With all the photography tools we're seeing nowadays, taking photos has never been easier than it is today, where you can take pictures and videos with practically any cell phone or smartphone.
Only the quality differences between cheap cell phones and professional cameras show you which author was at work. But it's always enough for a snapshot as a souvenir. And what's more, most of the photos taken by the hobbyists are then improved beyond recognition with various funny apps before they end up on social media. A professional photographer, on the other hand, doesn't just take snapshots, but delivers a demanding job. To do this, however, he needs significantly more work utensils that are used in his everyday life. We present some of them here.
This is what awaits you today:
- Different types of photography - different materials
- The standard photographic equipment for professionals
- 10 essential tools of the photographer
- equipment
- Other Accessories
Different types of photography - different materials
Not every photographer is the same, so depending on the preferred orientation of the photographer there are also different tools that can be important for him. For example, if you work for National Geographic and lie in wait for an animal documentary in Alaska or in the Sahara waiting for a certain animal to run right in front of your lens. Then the equipment has to withstand large temperature differences (heat / cold) and the photographer is sure to have completely different work clothes as standard than a studio photographer who takes portraits.
Tip!
If you are still at the beginning of your career as a photographer, you can read our instructions on how to register your own business .
Examples of certain directions in photography are:
- Architectural photography
- Baby / child photography
- Event photography
- Family photography
- Company portrait
- Wedding photography
- Real estate photography
- Art photography
- Landscape photography
- Nature photography
- Outdoors
- Portrait / application photos
- Couple photography
- Product photography
- Reportage photography
- Sports photography
- Wildlife photography
- Underwater photography
Each photographic direction also requires special expertise, especially with regard to the right lenses or viewing angles. Unfortunately, we cannot present the complete equipment and the necessary know-how for every style of photography, so we limit ourselves to tools that are used by every photographer.
The standard photographic equipment for professionals
Tools that a photographer needs in everyday life could be everything that he has in his photo studio, what he needs to take photos himself, but also to transport the equipment and post-process the pictures. Therefore there are several cameras, lenses, filters and tripods, along with batteries and memory cards as well as a case (or a photo bag or a photo backpack) for transport. A PC, certain software to optimize the images and a good printer are required for post-processing.
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| A photographer's studio |
Optional equipment for analog photography
Those who do not take digital photos also need utensils for developing the paper images and a darkroom if possible. There are actually still fans of analog photography who are enthusiastic about taking great pictures (and their expensive analog photo equipment). Mainly because the particularly sensitive analog films have a nice grain that digital images do not have and which would have to be laboriously inserted. In any case, digital photos and equipment are more expensive than analog photography.
Sol let's get into our 10 Photography Tools Every Photographer Needs In His Everyday Work shall we?
10 essential tools of the photographer
There are more than 10 tools and these depend on the photographer's tasks and intentions. In addition, the most important utensil - the camera - is available in many different versions, which cannot be presented in detail in the context of this article. The apps that are important for post-processing are also completely different depending on the intended use and the system used (Mac / Windows). Therefore, the 10 tools are only shown as an overview:
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| Different pieces of equipment of a photographer |
The camera
Of course, many photographers have several cameras that are suitable for different shoots and subjects. You practically never leave the house “unarmed”.
- Smartphone / iPhone / cell phone : Many smartphones and iPhones are designed for good photos and can also be used by the photographer if he wants to have an "emergency camera" with him. These cameras can also be post-processed later with various software apps. However, the photographer will get a professional job with the right equipment.
- Compact camera : These cameras have almost been sold today through the use of cell phones. They deliver a significantly better quality , which is, however, very expensive. A professional who has slowly built up his equipment usually still has such a camera, which he can also use to achieve certain effects.
- Bridge cameras: These cameras are intermediate solutions between the compact cameras and the professional devices. They are often equipped with a good zoom, but the quality does not come close to the professional cameras.
- System cameras: But here a professional would take advantage of the range of cameras if necessary, as the system cameras have a lot to offer. Nevertheless, the number one still remains the SLR camera.
- SLR cameras: A professional definitely has a high quality SLR camera. Because there is a huge selection of lenses, good sensors, image stabilizers and many other features.
We consider the Nikon D3500 W/ AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR to be the BEST camera for a beginner photography, not too cheap, not too expensive with a price of only 500$ and great functionality.
The Lenses
Different lenses can be used depending on the camera. It is very important to coordinate the lens types with the respective camera, because not all lenses fit every camera. Photographers are therefore always equipped with many interchangeable lenses.
- Kit lens. The kit lenses are more suitable at the beginning if the photographer has not yet found a particular style for himself. Because these lenses can be used in many ways.
