Photography has changed a great deal over time, not least with the invention of the digital camera. The instant feedback this provides means that a photographer can see any mistakes he/she has made and try again as many times as it takes to get the perfect picture. This article provides information about the various pieces of equipment you can purchase in order to improve your photographs.
Tripod
The best accessories always open doors to experimentation and creativity and present ways to further your picture taking skills and interests. A tripod is your passport to table top photography, self portraits, close up studies, pictures in low light without having to use flash (which can obliterate atmospheric ambient light), to night time photography and so much more. A world previously unseen opens up to you and only a tripod can get you there.
Filters
These are glass-like squares placed within a mount screwed to the filter thread of the lens to add a creative effect to an image or to correct the predicted colour cast of a light source. Although they are less popular now than in their hey day (the rise of digital image editing, the whims of fashion) there are some very useful filters around which any photographer should consider using. Broadly speaking, filters can be categorised by their purpose into the following groups: Colourless filters (which can be used for both colour and black and white film), Colour conversion & light balancing filters (these are primarily designed for colour film where strong casts caused by “warm” or “cold” light can be corrected by a filter), Special Effects filters (there are many of these and they can include multi-image fiters, double exposure masks, and even false rainbows) and Contrast Control filters (which come in yellow, orange and red).
Flashgun
A good flash will be an indespensible friend in times of need. Weʼll take a closer look at the uses of flash in a little while. As an essential accessory the flash unit has many more creative uses aside from the usual full-on,
direct-to-subject light. You can bounce it, filter it, remove it from the camera and fire it, and when synchronised with a much slower shutter speed than is usual, can produce some very interesting results.
Exposure meter & Grey Card
These are useful additional items to any kit bag as they allow you a belt & braces approach to getting accurate exposures. In tricky lighting conditions, a hand-held exposure meter can give a more accurate reading than your cameras exposure meter and an 18% Grey Card can “average-out” the light falling on a particular scene - for example a snow scene in bright sun - just the kind of situation that will fool many camera exposure meters into over-exposing.
Lens cleaning kit
Every lens picks up dirt and hair from time to time. Keeping a small lens cleaning kit to hand will help you out on countless occasions.
Gadget bags & protective casing
These come in many shapes and sizes with varying degrees of toughness and water resistance. Rucksacks, waistbags, bum bags, shoulder bags are the most common types and generally speaking you get what you pay for. But you should try out these different forms of protective bags to find out which suit you and which don’t, rather than simply buy online.
This article has been put together by the distance learning organisation Start Learning who are experts in home study.
If you want to find out more about Digital Photography or many other distance learning courses please browse their website: http://www.start-learning.co.uk
Kerrana McAvoy
Academic Director – Start Learning
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