3 answers
Melissa
Student
Grundy Center, Iowa
3
Questions
Asked
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What kind of equipment do you use?
I'm a Junior in Grundy Center high school. I'm am interested in a career in photography.
#photography
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3 answers
Carrie Eigbrett
6
Answers
Rochester, New York
Updated
Carrie’s Answer
Yes, I would agree with Dexters sentiments here. While there are specific pieces of equipment you find morehelpful for certain types of photography (macro, wildlife, etc), the key is that you know how to use the equipment available to you. Good photography is less about what equipment used and more about how the person behind the equipment uses it. For example, a painter isn't a painter because they can buy paint and a canvas, rather it is how they use that paint on that canvas and what they create with it. So grab a camera, learn how it works and practice with it, learn what your style is or isn't. Take a beginner photography class at your High School - most have them. Also worry less about what others are doing and focus on what you can do, in today's world there are so many photographers. The ones who are most successful are those who have an individual style/creativity all their own.
Haolong Jia
Journalism Video Editor
18
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Haolong’s Answer
Photography needs a lot of equipments. And they are expensive. My equipments are Cannon EOS RP, DJI Mavic Mini Drone, Light and Tripod.
Except drone, the rest of stuff is necessary. I use drone because I want find more good position and angle to shoot photos or videos. It really helped me a lot when I shoot on the beach. I can control the drone shoot far from the beach. Also, drone can shoot somewhere you cannot walk by.
Hope this can help you. Good Luck.
Except drone, the rest of stuff is necessary. I use drone because I want find more good position and angle to shoot photos or videos. It really helped me a lot when I shoot on the beach. I can control the drone shoot far from the beach. Also, drone can shoot somewhere you cannot walk by.
Hope this can help you. Good Luck.
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
234
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hey Melissa,
I don't think you need any specific equipment to be a professional photographer. I mean, there are professional photographers that exclusively use only camera smartphones!
I would focus less on equipment and more on developing your own unique view and photography skills. Because skills and knowledge will translate to whatever equipment you use (and you'll use many different types of equipment in your career). I would try to find existing professional photographers (by seeing what images look good to you), then go borrow their books at the library. For instance, if the "Afghan Girl" image looks amazing to you, then go read Steve McCurry's books. If you're a big fan of Annie Leibovitz, she has books too. And then if you have a hard time understanding their content because they're speaking in code, then I'd start with YouTube videos and content similar to that. There's so much good/free content, that I think you should only think about paying for photography knowledge once you start getting into niche fields that are hard to find.
Once you have skills and knowledge, and you're at that phase where you really need to experience what you're learning, I would recommend starting with used gear. Used lenses last forever and you can learn almost everything you need (and get almost every job you can get) with camera bodies that are years old. If you don't believe me, go look at the equipment used when they run those best photo of the year contests. Yes, there will be some that use the latest and greatest gear, but most will be using gear that is old.
Anyways, I hope this helps!
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Dexter
I don't think you need any specific equipment to be a professional photographer. I mean, there are professional photographers that exclusively use only camera smartphones!
I would focus less on equipment and more on developing your own unique view and photography skills. Because skills and knowledge will translate to whatever equipment you use (and you'll use many different types of equipment in your career). I would try to find existing professional photographers (by seeing what images look good to you), then go borrow their books at the library. For instance, if the "Afghan Girl" image looks amazing to you, then go read Steve McCurry's books. If you're a big fan of Annie Leibovitz, she has books too. And then if you have a hard time understanding their content because they're speaking in code, then I'd start with YouTube videos and content similar to that. There's so much good/free content, that I think you should only think about paying for photography knowledge once you start getting into niche fields that are hard to find.
Once you have skills and knowledge, and you're at that phase where you really need to experience what you're learning, I would recommend starting with used gear. Used lenses last forever and you can learn almost everything you need (and get almost every job you can get) with camera bodies that are years old. If you don't believe me, go look at the equipment used when they run those best photo of the year contests. Yes, there will be some that use the latest and greatest gear, but most will be using gear that is old.
Anyways, I hope this helps!
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Dexter