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If you've read my about page, then you know that I love photography. Not only do I love it, but I'm a student of it. Being a student photographer is so much fun and such a learning experience. But there's one downfall: you have to dish out loads of money in order to get all the equipment, plus extras that you may want for yourself.
But I'm here to explain what I own, and if it's really necessary or not. Let's start with the basics.
CAMERA
This is pretty obvious. It's really hard to take pictures if you don't have a camera of some sort. Now what kind you need really depends on if you are a hobbyist or a student/professional. The reason I say this is because, let's be real here, anyone can easily take their iPhone and snap some selfies. Or perhaps you love anything and everything vintage, so you buy an Instax Mini Instant Film Camera. This can give some interesting results. However, neither of them are considered a professional device. Don't get me wrong, today's iPhones are making some good quality images, but this also factors in with lighting and what editing apps you use. What you really want for professionalism is a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. Of course this also factors into whether you want to photograph digitally or with film. On the film side, I'm not experienced so I'll leave that to others for advice. What I own, though, for my schooling and photographing is a Canon Rebel T3i. Now this isn't the newest model, but it gets the job done. It is very basic and great for those starting out. Obviously, you need to learn about the functions the camera holds but once you learn, using this camera will be extremely easy. Is it worth it? Yes.
This is pretty obvious. It's really hard to take pictures if you don't have a camera of some sort. Now what kind you need really depends on if you are a hobbyist or a student/professional. The reason I say this is because, let's be real here, anyone can easily take their iPhone and snap some selfies. Or perhaps you love anything and everything vintage, so you buy an Instax Mini Instant Film Camera. This can give some interesting results. However, neither of them are considered a professional device. Don't get me wrong, today's iPhones are making some good quality images, but this also factors in with lighting and what editing apps you use. What you really want for professionalism is a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. Of course this also factors into whether you want to photograph digitally or with film. On the film side, I'm not experienced so I'll leave that to others for advice. What I own, though, for my schooling and photographing is a Canon Rebel T3i. Now this isn't the newest model, but it gets the job done. It is very basic and great for those starting out. Obviously, you need to learn about the functions the camera holds but once you learn, using this camera will be extremely easy. Is it worth it? Yes.
TRIPOD
Now this is pretty obvious too. I'm going to be honest, here. Taking pictures that require long shutter speeds, without a tripod, can be extremely tricky. If you don't have the most stable hands, then you definitely want to invest in one. There are so many out there and with a large price range as well. You do want to make sure that your camera is the same mounting type as your tripod though. My favorite one I've come across is Ravelli APLT4. It's extremely close to the one I own, and from what I've experienced, it's a very trusty tripod, for a very great price. Is it worth it? Yes.
Now this is pretty obvious too. I'm going to be honest, here. Taking pictures that require long shutter speeds, without a tripod, can be extremely tricky. If you don't have the most stable hands, then you definitely want to invest in one. There are so many out there and with a large price range as well. You do want to make sure that your camera is the same mounting type as your tripod though. My favorite one I've come across is Ravelli APLT4. It's extremely close to the one I own, and from what I've experienced, it's a very trusty tripod, for a very great price. Is it worth it? Yes.
LIGHTING KIT
Now this is something that I really don't use. But that's because I don't have room to use it, and I don't plan on doing portraiture. It's a hassle to work with, but very rewarding if you are going to use it a lot. The kit that I own was pretty pricey, but it came with three monolights, three stands, a wireless flash remote, three umbrella reflectors, one softbox, and all the cords and bulbs. It's basically this kit here, brand and all. Is it necessary to have? In my opinion, no. It really all depends on what you plan to do with your photography and if it's worth the investment. If you're like me and you just plan on taking landscape photographs with natural lighting, then perhaps a cheaper kit would be in order, but if you want to do portraiture and still life, this may just be for you! Honestly, I have a cheaper one as well, but the larger one was required for school, because of the voltage and wattage, so I had to buy it as well. Is it worth it? For learning, oh definitely! But for my own photographic use? No. (Again, please consider what you'd like to do with your photography. It may very well be worth it to you!)
