Basic Photographer Setup?

[DaveK]

I'm looking into photography as a job on the side, basically photographing models in places like a bedroom and stuff but I don't have fancy equipment.

All I have is my camera and I am getting a tripod. Is there anything that I should have that makes a big difference? Keeping in mind I'm on a budget and it needs to be travel friendly.

It's pretty much just poses in lingerie and nothing too fancy but it needs to be good.

Anything I need?

[W1zzard]

2 lights, 2 reflectors, camera w/ lenses, if you have a decent camera and decent light, you can shoot handheld, trade the tripod for a small ladder then

[Polaris573]

Nobody is going to take you seriously as a photographer with a point and shoot camera. I know point and shoots are a lot better than they used to be but that's just the way the world works. You need an SLR or DSLR.

This gives nifty tips for on the cheap lighting

http://www.shuttertalk.com/articles/diylighting

to get into the DSLR world as cheap as possible get a sony alpha camera. Then buy whatever used minolta AF lens you need going all the way back to 1986. You can get some nice lenses for $75.

Canon and Nikon fanboys on the internet will shit all over your Sony camera, but who cares you can get good pictures and pay less money.

[Steevo]

HERE COMES THE SHIT!!!!!


JK. I used a 3.2 for a long time and it worked great. Use what works. Take lots of shots as about 80% will be crap until you know what to shoot for.

[Kreij]

I'm looking into photography as a job on the side, basically photographing models in places like a bedroom and stuff but I don't have fancy equipment.

All I have is my camera and I am getting a tripod. Is there anything that I should have that makes a big difference? Keeping in mind I'm on a budget and it needs to be travel friendly.

It's pretty much just poses in lingerie and nothing too fancy but it needs to be good.

Anything I need?

Starting a Pr0n site? Anything will do.

[jmcslob]

some good tips here

[ssvs04]

I'm looking into photography as a job on the side, basically photographing models in places like a bedroom and stuff but I don't have fancy equipment.

All I have is my camera and I am getting a tripod. Is there anything that I should have that makes a big difference? Keeping in mind I'm on a budget and it needs to be travel friendly.

It's pretty much just poses in lingerie and nothing too fancy but it needs to be good.

Anything I need?

For basic photography setup your going to have to at least get yourself a prime lens for portrait work. Nothing else is going to be sharper then a prime and work as good in low light light. Its a must have if your going to do what you want.

[twilyth]

FYI, thread is March 2010.

[ssvs04]

FYI, thread is March 2010.

Yes I know. You never know if someone else might be wondering the same question so I thought I would throw out my opinion.

[twilyth]

Well, in that case, I would highlight Wiz's response. Lighting is the most important factor in photography. But you also need an eye for composition and that's not something that's easy to learn.

[ssvs04]

Well, in that case, I would highlight Wiz's response. Lighting is the most important factor in photography. But you also need an eye for composition and that's not something that's easy to learn.

True lighting is important. But you can get that on the cheap in the begining. And later on move up in quality lighting. I met a guy who does nothing but head shots who for his work and he uses a regular lamp you can buy at Walmart. He does not struggle for work because he has lots of talent. Nothing is more important then a quality lens. Nothing! Even the body is secondary. I would put a quality tripod as second on the list.

[ssvs04]

For my style of shooting I had to go for the best lens also. And the only one that had it was Olympus. Well the only company the Leica lens would fit on is Olympus. I needed a high quality all in one lens from semi wide angle 28mm to 300mm zoom. And sadly Canon and all the rest made crap with poor reviews. But Leica made a few of these pricey little darlings making them the best all in one zooms ever made for a DSRL. Just perfect for the type of outside photograhy I like to do. And gives fantastic sharp results at wide angle or zoom unlike the rest of the manufactures that make all in one zooms. So ive built my entire lens collection around Olympus.