Buying the Right Photo Equipment: 70 Tips from the Top (Rocky Nook)

We've all heard the saying, "Clothes make the man"; but does the photographic equipment make the photographer? One might think so when looking at new advanced cameras, dream lenses, and all the editing software out there. Others might disagree after admiring the wonderful photographs by Henri Cartier Bresson or Edward Weston, which were taken with relatively simple cameras and lenses. The real questions to ask yourself are: What kind of images would I like to make? And what are all these things that I see advertised as indispensable photo equipment really for? Geared toward the beginning to intermediate photographer, this book teaches about the variety of photographic tools available and what each is meant to accomplish. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of various pieces of equipment and discover what kind of gear you need to realize your creative ambitions. The book is filled with beautiful images that illustrate how the type of equipment discussed can affect an image. Cover Page......Page 1 Title Page......Page 2 Copyright......Page 3 Contents......Page 5 Introduction......Page 7 Choosing a Lens......Page 10 1 Bringing distant subjects closer Using telephoto lenses......Page 11 2 Increasing the feeling of space Using wide-angle lenses......Page 12 3 Be prepared Using standard lenses......Page 13 4 Maximize your flexibility Using Zoom lenses......Page 15 5 Discover new worlds Using macro lenses......Page 16 6 Keeping things sharp Using fixed focal length lenses......Page 17 7 Adjusting the closest focusing distance Using extension tubes......Page 19 8 Increasing telephoto range Using teleconverters......Page 20 9 Shooting in low light Using wide-aperture lenses......Page 22 10 Producing extreme spatial effects Using fisheye lenses......Page 23 11 Architects like straight lines Perspective control (PC) lenses......Page 24 12 Fantastic landscapes Using a 24 mm lens......Page 25 13 The perfect focal length for travel photos Using a 50 mm lens......Page 28 14 Minimizing distortion in portraits Using a 105 mm lens......Page 29 15 Long lenses for getting right up close Using a 300 mm lens......Page 31 16 Preventing unwanted reflections Using a lens hood......Page 32 17 Creative images with variable focus Using Lensbaby lenses......Page 33 Filter Know-How......Page 36 18 Consistent exposure throughout the frame Using a graduated gray (ND) filter......Page 37 19 Lengthening your exposure time Using a gray (ND) filter......Page 38 20 No more fingerprints on the lens Thanks to skylight filters......Page 39 21 Photographing through glass without reflections Using a polarizing filter......Page 41 22 Intensifying colors Using a UV filter......Page 42 23 Shooting in mixed light Using a white balance filter......Page 43 24 Adjusting a compact camera's lens range Using telephoto and wide-angle accessory lenses......Page 45 25 Shooting close-ups without an expensive specialty lens Using close-up lenses......Page 46 Using a Tripod to Keep Things Steady......Page 48 26 A stable base for your camera Tripods......Page 49 27 Preventing camera shake Using a remote shutter release......Page 50 28 Flexible tripod heads Ball heads......Page 51 29 Support for heavy lenses Using a monopod......Page 54 30 Constructing panorama images Using a panorama head......Page 55 The World of Flash......Page 58 31 Freezing movement Using portable accessory flash......Page 59 32 Simulating daylight in a studio Using studio flash......Page 60 33 Adjusting flash to provide the right effect Using a swivel flash unit......Page 61 34 Controlling contrast Using portable reflectors......Page 63 35 Making flash softer Using a diffuser......Page 64 36 Keeping control of flash Using a flash bracket......Page 65 37 Reducing flash contrast Using ring flash......Page 66 Protecting Your Gear......Page 68 38 Safely stowed on the road......Page 70 39 Protecting your lenses Using lens bags......Page 71 40 Both hands free With a photo backpack......Page 72 41 Diving with your camera Using an underwater housing......Page 73 42 Keeping your equipment clean Using a camera cleaning kit......Page 75 43 Outdoor camouflage Using a purpose-built hide......Page 76 44 Braving the weather Using a rain cover......Page 77 45 Don't forget your tripod Tripod bags......Page 78 Other Useful Accessories......Page 80 46 Mastering difficult lighting Using a light meter......Page 81 47 Controlling color rendition Using a color meter......Page 84 48 Helping a "confused" camera meter Using a gray card......Page 85 49 Setting white balance manually Using a white card as a reference......Page 86 50 Creating a neutral background Using your own props......Page 88 51 Protecting your batteries from the cold Always carry spares......Page 89 52 Keep your batteries ready for action Using a charger......Page 91 53 Back up your photos regularly Using a portable hard disk or card reader......Page 92 54 Extra power for your camera Using a battery grip......Page 94 55 Retaining a clear view Using a viewfinder eyecup......Page 95 56 Always keep some memory in reserve Using a spare memory card......Page 97 57 Constant companions Compact cameras for everyday use......Page 98 58 Keeping the horizon straight Using a spirit level......Page 99 59 Viewing the monitor image on a computer Using a wireless transmitter......Page 102 The Digital Darkroom......Page 104 60 The computer— mankind's new best friend Image processing software......Page 105 61 Digitizing your negatives Using a scanner......Page 106 62 Controlling the entire digital image-processing workflow Using a RAW converter......Page 107 63 Papering the walls with panoramas Using stitching software......Page 109 64 Increasing the dynamic range of an image Using HDR software......Page 111 65 Organizing your images Using image management software......Page 113 66 Creating digital archives Using external storage media......Page 114 67 Presenting your images on the Internet In a web gallery......Page 116 68 Color matching your monitor and your prints Using monitor calibration hard- and software......Page 117 69 Choosing a photo printer Inkjet technology is improving fast......Page 120 70 Choosing your paper carefully Normal and art grade photo paper......Page 121 What Equipment Do the Pros Use?......Page 123 Afterword......Page 125 Photo Credits......Page 126 F......Page 127 P......Page 128 Z......Page 129

We've all heard the saying, Clothes make the man; but does the photographic equipment make the photographer? One might think so when looking at new advanced cameras, dream lenses, and all the editing software out there. Others might disagree after admiring the wonderful photographs by Henri Cartier Bresson or Edward Weston, which were taken with relatively simple cameras and lenses.

The real questions to ask yourself are: What kind of images would I like to make? And what are all these things that I see advertised as indispensable photo equipment really for?

Geared toward the beginning to intermediate photographer, this book teaches about the variety of photographic tools available and what each is meant to accomplish. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of various pieces of equipment and discover what kind of gear you need to realize your creative ambitions. The book is filled with beautiful images that illustrate how the type of equipment discussed can affect an image.

This book will teach you about the variety of photographic tools available and what each item is meant to accomplish. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of various pieces of equipment and discover what kind of gear you need to realize your creative ambitions.