Now this is something that I really don't use. But that's because I don't have room to use it, and I don't plan on doing portraiture. It's a hassle to work with, but very rewarding if you are going to use it a lot. The kit that I own was pretty pricey, but it came with three monolights, three stands, a wireless flash remote, three umbrella reflectors, one softbox, and all the cords and bulbs. It's basically this kit here, brand and all. Is it necessary to have? In my opinion, no. It really all depends on what you plan to do with your photography and if it's worth the investment. If you're like me and you just plan on taking landscape photographs with natural lighting, then perhaps a cheaper kit would be in order, but if you want to do portraiture and still life, this may just be for you! Honestly, I have a cheaper one as well, but the larger one was required for school, because of the voltage and wattage, so I had to buy it as well. Is it worth it? For learning, oh definitely! But for my own photographic use? No. (Again, please consider what you'd like to do with your photography. It may very well be worth it to you!)
LIGHT METER
This is important in the beginning. When you are learning the ropes of exposure and what to set it at in different settings, this will definitely come in handy. You could easily just shoot in Auto Mode without a light meter, but you have much more control in Manual Mode, and you may not automatically know which exposures work together off the bat. Having a light meter will give you the best reading it senses in the setting and you set to camera to those exposure numbers. Again, there's a variety of these, but the one I use is the Polaris SPD100 Digital Meter. The price is more than I wanted to pay, but it was actually the cheapest one I came across. Of course, it was required by the school to own one, but I still think it's well worth investing in. So, it's worth it, right? Definitely.
This is important in the beginning. When you are learning the ropes of exposure and what to set it at in different settings, this will definitely come in handy. You could easily just shoot in Auto Mode without a light meter, but you have much more control in Manual Mode, and you may not automatically know which exposures work together off the bat. Having a light meter will give you the best reading it senses in the setting and you set to camera to those exposure numbers. Again, there's a variety of these, but the one I use is the Polaris SPD100 Digital Meter. The price is more than I wanted to pay, but it was actually the cheapest one I came across. Of course, it was required by the school to own one, but I still think it's well worth investing in. So, it's worth it, right? Definitely.
REFLECTOR
This is also something that you won't necessarily need but it definitely helps in low lighting. Many use it to fill in shadows when shooting in harsh light, but I use mine for the low lighting. It has the same concept, just doesn't have as bright of lighting as a day in the sun. I own the 5-in-1 Neewer Reflector, which is really awesome, honestly. The different colors affect the reflection, not only with the corresponding color, but also with how much light actually reflects. Not to mention, it also works for a surface if you don't have anything else yet, such as backdrops or usable bed sheets. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
This is also something that you won't necessarily need but it definitely helps in low lighting. Many use it to fill in shadows when shooting in harsh light, but I use mine for the low lighting. It has the same concept, just doesn't have as bright of lighting as a day in the sun. I own the 5-in-1 Neewer Reflector, which is really awesome, honestly. The different colors affect the reflection, not only with the corresponding color, but also with how much light actually reflects. Not to mention, it also works for a surface if you don't have anything else yet, such as backdrops or usable bed sheets. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
GREY CARD
This is used for correcting white balance when the color's temperature is off, also known as a color cast. Quite honestly, I'll let you in on a secret... I printed my own. It's much cheaper. This doesn't mean you should too, though. I printed mine before I had a photo printer or a color calibration system, so for all I know, the grey that I printed could have the wrong tone. Not to mention, mine came out very badly. It had scan lines across the image, which no doubt disturbs the neutrality of the card when post-processing. I really don't use this tool often, though. I really only ever use it when a school assignment calls for it, otherwise, it sits in my photography gear bag. Is it worth it? For beginners, definitely! For me, not really.
This is used for correcting white balance when the color's temperature is off, also known as a color cast. Quite honestly, I'll let you in on a secret... I printed my own. It's much cheaper. This doesn't mean you should too, though. I printed mine before I had a photo printer or a color calibration system, so for all I know, the grey that I printed could have the wrong tone. Not to mention, mine came out very badly. It had scan lines across the image, which no doubt disturbs the neutrality of the card when post-processing. I really don't use this tool often, though. I really only ever use it when a school assignment calls for it, otherwise, it sits in my photography gear bag. Is it worth it? For beginners, definitely! For me, not really.
