Essential Photography Equipment

Photography equipment varies depending upon theFilters provide special effects without damaging
subject that the photographer chooses.the image. UV or haze filters are available to
Photography equipment for weddings may differprovide polarizing, neutrality or coloring. UV filters
from photography equipment for landscapes.primarily protect the lens from scratches.
Basic equipment remains the same. However, theReflectors and diffusers are used to soften light
photographer will have to build his or heror add more light. Polarizing reflectors specifically
accessories according to the type of photographyreduce reflections to achieve deeper colors and
chosen.richer images.
Listed below are some of the basics that everyTripod
type of photographer needs:A photographer whose shot requires patience and
Lensesmany hours to achieve needs to invest in a tripod.
Wide angle zoom lenses provide a larger field ofTripods are useful for shooting slow-speed
view than normal lenses and are vital in severalexposure, where any sort of movement will
types of photography, such as still life, wedding,result in a blurred image. Tripods should be 2
landscape and others. Additionally, a wide totimes the weight of your camera, with the
telephoto lens is essential in wedding photographyheaviest lens attached, in order to provide proper
to capture group photos with ease.support. Flexible legged tripods are also useful in
External Flashesshooting images outdoors, because they can
An external flash gives the photographer moreattach to the natural elements in the environment.
control over the amount of light introduced intoThe monopod also provides the photographer
the photograph than a built-in flash. There is oftenadded stability; however, the photographer still
photo color degradation when the built-in flash isholds the monopod while attempting to capture
used alone.the image.
The type of flash will depend upon theCable Releases and Remote Flash Triggering
photographer's subject. For studio photography, aThis mechanism allows the photographer to be
powerful flash is employed to yield a certainhands free to avoid movement from depressing
effect. Photojournalists may use a TTL (Throughthe shoot button or the flash button. Often the
the Lens) metering flash that allows thecamera vibrates from simply depressing the
photographer to measure light levels through theshoot button, which may result in a blurred image.
lens itself. This method minimizes the need for aThe cable release alleviates this problem by
hand held flash meter. Once the light level isdistancing the photographer from the camera
determined, the photographer can control thebody.
amount of light the flash needs to emit toOther Pertinent Accessories
produce the desired image.For landscape photographers, a sun and tide
Hand Held Flash Metercalculator is necessary to know when the tide and
The hand held flash meter determines thesun will be at the desired levels for the image that
amount of light of a scene when there is nothe photographer is trying to capture.
internal mechanism on the lens to do so. This isWaterproof bags to hold the equipment, batteries
one tool that assists the photographer inand memory if the camera is digital, and a
controlling light levels to obtain the best qualitysometimes a spirit level may all be necessary
photograph.photography equipment.
Filters, Reflectors, and Diffusers