What essential accessories should an student photographer have?

Posted by admin on October 19th, 2009 and filed under accessories lights | 4 Comments »

What filters should I have, or lighting accessories, I’m more the outdoors type so I don’t need a lot for studio shooting.

You should get a gray card. It is about 8×10 inches and costs under $10. It should actually be required. And I agree that a reflector and a diffuser are indispensible when you need one. These are all great for an outdoor photographer. The gray card will help to get proper exposure readings from your meter. The reflector and diffuser are used to control the sunlight to get better natural light without harsh shadows or splotches of light and shadows. Do a good search before buying a diffuser or reflector. B&H and adorama are good places to buy one.

And a good tripod is definitely nice to have. You can get a good quality Manfrotto for as little as $60:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=2635&N=4291756644+4291348219+42&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7C0

Few beginning classes are going to go over flash much if at all so you may not even learn how to use it if you buy one. I would wait on that unless your instructor can help you learn to use it. A better idea is to get a diffuser for the built-in flash on the camera just in case you need it for fill flash.

4 Responses

  1. AndrewM Says:

    Polarizer and ND grad. At least a shoe flash, an off shoe might be useful, but a little fill is the biggest thing you need in flash for outdoor. A tripod of course for long exposures.
    References :

  2. Candid Chris Says:

    Polarizer and a good tripod/ less-so monopod. A silver/gold reflector would be nice. The good backpack, extra (film/flash-card), extra battery and a really knowledgeable sherpa.
    References :

  3. casperskitty Says:

    You should get a gray card. It is about 8×10 inches and costs under $10. It should actually be required. And I agree that a reflector and a diffuser are indispensible when you need one. These are all great for an outdoor photographer. The gray card will help to get proper exposure readings from your meter. The reflector and diffuser are used to control the sunlight to get better natural light without harsh shadows or splotches of light and shadows. Do a good search before buying a diffuser or reflector. B&H and adorama are good places to buy one.

    And a good tripod is definitely nice to have. You can get a good quality Manfrotto for as little as $60:

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=2635&N=4291756644+4291348219+42&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7C0

    Few beginning classes are going to go over flash much if at all so you may not even learn how to use it if you buy one. I would wait on that unless your instructor can help you learn to use it. A better idea is to get a diffuser for the built-in flash on the camera just in case you need it for fill flash.
    References :

  4. M D Says:

    it depends on your interests..
    if you like landscape/travel photography, u need a wide angle lens, <= 50mm. if you prefer portrait, macro lens? and if you prefe action shots on sunny days, telephoto..

    im more into the landscape myself, probably wont do portrait but invest in wide angle, and a telephoto lens for buildings and action.

    as for filters, I remember the blue hue from the 80’s very popular, guess its back.
    References :

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