I am a very keen Photographer have a wide interest in photography, landscapes, portraits, pets & wildlife, Still life, have exhibited my work won a few Canon an Nikon picture of the month awards, and have never used a flash in my life,
Tripods and remotes mean you can correctly compose the still life shots such as SOTD, macro shots, landscapes and portraits, in fact if you want to make photography more than just a point and shoot process, get a tripod and you actually start thinking more, a tripod and a remote release shutter will be the two most important accessories you will ever buy, I like to think i'm offering good advice I did a years foundation in fine Art and photography before applying for a Fine Art degree, I also have a A'level and O'level in photography, I like to think you will find those two items invaluable. On the other hand a expensive flash would be the very last item I would tell a newby photographer to buy.
Jamie.