surefire" torch

Very quick fire starter

Short brass tube

Use as a blower

Sewing kit

Shower cap (cheap hotel giveaway type)

Protect gear in rain

Handkerchief with name/home address

Expose first frame with mailing data in case film gets lost in processing.

Bean bag

Lens stabilizer

Sun hat

Knee pads (a la construction worker)

Low level work is a pain...

Tweezers

Silverized windscreen protector

Use as fill light reflector or gobo

Avery labels

Maps

6 inch (15cm) ruler

Usually for documenting. Place in image with subject

4 way screwdriver

Another multitool

Kleenex

Emory boards

to clean battery terminals/contacts

Super glue

You never know what might need a quick repair

White pantyhose

Weddings (the hero role again)

Section of black pantyhose

quickie softening filter (use rubber band to hold it in place)

Sewing needle

Thread (black, white, grey, blue)

Bottle opener

Often in "Swiss Army" knives and there are still bottled products that don't have twist off caps

Corkscrew

Again, often in Swiss Army knives. During breaks, du pain, du vin et du Boursin is a nice way to relax.

Toothbrush, tooth paste

After the pain, vin et Boursin

small combination lock

Where lockers may be provided

Florists wire

strong, non marking wire to hang things

A short length of old film leader

to retrieve film leaders from rewound (oops) canisters

Thermos

Preferably with something to drink in it

Spare shoe/boot laces

They break too, usually at the worst time

Small step ladder

Could be part of a rolling toolbox