What equipment would you recommend for a beginning photographer?
All I hаνе іѕ a 35mm SLR аnd plans tο bυу a digital. Whаt wουld уου ѕау іѕ thе elemental equipment needed tο ѕtаrt? I’m looking аt a set οf reflectors, a diffuser, filters, аnd flash. I already hаνе a ехсеllеnt tripod.
a camra
Unless you are plotting to set up a studio you can forget everything but maybe an on-camera flash unit that will be compatible with the digital camera you eventually buy that will use all the lenses on your 35mm SLR. Also a portable reflector like the Photoflex “LiteDisk” might come in clever on outdoor shoots.
If you do choose to place together a studio you may save some time, frustration and money by making it portable and using “hot” lights thus avoiding the buy of “studio” flash units.
Here is what I have and it cost me under $200. A Savage portable background stand ($100), a Lowel Tota-light ($40 used and it came with the lamp and has barndoors), a light stand ($2 at a garage sale), a colorless Lowel umbrella ($25 new), various colors of yardage in 4 yard lengths from the bargain table at a local yardage store ($1 a yard).
The Tota-light is what the TV stations use when they are doing interviews in peoples homes and is very small and portable. Tota-light makes a Tota-frame for 10”x12” gels (under $30) if you want to do theatrical lighting at some point.