| Let's say you have made the commitment to join | | | | camera flash to add a little pop in the dark |
| the world of stock photography, you have an | | | | confines of their huts made a huge difference. |
| excuse, and a valid one, to go out and buy some | | | | Every stock shooter needs at least one reflector, |
| photography gear. What I will share with you here | | | | and a collapsible 32" reflector with white on one |
| is not necessarily the perfect answer as what to | | | | side and gold on the other is a versatile |
| get, but what does work for me. I can give you | | | | workhorse that is large enough to handle a |
| some guidelines, and tips, but in every case you | | | | torso-sized subject and small enough to fit in your |
| will need to take into consideration your own | | | | backpack. Get one of those. Personally, that one |
| situation, what and how you will be shooting, what | | | | size has been invaluable for me and I always have |
| your budget constraints are and a host of other | | | | one available when I am shooting. |
| personal considerations. | | | | As far as flash units go, over the years I have |
| Let's start with cameras. I have a fair number of | | | | used Elinchrome, Balcar, Speedotron and Profoto. |
| would-be professionals ask me what cameras | | | | They have all worked well for me. At this point I |
| they should buy...and most of the time they end | | | | am using Profoto 7bs. Each pack can handle two |
| up putting price ahead of quality. That is a | | | | heads with a total of 1200-watt seconds and |
| mistake. If you want to shoot professionally, and | | | | have removable batteries, which can handle of |
| to compete with all of the others who are doing | | | | 200 full power flashes. |
| so, buy a professional caliber camera that meets | | | | I am totally happy with these units. I have taken |
| the image quality requirements of the big | | | | them with me to Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Mexico |
| agencies. To fail to do so will be putting you at a | | | | and India. Again, though, do your own research. |
| significant disadvantage. | | | | Check the forums, read the reviews, even |
| You can't go wrong with the high-end cameras | | | | better, rent some units and try them out. You will |
| from Canon and Nikon. The models and specs | | | | need to take into consideration the flexibility of |
| keep changing and improving, but if you go with | | | | the units, the weight and size, the power output, |
| one of their professional level models you well | | | | whether they are battery operated or not, and all |
| have spent your money wisely. I, at the time of | | | | the various features the different units offer. |
| this writing, am shooting with a Canon 1ds MKII, a | | | | If you do end up using studio (and location) power |
| Canon 1ds MKIII, and a Canon 5d MKII. If I were | | | | packs I highly recommend radio triggers or |
| starting out today I would buy the Canon 5d MKII. | | | | "slaves". I use Pocket Wizards, but there are a |
| To determine which camera is best for you, you | | | | number of brands and my lack of experience with |
| should go to a camera store and hold the top | | | | other brands should not prevent you from |
| models, see how they feel and get an idea of | | | | checking the other ones out. Once you go |
| what would be most comfortable for you. If you | | | | wireless, you can't go back. |
| shoot sports you will probably want a different | | | | While I mostly rely on my "studio" power packs |
| model than if you shoot still life. If you shoot in | | | | for my produced shoots, in certain situations on |
| low light levels you might want a different model | | | | camera flashes play an important role for me. On |
| than if you shoot primarily in bright light. That is | | | | my last trip to India to shoot stock photos I |
| why you must do your research. BTW, the | | | | wanted to travel light, and relied on the Canon |
| newest Canons and Nikons have truly remarkable | | | | 580 EX unit supplemented with a Quantum Turbo |
| low light performance that represent a sea | | | | SC battery. |
| change in photography. | | | | At one point we even had two photographers |
| Your lenses are your next choice. I could probably | | | | sharing the Quantum at the same time (it has |
| do all my stock photography with the Canon | | | | two power outlets). It was a great decision for |
| 24-105 IS L series lens. That being said, I also find | | | | the kind of photography and style of trip I had |
| useful, pretty much in this sequence, the Canon | | | | planned. |
| 100-400 IS zoom L Series, the 16-35 Zoom, | | | | On occasion I have used hot lights too. I own a |
| 70-200 f2.8 and a f2 135mm. Buying Canon or | | | | pair of Lowel Tota Lights for the rare instances |
| Nikon lenses over third party lenses, in my | | | | when I need continuous light. They are very |
| experience, give you a bit more sharpness and a | | | | portable and with a 1000-watt bulb put out a |
| lot more ruggedness. If you are on a budget, | | | | good amount of light (and a lot of heat too). Don't |
| start with a lens in that 24-105 range, and use | | | | plug them in to a 220-volt source though; then |
| that until you find that you are consistently in | | | | they become flash units capable of only one flash, |
| need of something more. | | | | as I found out in a moment of inattention while |
| It is my firm belief that if you are competing in | | | | shooting in Argentina. |
| the serious world of stock photography you will | | | | The coming thing, however, might just be |
| need some form of lighting equipment. Even when | | | | continuous fluorescent Lighting. Google that term |
| there is plenty of light, say at 4:00pm on a sunny | | | | and you will find plenty of information on it. The |
| day at the beach, you can create images with | | | | light is beautiful, but in the past when I have tried |
| more impact, and that will sell better, if you add | | | | them I have found the low output a little limiting. |
| additional lighting. | | | | Now, however, with the new increased ISO |
| It may be as simple as a reflector, or might | | | | speeds possible with the latest Canon and Nikon |
| involve strobes. Recently I found myself back | | | | cameras, and possible advances with the lighting |
| pedaling through the edge of the surf at the | | | | units themselves, they may be a great option for |
| beach, shooting away at a model running towards | | | | you. Try them. My advice is to try everything and |
| me, while an assistant back pedaled alongside me | | | | find out what best meshes with your style of |
| holding a power pack in one hand and a strobe | | | | shooting and the look you are after. |
| head in the other. The added highlight from the | | | | I firmly believe in having the right tool for the job. |
| flash provides that little extra something that sets | | | | If you don't or can't own, rent. But trying to |
| that photograph apart from the countless other | | | | skimp when you have the success of a shoot in |
| competing images. My experience has consistently | | | | the balance is false economy. |
| been that used intelligently, supplemental lighting | | | | Get the basics then start shooting and learning. |
| invariably produces a better image than I can | | | | With the instant feedback of digital cameras you |
| obtain without. Even when shooting Padueng Tribal | | | | can make adjustments after each exposure until |
| Women in remote regions of Myanmar (the ones | | | | you get it right. So what are you waiting for? Go |
| with the "rings" around their necks) having an on | | | | shoot! |