Advice will be most appreciated

ktbkr

ktbkr

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Name
Katie Baker
Edit My Images
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Hello,

Rather than sitting on the internet for hrs trying to look for what I want I thought I'd ask you knowledgeable guys for help! Basically I've always been into photography since a young age, pictures have always fascinated me! My partner brought me my first SLR camera (Canon 1000D) with the standard lens & the 75 - 200 ml lens (Yes I was spoilt :-)) & ever since then I've really got into photography & would like to take it more seriously & start to build up my portfolio & do work on the side until I get good enough (hopefully!) to start doing it for a living.

I'd like to start doing portrait shots of newborns, kids & families & would like any advice on what type of accessories you think I should purchase as I have looked online & there are so many to choose from varying in prices! I would like to keep the costs to a minimum until I can afford to replace them with higher end equipment. For now I just want to practice at a good professional level & then see where I go from there.

So if you know of any good recommended flash guns & other equipment which you may think would be useful then please do let me know.

Many thanks in advance,

Katie :)
 
If you're doing portraits, you'll probably want a nice fast lens for a shallower depth of field (f/1.8 and lower).

On a budget, the 50mm f/1.8 is a good start. Can be had for about £60 second hand.
 
Thanks Michael, I'd heard good things about the EF 50mm f/1.8 MK II although I didn't realise it sold for a good price too I just assumed it would be pricey! I'll definitely take a look on the net now for one.
 
You don't need to spend a fortune. As well as the Nifty Fifty, you should consider getting a flashgun. It doesn't need to be an expensive one, but it gives you options to start with a more controlled lighting setup.

You can then start to look at Off Camera Flash, and a more formal studio setup using multiple flashguns.

A reflector - Less than £15 ATM from 7dayshop is another good buy.
 
You've got the lens you need - just use it wide open - shoot outdoors on overcast days - and use a reflector to bounce some light onto faces. Cheap - simple - and (almost) foolproof! Don't complicate things with a lot of gear at the beginning - simple is always best.
 
awp said:
You've got the lens you need - just use it wide open - shoot outdoors on overcast days - and use a reflector to bounce some light onto faces. Cheap - simple - and (almost) foolproof! Don't complicate things with a lot of gear at the beginning - simple is always best.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. A reflector is probably THE most underrated buy for fledgling portrait togs. Team it up with a good dose of imagination and you're onto a winner. Lights and posh lenses cone later....
 
I agree with what's already been said. The 50mm f/1.8 is a fantastic lens, especially at such a cheap price! Reflectors are also cheap and extremely useful - I definitely recommend getting one. I got a 1-in-5 one from a shop on Ebay for under £15 and it's excellent :) If you're desperate for more equipment I'd get those two things first personally, and just work on your shots and making sure they're as good as possible before you go and spend a fortune!
 
Cheers for all of your feed back which I've listened to & have taken your advice! I've ordered the 1-in-5 reflector which I'm looking forward to arriving so I can start practising with! I'm also going to order the 50mm lens as by the sounds of it, how could I not? Once I've had a play around with all my new attachments I'll upload some pictures for feed back!

Many thanks again guys! :thumbs:
 
ktbkr said:
Cheers for all of your feed back which I've listened to & have taken your advice! I've ordered the 1-in-5 reflector which I'm looking forward to arriving so I can start practising with! I'm also going to order the 50mm lens as by the sounds of it, how could I not? Once I've had a play around with all my new attachments I'll upload some pictures for feed back!

Many thanks again guys! :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Kerso on here does a special TP members price on the 50mm.

£75 delivered.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=185895
 
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Good advice above :thumbs: It's more about technique than equipment and you can shoot great portraits and kiddies with basic stuff.

In order of priorities, I would get a) a reflector (try it with window light), b) 50 1.8, and c) a decent flash gun with a shoot-through brolly and a stand (plus trigger or cord).
 
Thanks Richard, all advice has been taken on board & I'm awaiting my reflectors to arrive in the post which I'm looking forward to trying out. I'll see how I go with them & will look into getting the Nifty Fifty, everyone has said good things about it! I'll upload some of my shots in a few weeks time & you can tell me what you think! :thumbs:
 
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