photo by MarioGuti via iStock
Some of the most fun I have is talking to photographers who are new to serious photography and giving a beginner photography gear guide. You have been taking pictures with your smartphone and moved into interchangeable lens cameras in order to have more control and improve your art.
The camera you have chosen is likely an entry level DSLR or mirrorless camera with the kit lens that covers moderate wide angle to moderate telephoto. So, now you’re wondering “what camera gear do I need to help me grow as a photographer?”
As you learn more about your new camera and photography in general, I must make a disclaimer before we continue about photography equipment for beginners. It is primarily your artistic vision and your skill in the craft that will help you grow and become a better photographer. But I can provide some beginner photography gear tips.
Photography Gear for Beginners
photo by MarioGuti via iStock
What beginner photography gear should you get first, next, and sometime in the near future? Most of the items in this list can be purchased for a reasonable price, though some may cost close to what you paid for your new camera. Here is a brief beginner photography gear guide:
- External Flash
- Extra Batteries
- Tripod Alternative
- Gear Bag
- Microfiber Cloth
- Tripod
- Filter Kit
- Video Light
- Extra Memory Cards
- Lenses
- Post Processing Program
External Flash
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Almost every entry level DSLR and mirrorless camera available currently has a flash built-in, but an extra on-camera flash is one of the first other purchases of beginner photography gear you should pick up, for two reasons. One, the built-in flash has a very limited range and two, an external flash in the right style can bounce flash.
Bounce flash is an excellent way to modify flash from the direct light of on camera flash use. The extra range helps with that plus is useful for lighting subjects beyond the 10 foot range of the camera flash.
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Extra Batteries
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The worst possible scenario for missing shots is when you’re about to snap a photo and the camera is dead. You didn’t even get a bad pic, you got none! Just one extra battery in your pocket or bag will save you from that scenario. Make sure the spare battery is charged!
Tripod Alternative
A tripod is a wonderful addition of photography equipment for beginners but some beginners shy away from them because of their size, weight, and possibly cumbersome use. Still, there are many times when some sort of camera is needed, so a small camera mount is a great alternative.
The OctoPad is one of the best compact camera mounts any photographer can carry. The OctoPad is a compact weighted semi-rigid disk with a ball head on top and a non-slip pad underneath. It can hold a camera on many types of surfaces, even uneven ones or one slanted at up to a 45 degree angle.
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Gear Bag
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Your camera kit probably came with a bag but an upgrade can hold the extra gear better and be easier to use. Case in point is the sling style of camera bag. It combines the best features of a shoulder bag, backpack, and gear holster. Sling bags are good protection for your new camera and lenses and the gear can be quickly accessed as well.
Microfiber Cloth
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A clean lens is required for the sharpest images and to guard against unwanted flare from smudges or dust. A small microfiber cloth can fit in your pocket and is the best way to clean a lens. A scarf, t-shirt, or paper towel is not recommended.
Tripod
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Sometimes, a tripod is either the best way or maybe the only way to capture certain types of images. Long exposure photography, macrophotography, HDR photography are just some of the reasons to use a tripod.
Shooting video is another reason to have a good tripod as beginner photography gear. Your new camera has excellent video capabilities but shooting video with a new DSLR or mirrorless is often disappointing at first. Because the footage is generally just too shaky. A tripod, especially a video tripod will immediately improve your video.
Filter Kit
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Some filter kits for landscape photography or long exposure photography might cost as much as the camera did, but you can probably wait on those types of kits. A protective filter is a good idea for each lens and a circular polarizer is one of the most useful optical filters for serious photography. Remember, for more serious photography, the term filter usually refers to an optical lens accessory and not a smartphone app.
Video Light
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A small continuous light source such as battery operated LED light that fits on the camera like a flash unit can help you capture better video, especially when filming people. These LED lights are small, light, and often very inexpensive.
Extra Memory Cards
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At first, we’re all thinking that the biggest memory card we can find is the only one we need, but it’s a good idea to have several backups, perhaps two or three of a smaller capacity instead of just one large capacity card. Though it’s rare, a card can fail, having more than one is a guarantee against that problem.
Lenses
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As you take more photos, you’ll find yourself wanting more from your lens. Perhaps you want more reach from the telephoto end or you could use a wider view than your kit can provide, or maybe both extras are desirable.
Lenses in the same style as the kit lens on your camera can be purchased in longer telephoto or a wider field of view wide angle lens. Other options for beginner photography gear lenses are a fast normal prime lens or perhaps a macro lens for ultra closeup views.
Post-Processing Program
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Among the most important beginner photography tips I like to give is to start right away with a post-processing program to use on your computer. If you want to use RAW files instead of JPEG to get the most image information possible, you will need to use a post-processing program.
Post-processing can be just as easy to do as taking a photo in automatic but it’s the step beyond that which is at the heart and soul of being a serious photographer, having complete creative control. Many excellent programs are available at reasonable prices, some can be used on a constantly updated subscription basis.
Use the ideas in my beginner photography gear guide to help you decide what other photography equipment can assist your continued growth and enjoyment in photography.
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