For some strange reason photography writers are very keen to show us the contents of their kit bag. I suppose it makes them feel wanted. There are also wish-lists compiled by amateur photographers everywhere, plus zillions of pages on the pros and cons of cameras, lenses and editing software.

Below is a list of items I have found useful – the hard way: by not having them to hand when most needed! This is not a wish-list or an endorsement of any kind, just a list of items you might like to have and the reasons why.

1. Lens hoods: they reduce flare and, more importantly, protect your lens

2. A blower and a good cleaning kit: a lint-free cloth can permanently score your glass with a dust particle. Use the blower instead

3. UV polarising filter: reduces the glare from shiny surfaces such as water/snow and gives depth to skies. It also protects your expensive lens from scratches

4. Tripod: vibration reduction / image stabilisation, whether in the camera or on the lens, simply won’t replace a good, sturdy tripod. The better ones, unfortunately, are sold without the ball head (universal joint) needed for the camera

5. Cable release: electronic if possible, drastically reduces the risk of vibration

6. A colour swatch card: a card printed with black, white, grey and (sometimes) colour swatches you position in front of your subject once you’ve got your lighting right. Helps enormously in getting tones right when editing your images

7. A good flash gun: if your camera has an in-built flash, well and good, but remember that the lens casts a shadow close-up and the flash itself is woefully under-powered. A flash gun is always more powerful, easier to control and can be deflected to prevent harsh shadows and red-eye

8. A spare battery, especially when shooting in cold temperatures, along with spare CF/SD cards and, ideally, some means of backing up your shots in situ such as a portable hard disk for events which cannot be repeated, e.g. weddings

9. A reflector or a 5-in-1 reflector / diffuser: cheap, light, easy to use (if you have three hands) and fun

10. Obviously, imaging software because every image can be sharpened or improved but the last one will frighten you when you use it the first time: a device for correcting the colour in your monitor. The difference is extraordinary.