Shopping for photographers is tough. Photography is such a personal thing, each one of us can use a myriad of different tools to achieve the same results. We are very particular about the items we use, and associated accessories, because all these things are familiar and work for us. We all have individual workflows that depend on so many different things. Buying something that will be appreciated and used is not easy for all those reasons. I honestly believe that a gift certificate is the best way to go. Unless I specify an item I never ask for photo related stuff, I discourage it even. No one knows how I work as well as me, and that makes everyone else unqualified to buy stuff for me, which means that I'm likely to return or exchange it, potentially hurting that person's feelings. Now it may just be me, but the other photographers I've met seem just as particular about what they use and why...

I suggest the gift certificate, or a magazine subscription. But don't buy anything that would fit into the person's photographic workflow unless you know EXACTLY what they're looking for.

FO magazines I suggest Shutterbug, PDN, and Outdoor Photographer. THere are others out there but I have not had long-term experience with them.

Good luck!