Welcome to Gear & Maintenance
Welcome to the toy box, I mean, the professional equipment laboratory. If you’ve ever spent three hours debating the merits of a carbon fiber tripod or wondered if that “must-have” external flash is actually worth the weight in your bag, you’re in good company. This is where I will talk about the tools of the trade: what to buy, how to use it, and how to keep it from falling apart.
In this section, I’m pulling back the curtain on everything in my bag and on my wish list (which is rather long…). I’ll dive into camera bodies and lenses, find the best ways to carry your gear across a state park, and tackle the technical stuff like lighting and accessories. And because great gear only works if it’s functional, I’ll also show you how to maintain it all so you don’t end up with “technical difficulties” right when the light is perfect. From the first purchase to the five-year tune-up, let’s make sure your kit is as ready for the journey as you are.
- Choosing The Right Camera Bag
Because your gear deserves better than a grocery bag. So, What Exactly Is a Camera Bag? Let’s start at the very beginning, because even the most seasoned photographer started somewhere, probably with a camera stuffed into a school backpack next to a sweaty gym shirt. A camera bag is a purpose-built carrying solution designed to… - How To Choose A Camera Lens
A Guide for Pixel Peepers, Gear Hoarders, and Everyone In Between So you’ve decided to venture beyond the “kit lens that came in the box” phase of your photography journey. Congratulations! You are about to enter a world of magical glass, bewildering acronyms, and credit card decisions you will definitely not regret. (You will absolutely… - A Guide To External Flashes
Shedding Light on External Flashes: Your Guide to Better Photography (No Deer-in-Headlights Look Required) Let’s be honest: we’ve all been there. You’re at a family gathering, dimly lit restaurant, or evening event, and you think, “I’ll just use my camera’s built-in flash.” Ten shots later, everyone looks like they’re auditioning for a witness protection program,… - Do You Really Need a Tripod?
Do You Really Need a Tripod? Let’s Settle This Once and for All Spend enough time around photographers, especially the kind who willingly wake up before sunrise, and you’ll notice a familiar sight. Tripods everywhere. Some look like they’ve survived multiple wars, others are pristine and suspiciously clean, as if they were purchased with great… - Pros and Cons of Mirrorless Cameras
Pros and Cons of Mirrorless Cameras: A Practical Guide for Photographers Are They Right for Your Photography Style? Camera technology has come a long way over the years. Film gave way to digital, digital got faster and smarter, and now we’ve seen one of the biggest shifts yet: the move from traditional DSLRs to mirrorless…