FILTERS
These vary so much! There are tons of different types of filters. There are graduated color filters, polarizers, neutral density filters, UV filters, infrared filters and literally so much more. I happen to own this 3-piece UV, CPL, and FLD set, an infrared filter from ICE, and infrared filter from A&R Professional, and a neutral density filter from ICE. These of course aren't necessary unless they fit into your photographic interest, but are very fun to use. Is it worth it? To me, yes; but not necessary.
These vary so much! There are tons of different types of filters. There are graduated color filters, polarizers, neutral density filters, UV filters, infrared filters and literally so much more. I happen to own this 3-piece UV, CPL, and FLD set, an infrared filter from ICE, and infrared filter from A&R Professional, and a neutral density filter from ICE. These of course aren't necessary unless they fit into your photographic interest, but are very fun to use. Is it worth it? To me, yes; but not necessary.
WIRELESS REMOTE
Self-explanatory. This uses an infrared laser to trigger the shutter, you just have to make sure it's on the proper shooting mode/setting. It really comes in handy for self-portraits, but also when you need long shutter speeds because you won't have that small shake from your finger pressing the button. The one I have is for the Canon models. Please make sure yours is compatible with your camera. Worth it? 100%!
Self-explanatory. This uses an infrared laser to trigger the shutter, you just have to make sure it's on the proper shooting mode/setting. It really comes in handy for self-portraits, but also when you need long shutter speeds because you won't have that small shake from your finger pressing the button. The one I have is for the Canon models. Please make sure yours is compatible with your camera. Worth it? 100%!
RAIN COVER
This is for those that shoot outdoors often. The one I have by Neewer is very cheap and basically just like a rain cover for boat tours. It works for me, but it can be tedious. Since it's not a complex cover/case, it doesn't have any special compartments to access your buttons/settings. This can be annoying, but it does its job at weather protection. Is it worth it? Yes.
This is for those that shoot outdoors often. The one I have by Neewer is very cheap and basically just like a rain cover for boat tours. It works for me, but it can be tedious. Since it's not a complex cover/case, it doesn't have any special compartments to access your buttons/settings. This can be annoying, but it does its job at weather protection. Is it worth it? Yes.
COLOR CALIBRATION DEVICE
This was is extremely necessary, especially if you plan on printing your photographs. Even sending them to a lab requires color calibration if you want your edits to look how you want. There usually is an option to have the lab calibrate the color for their printing standards, but if you want your picture to have your specific edit and color range, you will need to make sure what you see on your monitor is what comes out. Now these can be pretty expensive, depending on what kind you get. I have the ColorMunki Photo, which calibrates both your monitor and printer, so it ranges around $400-$500 depending on if it's on sale or not. I find it absolutely necessary. And definitely worth it.
This was is extremely necessary, especially if you plan on printing your photographs. Even sending them to a lab requires color calibration if you want your edits to look how you want. There usually is an option to have the lab calibrate the color for their printing standards, but if you want your picture to have your specific edit and color range, you will need to make sure what you see on your monitor is what comes out. Now these can be pretty expensive, depending on what kind you get. I have the ColorMunki Photo, which calibrates both your monitor and printer, so it ranges around $400-$500 depending on if it's on sale or not. I find it absolutely necessary. And definitely worth it.
If I've left out anything, it's very rarely used or so tiny that it holds no relevance.
I hope you've enjoyed my list!
What's in your bag?
Comment below.
The polarizing filter was one of the best things I ever bought! I only have about... 1/4 of the stuff here, but the polarizing filter stepped up my outdoor photos and food photography for sure. And I'm SO glad I didn't wait until after our honeymoon trip to get one.
ReplyDeleteI actually bought it and never used it until recently. Now I'm using it for food photography and portraiture when doing school assignments.
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