Just like most photographers, a question I get asked all the time is what gear do I use. While I usually just explain what I use and why I use it, I thought I’d make a post explaining in depth what I use so I can refer people to it! Hopefully this gives you some background on how I create my photographs. But before I get into what I use, I want to start by saying that the best camera out there is the camera that you currently have. What does this mean? It means that you don’t need a 50k dollar camera to take good photos. Whether you have an iPhone or a camera your mom gave you from 2011, you can take fantastic photos!
Let’s start with a short story. A couple summers ago I had a friend hit me up to hang out and asked that I brought my camera. Nothing serious but to just mess around. We got to one of my favorite locations to shoot, I lifted up my camera and hit the shutter. Nothing happened. I looked at my camera and couldn’t believe it. “No Memory card available” was the message written on the camera screen. I forgot my card at home, how could this happen? I had a couple of options. I could either drive 40 minutes home to get my card, call the shoot off, or I could use the next best thing. My trusty iPhone. The shoot went fine and I got some great shots, one of them being my most popular pictures (See Below) on instagram! As I said before, work with what you have and learn to master it before you worry about upgrading.
Now, on to what gear I use! I use a Canon 5d mkII with a 35mm f/2. As far as the 5d body goes its not the best body and its little old but it works every time I need it to, which is all I want out of a camera. The lens is a different story. The 35mm lens does not leave the camera body, as a matter of fact it’s the only lens I own. The first time I took a picture with it, instead of the stock lens that I had was simply life changing. Not really, I just enjoy the framing and wide angle aspect it has. I carry a backup camera sometimes, especially if its a paid shoot but if I’m just shooting for fun, its not a big deal. Another piece of gear that I use is a light reflector. If you are into portraits this is a must have. I don’t use it all the time because its kind of a pain to hold a camera and a reflector at the same time, but when I do its actually crazy how much of a difference it makes!
I hope this post helps you guys out by giving you a behind the scenes for my pictures. I really hope this post at least made one person realize that the only thing you need to get better is practice. That really is the only way to get better at taking pictures and I promise its not buying a new camera! Get out there and get some great shots! use the hashtag #therawscene. I want to see some of your photos and if I like it i’ll repost it to my story!
As always have a great day everyone!
