Maybe you want to up your social media presence, take home tactile memories of special moments or simply glorify a four-wheeled art piece with the sort of reverent devotion it commands. Whichever bracket you fall into, there is no bad time to up your snapping game.
Of course, it starts with the camera. Many of these can be picked up new or second-hand, contemporary or old school, for a reasonable price. However, to really take your snapping to the next level, it’s all about the accessories.
Some extras may at first appear a bit superfluous or unnecessary, but a few cheap pieces will allow you to capture moments in comfort while protecting your tools and upping the end result. For anyone wanting to take motoring photography seriously, a few camera accessories are a must.
Not sure where to start? We’ve put together a few products from different ends of the camera accessory spectrum for you to check out, from cleaning kits to lens filters and more. Check out our guide to camera accessories below.
The best camera bag for travelling
We’d recommend picking up a camera bag first. A bag will not only make carrying your camera around easier but protect your investment from the elements, too. For anyone taking their camera on the go, a camera bag is imperative for its safety.
This example from LowePro features a comfortable grip and padded shoulder strap, meaning your camera can be toted around all day without fatigue. Like most other camera bags, this example includes a built-in organiser within the bag for easy access to your camera, lenses and any other accessories you may have picked. There are hundreds of examples out there, but this is a good place to start.
The best filters for car photography
We’ve probably all trialled a synthetic camera filter at some point or another, but these ones are the real deal. A filter will enhance certain colours picked up by your camera’s lens, creating an ambience and promoting a mood within the photo through the vibrant hues.
This lens filter from K and F is made of high-end Japanese optical glass, reducing light from 1 to 8.66 stops, making this filter particularly useful when capturing shots of rivers and waterfalls in strong light, or getting creative with long exposures on moving cars and motorcycles. Not the one you’re after? There are plenty more filters in the K&F range with varying colour pallets.
The best tripod for car photography
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For anyone wanting to capture photographs with slow-speed exposures or with extra-long focal length lenses, you’ll need a tripod. With slow exposure speeds, any movement of the camera itself – even the smallest nudge – will lead to a blur in the photo. A tripod, set in the preferred position, will keep your camera rock steady for a clean end result. They’re also great for timed pictures if the person behind the lens suddenly wishes to be in front of it.
This tripod is built from military magnesium allows for corrosion resistance – perfect for weathering the elements. At 1.5KG, this is also a very light piece with 360-degree rotation and is collapsible for portability.
The best tripod for portability
A monopod works similarly to a tripod, but as the name would suggest, only uses one leg. A monolithic structure benefits the portability of the unit, but also requires only a single patch of ground space to stand on. This greatly expedites the set-up or transport process between shots, but since two of the legs have been removed, this comes at the cost of stability when set up.
For this reason, we would recommend a monopod for anyone looking to take quick snaps on the go, say, around an event. If you want to set up in a single position then let the camera do the rest of the work, a tripod is the way to go.
This five-section monopod is made from carbon fibre, making it strong but ultra-light. It has a max load of 12kg as well as a comfortable sponge grip and safety strap so you can shoot in comfort with a reliable leaning post all day.
A camera mount will allow you to secure your camera in an elevated position, clamping to a solid surface from which the camera can point in almost any direction. Camera mounts are especially useful for capturing video from moving vehicles if you’re looking to get into motoring videography. This camera mount from Fantaseal is built from high-grade aluminium all and stainless steel to protect against the elements.
This mount is attachable via a clip, with non-slip rubber pads inside to improve adhesion and friction with the subject surface. They’re also non-scratch and can be used on branches, poles and railings. The mount itself is compatible with a range of camera types, including GoPros and DSLR cameras.
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Best camera cleaning kit
If you’ve bought the camera, you’ll want to keep it clean. Getting rid of dust and dirt from a camera can be tricky without damaging it – especially the lens. Without the proper tools you may end up in more trouble than you started with, but this kit from K&F has it all.
This 23-in-1 kit has several different purposes within the greater task of camera cleaning. Included are sensor cleaning swabs, microfibre cloths and even anti-static gloves. What we like most about this kit, however, is the air blower tube for removing dust from the lest. Simply wiping dust may cause scratches on the lens glass that could later turn up on your photos. The air blower is designed to remove the dust without any firm contact – scratch free.
Best camera strap
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If you’re taking your camera with you on a trip but don’t want to be constantly pulling it out of its bag, you’ll want a decent strap to hang around your neck or shoulder. Camera straps come in all different shapes and sizes but look for padding features as these will improve comfort throughout the day. This Leica branded camera strap is a stylish solution for camera portability, made from repurposed paracord rope with a hand-braided construction for carrying your camera in comfort.
Still hunting for that perfect car-ready camera?
Camera, cameras everywhere, but which one is worth picking up? This is a question everyone with even a passing interest in automotive photography has pondered. Smartphones can fit the bill for a short while, but eventually, something more substantial is required.
To help you discover the best camera for your need - i.e carrying all the tech needed to grab stunning stills or videos of beautiful vehicles - we've rounded up the best car photography cameras from three big names: Canon, Nikon and Sony.
Read here: The best cameras from Canon | The best cameras from Nikon | The best cameras from Sony