Beginning a career journey like photography/videography can be intimidating and quite the trial and error process. Fortunately, creators share safe spaces like instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube, etc.
These social media platforms, serve as support groups where we can collaborate, market, communicate, basically any form of entrepreneurial support you can think of.
The endless resources available to the modern creative really is a blessing.
Here and now, as creatives it is our duty to share our sacred knowledge with the less experienced newbie. Detailed here we have a beginners list of equipment/tools each creator needs to navigate the chaos of this field.
Crawl before you walk…
The real starting point for any photographer or videographer is the camera body, but WHICH one will you choose?
If your prose is more geared toward photography, the regulars will insist on a Canon EOS 6D Mark II, or a Nikon D3500. The specifics on each camera body would need an article a piece just to get through a beginner tutorial. See attached links for further details on camera bodies.
Now if you feel like photography is cool, but you want to ride the trendy wave that is video,
then you are better off looking for a Sony body. Like photo, the options are endless with video specific camera bodies. You can splurge and buy a Red cinema body, Black Magic, Fuji, etc.
If you are still experimenting, and don’t feel comfortable unloading thousands of dollars,
I would suggest investing a couple thousand and buy the full frame DSLR Sony a7III Mirrorless Camera. Also if Sony isn’t your jam, there are alternatives like the Black Magic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6k Pro.
DSLR Sony pictured here
Find some common lens… (camera pun) hehe
There is no composition (picture) without the lens, unfortunately like the camera body there are countless lenses to choose from. The more important question when it comes to the lens is WHAT type of photos or videos are you hoping to capture?
For example, if you plan to take portraits of models and or people for close up shots.
You will need a zoom lens, like the Sigma 24-70 mm. This lens is a great starter, will teach a beginner how to acclimate to low lighting, great for learning portrait photography, etc.
The pay off from the Sigma lens is it could be out of some creatives price range ($1100 with tax). If you empathize with this then a cheaper and very close to similar quality option would be the Tamron 28-75 mm zoom lens ($950) with tax). It’s always nice knowing you don’t have to break the bank just getting started. The beauty of these lens options, they can focus close onto your subject, or they can zoom out for a broader image in landscape focus.
Sigma 24-70mm lens pictured here.
Final steps…
Besides a camera body and a lens, the final tool most creatives need if not already had,
would be a Mac desktop/laptop and then a photo/video editing software to learn post production. Mac’s are not the only option for a desktop, but they have very good virus protection, and solid memory space. Photo, and especially video editing software needs file space to handle large files that will hold your content.
Finally once you have your desktop, your lens, and your camera body…
The ultimate tool needed is video editing software,
Come back for next month’s Cre47ives article!
Breaking down a beginners guide to Final Cut Pro, transitions, audio, editing, everything you need to learn a beginner’s tutorial of FCP!
Here is a list of equipment and references:
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-dslr
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1394217-REG/sony_ilce_7m3_alpha_a7_iii_mirrorless.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1516303-REG/sigma_24_70mm_f_2_8_dg_dn.html
https://www.rtings.com/camera/reviews/sony
https://shotkit.com/best-lenses-for-beginners/
Written by: Lucas Velazquez