Great Gifts for Local Photographers

Who isn't a photographer these days? Whether they use a mobile phone, a point and shoot camera or digital SLR, nearly everyone takes pictures of the things that they love. And why not? With digital photos, you don't pay for film or processing (annoyances that people under 20 don't even remember), so everyone is free to shoot as much as they want.

Here are some gift ideas for the photo fans on your Xmas list:

Flickr Pro ($24.95)
Flickr is more than just a site to share your photos on the web. It's an online community enabling photographers to meet other photogs and improve their skills. You can learn a lot from looking at other people's pictures and by joining groups devoted to particular interests and topics, including Washington, DC. 

PhotoJojo Store 
Want a coffee mug that looks like a camera lens? A camera decal for a laptop? How about a game of Monopoly but with your photos on the board? This site features a variety of incredibly inventive photo-themed gifts, most of which are fairly inexpensive.

iPhone 4G ($199)
The most popular camera on Flickr is not just a camera - it's the iPhone. The new model has a dramatically better camera that also shoots crystal-clear HD video. And with apps like CameraBag and ShakeItPhoto, you can create art good enough to hang in a gallery. InstantDC was a recent art show that featured only photos taken by mobile phones.

DCist Exposed 5th Year Anniversary Magazine ($25)
Donate $25 or more and get a copy of this work featuring some of the best local photography from the region. The magazine is five years' worth of photos from DCist Exposed shows. It will inspire anyone to get out there and take more pictures. (Full disclosure: I have a photo in the magazine.)

Canon Rebel T2i Kit ($799)
This is an 18.0-megapixel camera that's ideal for the advanced hobbyist photographer. Paired with an image-stabilized lens, it's very easy to use but also really flexible - you can get additional lenses, filters, flashes and mess with the camera's settings for years. It's bigger than a point and shoot but small and light enough to fit into a messenger bag, which makes it a good companion for walking around the city. It also shoots HD video.

VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography ($29.69)
Sooner or later, every avid photographer dreams of making a living at doing what they love. This is a very honest guide by David duChemin about "turning pro". He candidly discusses his mistakes and why he has persevered. His message is that there's not one path for everyone. He shares his journey toward life as a successful photographer as well as the stories of other professionals.

Brighten the holidays with one of these great gifts!