I recently received a ruggedized WG-50 compact camera from Ricoh and immediately embarked upon a challenging, thorny photographic adventure—the likes of which you can’t imagine. I emerged with just a few scratches—although it does look like I’ve lost some blood. I can’t reveal the location of this treacherous place for fear that others might be tempted to defy this danger—but I can tell you this much: it’s no bed of roses.

Back in the days of film photography, the polarizing filter was widely considered an essential tool for shooting outdoors. These days digital photographers often ignore this important accessory, even though it works it’s magic just as well with digital photography.

It’s time to get prepared for next month’s once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunity when those of us in the U.S. will be treated to the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918. 

Toma Abonciu is a pro landscape photographer with some really helpful tips on shooting and editing nature images. In the quick video below he discusses six essential accessories he says should be in the arsenal of every photographer who is serious about shooting the great outdoors.