Gorillapod

Just when you thought the world of photography couldn't throw up any more incredible innovations, along comes a tripod that makes conventional three-legged supports seem as practical as telescopic turnips.

The Gorillapod might sound like some kind of simian seedling, and it looks like one of those thingies from War of the Worlds, but it is actually an amazingly flexible little tripod that will support your camera virtually anywhere.

Thanks to its ultra-bendy legs and flexible rotating joints, the sturdy Gorillapod is capable of stabilising a camera on all kinds of uneven surfaces - sand, rock, whatever. It will also cling to nigh on anything you'd care to think of - from branches and chair legs to railings, bannisters and bedknobs.

Pop a Gorillapod in your pocket and positioning your camera takes seconds not minutes. This go-anywhere companion is so versatile it can even be wangled into tight, awkward spaces. Take a Gorillapod on holiday and you'll wonder how you ever managed without one - impossible angles suddenly become possible and 'how did he do that?' shots are a doddle.

Each compact Gorillapod comes complete with a tiny adaptor that screws on to your camera. Simply leave it in place and you can slot your camera onto the Gorillipod in a flash. Convenient? It's like having a pocket-sized photographic assistant/contortionist at your beck and call 24/7.

Most pro photographers we've spoken to (yes, it just so happens we know loads) reckon the Gorillapod is a must-have accessory for anyone who wants to get the most out of their camera. And unless you're some kind of weirdo technophobe, that means you. So stop monkeying around and strike a pose, any pose, with a Gorillapod.