- Zoom lens. In the long run, however, a professional will always use a zoom lens with which he can cover a larger focal length. In addition, the zoom lenses have a better close limit and a greater light intensity.
The filters
Filters are used by the photographer to block out reflections. Otherwise he would have to edit them later. However, if such errors can be prevented in advance, the photographer will save a lot of time later.
- Polarizing filters : Polarizing filters are important in order to achieve good color saturation and to eliminate said reflections.
- ND and UV filters : The ND filter or gray filter is important for long-term exposures, for example in nature photography when sunrises or sunsets are to be photographed. The UV filter also helps to make the images sharper. However, it is not used that often because the polarization filters are usually sufficient for image correction.
The Tripod
Tripods for the cameras are available in several sizes and formats. For outdoor photographs, the camera can also be placed on the photo case for spontaneous pictures. What is popular, however, is a so-called gorilla pod, which the photographer can easily take with him anywhere.
In addition, a remote control can also be used in conjunction with this for self-release. In this way, the photographer can still pick at his subjects while the camera is pointed at it and he can trigger it from a distance.
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The Photo Bag
To carry the camera and all accessories, including cables, memory cards and the like, a photo bag is always with you. Optionally there are also photo backpacks or photo cases. That also depends on how many utensils the photographer wants or has to carry with him. Often he also uses all three variants.
Equipment
The accessories are diverse. In a studio, for example, backdrops or various photo wallpapers are used, for children and animals, toys or similar decorative objects may be used. Small accessories that every photographer needs include:
The replacement battery
It should never happen that in the middle of a commissioned photograph, for example with wedding photos, the battery runs out and the photographer has to stop. Therefore, he always has a spare battery with him.
The charger
Just as important is a quick charger that the photographer always has in his photo case.
The flash unit
For interiors, i.e. for events in closed rooms or for studio photos, the photographer needs a flash. Flash units are also required for some outdoor shots. As a rule, however, he will forego cameras with an integrated flash, as this is far too weak.
The memory cards
Without memory cards, the shoot quickly reaches its limits, because after all, as many pictures as possible should be made and not just as many as can fit on the memory card. Therefore, a professional always has more spare memory cards with him.
Post processing:
When the photos are banned on the memory card, the photographer's work is far from over. Because now it's time to post-process. A computer and various software are always required for this. One doesn't work without the other, so this tool is described as a position.
The computer and the image processing software
The photographer has different demands on a computer for photo management and image processing than a gamer. In any case, it should be as new as possible and as fast as possible, with plenty of storage space and a good graphics card. Many professionals prefer to work with a MacBook rather than Windows, but that is a matter of taste and also depends on the software being used.
In addition to the computer, the photographer always has one or more external hard drives in use for backup and backup . These are preferably particularly shock-resistant.
With regard to the software , various programs come into question, which the photographer uses to develop , edit and manage his photos. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom or Capture One and Affinity Photo, for example, are popular. But it always depends on the intended use. There is also special software for different areas. For example, for astronomical images or for landscape and panorama photos.
Other Accessories
In addition to the necessary equipment, there are also little helpers that are not a “must have” but are at least a “nice to have” tool. Some of them should be briefly mentioned at the end.
Effects
Creative photographers always try to incorporate special effects into their pictures. Therefore, among other things, they also work with many tools for special effects .
For example with glass prisms for light refraction effects or with battery-operated fairy lights . Especially in the area of props and effects, there are no limits. If you want, you can later use your software to add graphic surprises to the photos and, for example, digitally transport a couple into an underwater world or let a wedding party chase digital dinosaurs.
Protection requirements
A photographer who wants to take outdoor photos in wind and weather, or even has to because he needs recordings of rain scenes, needs suitable weatherproof protective covers for his accessories. Because no camera is 100% weatherproof. The memory cards and the spare battery or other accessories should be protected in the same way.
For lenses, it is advisable for the photographer to briefly clean them when changing lenses in order to prevent the dust from causing sensor stains on the photos later. He therefore often has microfiber cloths or a bellows with him to clean the lens.
Comfort
The cameras have to be at hand at all times at events and snapshots can only be taken if the photographer doesn't have to laboriously get them out of his backpack. But if you carry your camera around in your hand or hang it over your shoulder, you will quickly notice that this can be very uncomfortable.
That's why professionals have camera straps with padded shoulder pads or capture clips to attach them to the backpack. Portrait photographers also make sure to wear the cameras at least with hand straps so that they don't accidentally fall to the ground. All options are also a great help when it comes to theft protection.
These were our "10 Photography Tools Every Photographer Needs In His Everyday Work" for you. I hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to leave us your question down below in the comments. We would love to hear from you.
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