February 4, 2008
-
People are always asking me…
Other professional photographers are always asking me what it takes and what I use to create a finished album or even the simplest photograph. The list below is what I take out to every job, no matter how big or small. Oh, and I almost forgot the most important of things needed… thirty years of shooting experience.
My Rolling Photo Case:
2-Canon 5D 12.3mp digital slr cameras
1-Canon D30 8.1mp digital slr camera
1-Canon 15mm f2.8 Fisheye Lens
1-Sigma 30mm f1.4 Low Light lens
1-Canon 85mm f1.8 lens
1-Canon 24-105mm f4.0 IS L zoom lens
1-Sigma 150mm f2.8 Macro/telephoto lens
1-Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L zoom Lens
3-Canon 580EX II Digital Flashes
Norman Studio Lighting Kit and stands
2-Bogen Professional Tri pods
My Digital Studio
2 PCs, One is a Dell the other a HP
1-Gateway laptop 1-Compac Laptop
1-Epson R220 Inkjet printer
1-Epson R3800 Wall Portrait Chrome Ink printer
2-Sony UPD-150 Dye Sub instant photo printers
1-Sony Snaplab instant printer
1-Zerox Color Laser printer
The Gateway laptop is used for all of my event on site printing for my private parties, trade shows, conventions etc. The Compac laptop is used for my invoicing and business contracts.
My Dell PC is used as a back up computer in case of any crashes or problems while Im working on the HP computer. Even with a back up hard drive I can’t stop when Im working. One thing I am a big beleiver of is having back up equipment, not just on site when Im shooting but also at my home studio.
MY SOFTWARE:
My software library is growing everyday. With all the new software coming out I’m one of those that loves technology and if something can help me be more productive and make my images more interesting, then I have to have it for my clients.
What I have installed and use all the time:
Adobe Photoshop CS2, CS3, Lightroom
Kodak Digital Gem, Digital Roc and Digital Show (all pro versions)
NIK special effect software versions 2.0
ImageTrends new Pearly White and ShineOff software
Pro Show Gold Producer (slide show software)
Kubuto Action sets (all of them)
You Select It (album creation software)
Bullzeye, Collage Builder and Panobook all from www.GaryFonginc.com
ShowIt Web (slideshows for clients on the web)
Express Digital version 9.2
If any of you have any questions regarding any of the equipment or software I use, please feel free to email me for help or suggestions.
Randy
Comments (4)
It is amazing what we have to purchase to keep our photography fresh and up to date with the needs of the brides today. Indeed the good photographer can use simple outfits but to remain on the cutting edge you really do need some of these things to stay competitive as well as ready for anything. Ligthing equipment, the best lenses, procameras, tripods, just to name a few of the basics. That is just the wedding day end of it. Then there is all the hardware and software you need for the editing end.
It really ends up being quite an investment of $ as well as time and skill and commitment to the business and to people.
Kerri
Thanks for sharing all of that. When you feel like it I would love to learn more about the software and why you like it.
I am envious of your desire and ability to print on site when photographing events. Not to mention your dedication to pritning on your own. 30 years of experience hey?…wow that makes you how old??? What you should do now is compare what you started with in your bag (film days) and what you carry now! Not to mention the expense of first breaking into the digital world!
Jaws drop when hanging out with some friends and they finally guess how much my camera setup costs. And I don’t even have the best camera. I COULD crack $20K worth of bodies and lenses alone, and that’s not even counting digital medium format…
Then I remember how LITTLE that cost is compared to the cost of starting any other business!
=Matt=