The holidays are always a fun and festive time of year, yet for many there’s a bit of disappointment when all the presents are unwrapped and you didn’t get whatever gadget you’d wanted so badly.  Yeah, I know - the holidays are all about family and friends, not gifts – but if we’re honest with one another the reality is that most of us enjoy giving and receiving presents.  If whatever you wanted didn’t find it’s way into your life, perhaps the list of goodies below will offer some consolation in these dark times.

Guy Tal’s Photography e-Books > Endeavor to learn some new printing or creative photography techniques in the new year with Guy’s reasonably priced, beautifully illustrated e-books that are chock full of useful information.

Jim Goldstein’s Photographing the 4th Dimension – Time, an e-Book > Another wonderful e-book, this one focused on long exposure photography techniques such as star trails, light painting, time-lapse photography and more.

The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches National Park > My e-book, sold through the NatureScapes online store, provides you with all you need to know to photograph 19 of my favorite locations in Arches National Park.

William Neill’s e-Book Collection > One of my favorite past times is exploring the work of photographers whose images inspire me.  It’s also a great way to nurture your creative spirit.  Bill’s e-Books provide cover to cover inspiration, and I’m especially in love with Impressions of Light. 

Nik Software Lightroom & Photoshop Plug-Ins > Everybody knows I love the Nik Software Complete Collection.  Every image I process is touched by Viveza 2 and most continue on to Color Efex Pro 3.  All black and white images are created with Silver Efex Pro 2.  Nik’s plug-ins are easy to use, incredibly powerful and provide outstanding results.  Use coupon code “BEDGE” to receive a 15% discount on your purchase at the Nik Online Store.

Acratech Ultimate Ballhead > There is no finer ballhead for outdoor photographers.  The Acratech Ultimate Ballhead is built like a tank, yet weighs less than a pound.  They withstand years of abuse and never freeze, fail or let you down when you need it the most.

Canon Powershot S100 > I’ve been using the Canon S95 for almost two years and I love it.  The S100 builds on the S95’s feature set with some nice additions: higher resolution, better noise control, built-in GPS, a wider and longer lens (24-120mm!) and faster frame rate. Professional quality photos from a point and shoot? Yep! 

F-Stop Gear Backpacks for Adventure Photographers > I’ve gone through every brand of photo backpack you can imagine (Lowepro, Tamrac, Clik Elite) and even some non-photo specific packs (Osprey, Macpac) and none work as well as the F-Stop packs.  Easy access to photo gear, modular designs that allow you to carry as much, or as little, photo gear as needed, well built and most importantly, comfortable to carry during long days on and off the trail.  My go-to pack is the bomber Tilopa BC.

Fine Art Photographic Prints by Bret Edge Photography > Okay, I admit it – I’m shamelessly hawking my own prints.  But really, what a better way to lift your spirits than by getting lost in a photo of some gorgeous location while outside it’s cold and dreary?  To top it off, they’re 25% off through Jan. 15th.

Singh-Ray Filters > In this digital age many photographers are getting away from using filters in the field.  Maybe I’m old fashioned but I still regularly use a Singh-Ray polarizer and graduated neutral density filters.  I’m also learning to enjoy using their Vari-ND filter to dial in 2 to 9 stops of neutral density for longer exposures, even when it’s bright outside.

A Road Trip > Nothing makes me happier than to hit the road with my family, my camera and our camping gear.  It really doesn’t matter where we go because I know we’ll be together outside,  in some stunning location, hiking and exploring our hearts out.  Even just planning a trip, poring over maps and guidebooks, is enough to put a smile on my face.

Now that you’ve got some ideas to get the imagination flowing, why not take a moment to leave your own ideas in the comments section?