The key to photography is a strong bag. And a stronger back.
Today, I wanted to talk to everyone about my equipment that I use on a day to day basis, more specifically everything outside of the studio! Hopefully, I want to give insight to any aspiring photographers as a good (and realistic) list of equipment to pick up. When I was starting out every "bare bones" list online would run me a small loan at the bank and at least one non-essential organ. Or, maybe you're just curious about everything that goes into capturing that perfect shot. Either way, here's looking to you, kid. (I watched Casablanca today I couldn't help it.)
I'm going to go piece by piece here, and explain why I have it and why it works! I'll give specific details as to my specs but please NEVER feel like you need to spend a lot of money to do this. The only absolute essential is the first thing on this list:
- A camera - Canon EOS Rebel T7
- Well, I'm not sure how to explain why I need this one. I'd be a bit screwed without it.
- Standard Range Lens - EFS 18-55mm
- Unless I specifically know I'm going to be doing long or short range work only I find it helps to always have this on me.
- Longer Range Lens - Ultrasonic 75-300mm
- This lens is magic for me. I can't explain why but it feels so natural to use! It's also super useful for tripod shots or when I'm trying to capture something that I can't get close to, like animals or someone speaking at an event.
- Travel Charger - Vivitar Rapid Travel Charger
- You never know, the amount of times that I've thought I had more battery or forgotten to charge it the night before is astronomical. Helps to be prepared!
- External Flash - Digital Concepts 319AF
- I've had plenty of shoots extend past the time I thought they were going to, and having something not from the camera angle directly is awesome for avoiding appearance in reflections is fantastic for night-time shots.
- SD Card Converter - CoCocka USB SD Card Reader
- These are so cheap and so nice to have on hand. Essentially, it allows you to put your SD Cards onto something that doesn't have a built-in reader. Some laptops don't anymore but most importantly it can plug into your phone for direct imports, I love this thing!
- Tripod - ESDDI Tripod/Monopod with 360 Degree Ball-head
- If there's an item on my list that I think is 100% worth the extra buck, it's this. Having a tripod is always awesome in case you need to eliminate any chance of hand-shaking, this one in particular has a ball head for getting literally any angle you want which I LOVE! Also, It's aluminum, so it can take a bit of a beating if anything happens. And I apologize for gushing so much but it detaches into a freaking monopod! Sometimes tripods take up way too much room and you need to squeeze into a tight spot, BAM! The stability of a tripod with the room of pretty much just you!
- A Constant Light - NA
- I truly cannot remember the name of this item or the company it came from, but essentially a pocket-sized light to add if you're getting too many shadows in your shot. This also works if your subject keeps flinching at a flash!
- A Deodorant Stick and Hand Sanitizer - NA
- I'm not going to give my brand name because, why? But, on long shoot days this kinda stuff is critical. Depending on the event, cologne might also make an appearance. This definitely doesn't make it on 95% of lists like this but it is CRUCIAL to keep in your bag!
- Thin Driving Gloves - NA
- Cold hands, a photographer's nemesis. Regular gloves are too chunky to quickly fix settings without taking them off, and no gloves can sometimes lead to a blurrier time than a Claude Monet. I know it's a weird way to end off this list, but having something to protect from the wind chill has saved me so many times as a Philadelphia photographer. (It's twelve degrees outside at the point of my writing.)
As I said up top, NONE of this is mandatory, except the whole camera thing, that's important. And not everyone is fit to carry an aluminum tripod on their backs at all times, I get that! What's crucial to take from this list is to find what works for you! Take some ideas, some inspiration maybe, and definitely take some deodorant. You will thank me later, I promise.
Much Obliged,
Ian James
