I am now ready to become a fotog?

Photography can easily become an expensive hobby and is definitely an expensive profession. The equipment used is high-tech and precise. The best equipment costs more and any photographer would want to work with the best.

A friend suggested to start from the basics.

“Basic” is the key. In photography the camera itself is one of the least important tools in terms of needing the best. Aside from a few new digital factors such as mega-pixels and sensor size, one camera doesn’t really differ that much from the rest. Get one that’s solid and comfortable but put your first big investment in the lenses and other accessories.

Sometimes this isn’t practical. As for sports photographer investing in the camera that takes 8 frames a second may be a good idea, otherwise reward yourself with a better camera some time down the road.

Lenses should be those that best suit your immediate needs. A wide aperture lens for those wishing to get into event photography, a stabilized zoom lens for those into wildlife and a macro lens for those into flowers, etc . etc etc . . .. Each lens get the appropriate filters.

Some basic starting filters are UV and skylight filters as well as polarizing filters. If you plan on shooting under heavy lights then, in some cases, a tungsten filter will be a necessity he said

Lights may or may not be a good thing to purchase next. Example, a flash, is a great tool but can often get in the way of a person learning the art. It is often advised to avoid using a flash until you’ve learned how to compose pictures with available light he further suggested.

This helps the photographer become more astute. If you are looking to get into event photography then a flash may be an unavoidable purchase in which case aim to get one with a rotating and tilting head. Along with the flash, purchase a bounce.

People making their own prints these days are setting up digital darkrooms. For this you’ll definitely need a fast computer with a lot of memory because if you’re looking for serious quality you’ll be working with RAW images that can be a hundred megabytes in size. Relative to printer, invest in one that can hold actual rolls of paper as this will work out better for you in the long run.

By the time you have all of this, any other equipment you need will suggest itself to you. Before I forget, when buying a camera, lenses and the filters, make sure you get yourself a bag big enough to carry everything!

And finally he said . . . Mike andam na ka. . . maniniyot.