Photography dates back to the 1820s. It has come a long way since then. From film to digital, there are many entry points for photographers. This has happened over its 200-year history. Today, we will break down photography essentials for beginners. This will help them start off strong.
Camera
It may seem obvious, but you will need a camera to start taking photographs. Now, this could be a DSLR, or it could just be the camera on your phone. Remember that phone camera’s are pretty decent, especially the latest models, but they won’t ever get the same sharp quality and depth as a photography camera. There are several makes of DSLRs that are deemed the top of the list; these include:
Each camera has its own pros and cons, so look into each make of camera and assess which one would fit your needs as a budding photographer.
Lenses
Lenses are key to capturing different types of images. Known as the sinkhole of photographers’ wallets, lenses can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The main types of lenses you should consider adding to your arsenal are:
- 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens – A classic lens that’s good for portraits and everyday photography. It has a 1.8 aperture and 50mm focal length, which can create a blurred background effect
- 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR Lens – This lens covers a wide range from 10 mm to 24 mm, which is great for landscape photography
- 35mm Prime Lens – The natural framing, great balance between the focal point and background separation and the overall versatility of the 35mm focal length are just some of the reasons why this lens is so great.
You can get a massive range of images depending on your lens choice, so research what each one does and how you can use them in your style.
Tripod
A solid foundation for any good bit of photography (no pun intended) is the ever-trustworthy tripod. Most commonly used in long exposure shots, the tripod should be in any budding photographer’s gear. No matter how steady you think your hands are, there will always be a risk of blurry images when not using a tripod. You also don’t want to mess up client work, as mistakes can be costly.
Memory Card
As a beginner in photography, we encourage you just to keep snapping pictures everywhere you go, and the more your photograph, the less storage you’ll have on your camera. Ensure you get a reliable memory card with plenty of space for long shoot days. Make sure to back up your images, even the ones you don’t think you’ll be using, as it’s best to have at least 1 copy (if not 2) hanging around. Once you’ve backed up your images on an external hard drive, PC or cloud storage, you can delete them from your card to take them out for another day of excellent photography!
Batteries
There is nothing worse than being in the thick of a photo shoot and getting the dreaded low battery symbol to appear on your camera! Most DSLRs can be charged before going out; however, having a few spare batteries in emergencies never hurts. Remember to always take your batteries out of the camera to charge after a photo shoot so you don’t catch yourself out the next time you use them.
Camera Bag
With all this gear, having something to store it in might be useful. Camera bags can come in all shapes and sizes, but you won’t need anything too flashy as a beginner. You should be set as long as it can hold your camera, batteries, and space for 1 extra lens. Ideally, you’ll want a bag with a strap that can go over your shoulder or neck to reduce the risk of dropping it and damaging the very expensive camera inside!
As with most hobbies, you can get plenty more accessories and attachments to enhance your photography journey; however, if you haven’t started yet and want to take your own images, this is the ultimate list of must-have gear to add to your arsenal. If you found this blog useful, make sure to follow us on our socials so you don’t miss any more! If you’re interested in having any photography work completed by professionals with 8+ years of experience, then send us a message on our site to see how we can help.