Enough Equipment?
by William Lulow
I was just thinking about equipment that most photographers have at their disposal. These days, many people who have a good digital camera or even an iPhone, call themselves a “photographer.” They may even have some skills at composition and exposure. But most professional photographers I have known also have a whole slew of items in their “studios” that help them create really great images. These items are just about required if you intend on trying to make really good pictures. I remember when I began buying equipment. I needed “hot lights” for my classes at the New School and I slowly bought regular studio flash units as I needed them and could afford them. Over the years, I have upgraded most of my lighting and studio equipment, but I still have some of my early lights which are still working and very useful. My theory has been that light is light. It really doesn’t matter what kinds of units you use as long as they are all in working condition and you can rely on them to output the kind and amount of light you need for your purposes. It’s good to remember that light from photoflood-type light bulbs will become yellower over time before they burn out from use. But today, most serious photographers and students use light from electronic flash units that produce a constant output quality.
So, if you take your photography seriously, enough to invest some money in photo accessories, these are some of the things you should have in your “kit.”
1. At least two light stands
2. Some 16×20” black & white reflector cards. The ones shown are just white, but you can get them black on one side and white on the other.
3. A “work light” – the kind you can buy at a hardware store with a spring clamp. This is the light you will need to begin studying how light is used for portraits. It’s fairly simple and only costs around $10.
4. A small, portable flash unit (usually the brand that is made for your camera). These can run several hundred dollars, but you don’t have to get the fanciest one. Just a good one.
5. A couple of “A” clamps, for attaching reflector cards
6. A roll of gaffer tape.
7. A small, photographic umbrella
8. A good tripod. You will need a decent tripod for making images with slow shutter speeds. It is a necessity if you desire images that are tack sharp. Really good tripods are expensive ($150 or so). But you can get a good, sturdy one for less than $100.
These are what I call studio basic necessities. You will use them all at one point or another. But they serve as a basic collection of accessories that will help you not only to learn how to use light, but in practicing what you learn about light.
Equipment is part of the game when it comes to photography. If you are uncomfortable with setting up light stands, reflectors and lights, taping things together or just with equipment in general, you will have a hard time learning the basics of this art form if your desire is to control the light you use. If you just want to learn to operate your camera better, that’s one thing. That, you can do without fooling around with too much equipment. But if you truly want to learn how light is used to create images, using photographic accessories is a must. There have been successful photographers who have actually hired assistants to carry and set up their equipment, but not too many. The more familiar you are with all the various items used to make images, the better and easier it will be to get your photographic work done and at decent quality.
