Photo Lighting Softbox
photo lighting softbox Lighting equipment for sony a200? i have a sony a200 d-slr camera, im crazyyy about photgraphy, im 15, my birthday is coming up and i have a room that i take photos of my f...
photo lighting softbox
Gear! Part 2 - Good To Have In The Bag
I wrote over lenses in some detail with my last posting, and now I want to talk about some of the accessories that are so wonderful to have while I am doing wedding photography. Here is a quick yet thorough list:
Memory Cards, tons of them: My largest ones are 8gb, I recommend spreading out your images across multiple cards, because if your 16gb or 32gb card bites the dust with all of your images, you will cry. I don't want that. The Pixel Pocket Rocket from Thinktank Photo is the best way I've found to carry them. Plus the name is funny.
Gaffer's Tape: Imagine duct tape without the residue, at a significantly higher price point. This tape works very well on just about anything, and I have used it for just about everything. Having a roll of gaffer's tape on hand is kind of like keeping your trusty knife in your pocket: you never know when you need it, but when you do it will make you happy.
Gitzo tripod with a geared head: You should have a nice tripod, and this one is carbon fiber, so it is easy on my back. The geared head is great too, it allows you to make really fine-tuned adjustments, which isn't critical for weddings but is for almost all of my other work.
Canon Cable Release: Get one of these! They are great to reduce camera shake when you have your camera on a tripod, I use one during most of my portraits and definitely for the family formals.
Kenko Extension Tubes: Don't have a macro lens? Buy this affordable set, and you can use any of your lenses for that wonderful close up shot of the wedding rings. I do a lot of food photography with these as well.
Canon TTL Flash cord: Always good to have, if you have the infrared transmitter you are even better off. I will probably bite the bullet soon and pick one up. Or maybe you would like to get me a birthday present?
Pocketwizards: One of my best investments. These little guys are reliable, last forever, and are a must-have if you use strobe lighting. We use them to wirelessly trigger strobes for family portrait photography, and also do light-on-a-stick with them during the reception. I have not tried new similar products on the market, but I do know that Pocketwizard has always worked very well for me.
Canon 580 EX, two. These are workhorses too. I have had them for years, and they don't quit. For shooting weddings, it is imperative that you have nice flashes that can swivel their head. Any flash that is fixed to shoot straight forward will be cheap, but can't give you flattering light. Don't use direct flash if you can help it!
Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer: I have used one of the Lightspheres for years, and lost several of them. They give you soft light, but don't give you much power from your flash. When shooting a wedding, speed and quick recycling time is incredibly important, and in my opinion, the Lumiquest does just that. I really like the light that comes from it; it is the next best thing to lugging around a softbox. Great price point too.
XS Chimera or speedlight softbox from Photoflex: We use these for our light on a stick, because I don't always like having such harsh shadows. These help soften it a bit.
Finally, the Manfrotto monopod. These are great because you can use them to stay steady while shooting the wedding ceremony, and remain mobile, then use them to light during the reception. Plus, if you are in a bad part of town they look ultra threatening, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bicycle gang of photographers carrying these around town some time. Please send photos if you see that.
Well, that sums up the second part of my gear list, so let me get on the strobe lighting part, and I will get it to you soon!
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