By Glenn Smith · 16 items added

posted in Hobby & Sport

You plunked down for a digital SLR camera+lens and you're ready to shoot like Adams or Arbus or Avedon. Which accessories will help you and your kit achieve your vision? What's the next step?

  • A Photography Class

    Glenn Smith says: "You've flipped through the big manual that came with your kit, but it doesn't register. Take a class. Get hands-on instruction. Worth it! See if your local community college has one."
  • a scrapbook

    A look book or just a folder of clippings of images you like.

    Glenn Smith says: "Collect those landscape images, product shots and portraits that inspire you. Think about how you'd reproduce them. Bring a few to your photo teacher and ask him or her to describe the techniques used."
    • Jackie: Great idea! I definitely follow and bookmark photos/photographers I like. I've always been a big fan of National Geographic and NYTimes photos. I like the tip to taking them to your teacher and asking for tips.
  • Lens Cleaning Cloth (& case)

    Lens Cleaning Cloth (8 x 8")

    Glenn Smith says: "Get a good soft cleaning cloth meant for lenses. And put it in some sort of case or envelope! You don't want to get beach sand on your cleaning cloth."
  • UV / Haze Filter

    B+W 010 (2C) - Filter - UV - 72 mm $41

    Glenn Smith says: "The camera store *probably* tried to sell you this when you bought the SLR. Hopefully you agreed. If not, go get one. A Quality filter does two things: 1) protects your expensive lens, should it be damaged and 2) cuts out ultraviolet haziness."
  • a bag to carry it in

    Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW All Weather Camera Bag - Black $71

    Glenn Smith says: "A padded bag that is slung from your shoulder or even a backpack type. Get one that is a little larger than you need at the moment, but not massive. Be sure that it has a compartment for your main camera+lens, and one big enough for the manual!"
  • Tripod

    Some tripods are heavy but set up quickly, some are light but much more expensive, sometimes the legs are sold separately from the "head". So many variations, ranging from $70 to $700 easily.

    Glenn Smith says: "For when you need to steady the camera for reals. Or when you want to include yourself in the frame and you have no assistant. Or when you want to add an additional IR-fired flash unit. So useful, the tripod!"
  • Polarizing filter (circular)

    B+W Circular Polarizer - Filter - circular polarizer - 77 mm $75

    Glenn Smith says: "It removes reflections from glass. It deepens the blue of the sky. It's like the UV-haze filter on steroids. It's magic like the way physics is magic. Oh but it also increases exposure requirements by two or three stops. Delightful toy."
  • Reflector disc & stand

    Yes, you could just use an assistant holding a big white square of cardboard!! Here: Fotodiox 32 5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector Disc Pro Kit with Stand and Holder Arm Soft Silver/Gold/Black/White/Diffuser $39

    Glenn Smith says: "Particularly for portraiture, there is nothing like natural light. But it does not always provide exactly what we need. A reflective disc can help us cheat a little, by catching the light and shining it back where needed, to fill any harsh shadows."
  • An assistant

    Photography Assistant, we don't need no stinking photography assistant!

    Glenn Smith says: "Get an assistant. He or she can help you maneuver reflective discs on the fly, or style hair or clothing, or remove debris, or even grab a second camera and shoot as a backup photographer on an important shoot."
  • a flash unit

    SB-800 AF Speedlight from Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight from Nikon

    Glenn Smith says: "This is not the light from your reflective disc. Light creation can turn your night to day. You already have one flash built into the top of your SLR. A good start! But this one has far more power, and can even bounce light off of a ceiling..."
  • flash cable

    4557 Nikon Sc-17 Ttl Sync Extension Cord Expensive goddamned cable! I think mine was $75 and that was 15 years ago.

    Glenn Smith says: "..combined with a dedicated flash, this takes your light source off-camera. Hold the flash in your left hand and be rid of that flat "deer-in-headlights" feel that the on-camera flash can have. Direct the light anywhere you like."
  • Adobe Photoshop & a post-production class

    to have fun with my photos and share them with family and friends in photo books and web galleries.

    Glenn Smith says: "If your intro photo class didn't include enough Photoshop work, invest in a class to learn about resolutions (screen and print), masking, layers, and the digital versions of dodging and burning that the greats needed years to master back in the day."
  • spare battery

    Canon BP 511A Camera battery - Li-Ion $25

    Glenn Smith says: "if you're on location or vacation.. bring an additional CHARGED battery with you."
  • split up your total memory: get multiple cards

    Kingston 4 GB CompactFlash Memory Card CF/4GB 4GB CompactFlash Card

    Glenn Smith says: "wise man say: three full cards in the trunk are worth more than one partially-used card at the bottom of that pond. or something. The idea is that in the case of catastrophe, maybe not all of your shots are lost, and four 4GB is better than one 16GB."
  • smartphone

    Or any other take-everywhere, small purse-camera. When all else fails, or when you just couldn't be bothered to grab your full kit of gear that day...

    Glenn Smith says: "'The best camera is the one that's with you'."
  • common sense

    Common Sense[1] is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It was first published anonymously on January 10, 1776, during the American Revolution. Common Sense, signed "Written by an Englishman", became an immediate success.[2] In relation to the...

    Glenn Smith says: "Forget about this list and go play with your kit and figure out what you like to shoot. Go back to the camera manual, and maybe the community college classes and get a feel for what you want to pursue before spending any more money."

2 Suggestions

What should I add to this list?

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  • Recycled Camera Strap

    Made from Vintage VW Guitar Straps - for about every 100 guitar straps we have just enough to make about 4 or 5 of these camera straps.These highly unique, Made in USA, sweatshop free limited edition upcylced camera straps.

    Krista suggests: "These straps (and other goodies) are awesome! They're also all made from recycled materials in the USA and appear to be sturdy/reasonably priced."
  • 10 Free Ebooks for Digital Photography | The PhotoArgus

    I am always on the hunt for great information on photography, especially if its free! Today we have gathered 10 FREE ebooks for you to download and enjoy! This collection covers the basics of digital photography, lighting setups, food photography,...

    Jackie suggests: "The PhotoArgus is a great site with a ton of resources and photo tips. I just came across this post of a few free ebooks with some helpful tips for using your digital camera!"