Stuff Beginner Photographers ACTUALLY Need...

This video was sponsored by Skillshare.

There's lots of talk about the gear that new photographers need. Multiple cameras, dozens of lenses and hundreds of accessories all stuffed into the most expensive camera bag you've ever bought! I don't think you need anything like that amount of photography gear, and in this video I talk through the essentials for a beginner photographer, to turn it from a hobby into an obsession!

0:00 Intro
1:53 Camera Type
6:32 Lens Choices
10:05 Carrying your kit
12:09 Quick Access options
13:46 The key to success
17:27 Sponsor message

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Thank you :)

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MUSIC:

[JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks for the support everyone! You can find me and my stuff here:

[jeanpiquart]

The most useful tools for outdoors photography are good shoes and a car ! A cheap camera and a good landscape are better than the best camera in a living room !

[anonharingenamn]

As someone who is a bit further into my photography I will say that these tips would've been *really* useful for me when I started out!

[DavidSenteno]

The one tip I can share is to buy used or refurbished from a reputable company. What a cost savings and gives you more bang for your buck. 🥂

[timmy]

Photography is something I’ve always had a passing interest in, my family always said I picked the more interesting photos ok holidays and the like. The sheer volume of “things” you can get for a camera is pretty intimidating tbh, never mind learning the various pros and cons of different lens types. It’s a real rabbit hole! My issue is I love my gadgets and fear once I fall into the rabbit hole it’ll be a financially painful experience lmao.

[algauthier]

As a professional photographer for 20 years, it’s great to see some well considered advice for those new to this world. I agree with everything that’s been said here!

[MarcelVolker]

I would recommend - related to point 5, goals - to pick themes. Some subject that you enjoy shooting and can create a collection of, and that you keep adding to, over time.
This takes some pressure off of you of "having to" get photos with perfect composition, or lighting. As long as you've captured your theme, you feel like you've achieved something. After a while you can create screensavers, calendars, books, around them, which again makes you feel better.
Some themes really helped me remain motivated through the years and in bad photo conditions.

[danggood]

I can fully attest to the Creativity boost you get from limitations. When starting out in photography, i was using a borrowed 35mm film camera. and the only lens i had access to was a telephoto zoom lens. i HAD to get super far from my subject to take shots. it made my early portfolio very unique. most of my classmates had a 50mm, but i was stuck at like a minimum of 135. i don't exactly remember. but the limits forced me to be creative. Thanks for this solid info James.

[cfrost]

The tip you gave at the end about liking components of a photo even when you don't like the photo as a whole is great. We need to have a good balance between knowing what we are doing right and knowing that we still have so much to learn.

[knighterebus]

One thing that I have found out with photography that new photographers have to hear is just being in the right place at the right time! Most of it is honestly just luck! So don’t be discouraged if you haven’t been able to get any good shots. Once you get that ONE really good shot, you’ll be chasing that high again next time you go out!

[DanielMatzen]

The need for a goal was a genius addition. And a completely essential thing that many tend to forget/neglect. It's so easy to become lost in one's creative journey if we don't have any milestones or measurable progress. Really good point there, Mr. Popsys.

[Fulminin]

There is a bunch of things I find that are super helpful. Particularly starting out.
- Prime lens cause they are usually smaller so it is not as awkward to quickly pull out your camera when you don't have a massive zoom lens on it.
- a messenger bag reduces the number steps to pull camera. It is surprising how much taking a backpack off your back discourages people from taking photos.

[Dreyno]

Boredom is one of the reasons I tell people starting guitar to buy an electric. When you’re not able to play much, strumming the same few chords can get boring quickly. Keeping people interested when they’re still crap is the goal.

[ATtravel]

Another good tip for a beginner is not to ignore buying second hand gear. When looking for what James would consider the T swear word (tripod), I went for what would have been an expensive option if not for second hand. In all the camera (bodies, lenses, tripods and stuff) I have only bought one body new. All the second hand gear I bought them from reputable camera shops, both my local - an excellent and invaluable source of advice - and online would have been out of my price range.

[Colaman]

The prime lens is definitely a good lens to get. Before I got my camera, I thought that there was no way I was gonna spend money on a focal length I already have on the kit lens, but then I was asked to shoot photos at Christmas, inside, with kids running around. Obviously shooting fast moving objects in low light without getting blur is not an easy equation to solve. I ended up raising the ISO higher than anyone should feel comfortable and I got usable photos, but not ones you should look too closely. A week later, I got the prime lens.

[RIH_Photography]

Started 8months ago with D50 kit lens and a 50mm nifty fifty all for around £120. Had great results. Getting a D7000 and a wide angle next for around £300. The main thing that helped 1 YouTube 2 your channel 3 always in my thoughts taking a photo about something not of something. Thanks james

[JoshuaPanola]

Kit lenses with good ranges are an amazing thing, especially if you take pictures of the homies just being homies.

[ToastandJam]

Great video. One thing that I think is absolutely critical when considering a camera is comfort. Does it fit well in your hand? Is it too heavy? Are the buttons easy to get to? There have been a few cameras that I did NOT purchase because they failed in one or more of the above criteria.

[JamiePryke]

I still love my 50mm. It's cheap, sharp and the images look fantastic.

[astanisystems]

My suggestion, at least in my experience is to buy lenses for what you're trying to shoot most.

Macro primes - for shooting close up
Portrait primes - 35mm and 50mm
Other primes - higher than 50mm
Telephoto 55 - 200mm or higher
All in one lens 18 - 105mm or higher
Super wide angle primes - anything below 18mm and wide 18-28mm

I'm a Nikon guy, so I listed lenses with common focal lengths for this brand.
Also consider getting lens hoods, helps a lot with light distortions in highly lit up environments and a polarizer filter. You don't need all kinds of crazy filters, they're a waste of money. Most filters will slightly ruin your image, so get a good quality one to reduce it to a bare minimum.