You have not been able to resist, perhaps you have not realized it, but you are already submerged up to your neck, you have already fully entered the photographic world and it is too late to back out. It has captivated you, it has fascinated you, you are hooked ? And now how are you going to leave it? Now that you feel so fascinated? But hey, when you start to get a little deeper, the wallet cringes in pain, we recommend good lenses but good lenses are expensive, we recommend good cameras, but they are also expensive… Welcome to the real world. Photography is an expensive hobby, don't kid yourself, it's not like picking mushrooms or playing ping pong, but like any hobby, you can raise the price to infinity or work hard to achieve the same results without breaking the bank. Let's see what you can do without or how you can replace it and what not ?
WHAT MATERIAL DO I NEED AND WHAT NOT?
CAMERA BODY
This is a point that you should NOT stress over, unless you have a 1 MP parent camera. We will not get tired of repeating that the camera body is not especially important when it comes to getting good photos , so with an inherited, second-hand one, or with one of the recommendations for beginners that we make on the blog, you will be more than happy. served ? Of course, if you want to dive headlong into the photographic world, my personal advice is to have interchangeable lenses, a viewfinder and, above all, manual controls .
THE OBJECTIVE
If you're willing to spend on something, make it a good goal . My personal recommendation is that you buy one that is really good, just one, and get smart with it. In my camera I only go with the King of lenses ? that forces me to move, to move up and down, to get closer, to move away... But it gives me amazing sharpness, luminosity, and image quality ? . Of course it is not mandatory, if you are fascinated by the landscape you may enjoy a Wide Angle more , or if you have been captivated by Macro photography, from a macro lens. Be that as it may, if you can, invest. My personal advice is that if you are on a tight budget, skip the kit zoom lenses and invest that money in a good lens that suits your needs . If you need to lengthen the wait a bit until you save enough and even if it seems hard, do it ? . If you got the urge and you bought the kit with the lens included, don't worry, to start with you have more than enough (and to continue as well).
FLASH
If you have a luminous lens, you will need it rarely. If you already have optics and it is not particularly bright, then investing in a flash can be a good option. There are very cheap ones (for less than 100 Euros) and with good results, don't be scared ?
TRIPOD
For ordinary mortals (this does not include those crazy about the landscape, or macro photography), with a simple tripod we are going to kill ourselves. Just make sure it's sturdy, stable, and with a ball-shaped head so it can rotate in all directions. If even so, it is beyond your budget, do as we have all done: some books stacked here, a shelf, a table... If your thing is to set up a professional studio or you are crazy about sharpness, don't even think about it, but if what you want is a photo here and one there, from time to time, you can wake up with what you have at home.
WHERE TO BUY
SECOND HAND MARKETS
If you know how to search, you can find good material at a good price. Photography is a capricious vice and, we are not going to fool ourselves, we usually spend our lives dreaming of the next model of camera, no matter how much we repeat to ourselves that this is the least important. Deep down we think that well, it won't be that important, but something yes ?
And since capriciousness is widespread, many people sell good material (cared for and/or little used) with the hope of being able to buy a superior model, not because the one they have is not good or sufficient. Your duty as a photographer who does not want to go bankrupt in this hobby is to take a look at this world.
- Buy in places that offer you a guarantee
- Pay attention to the ratings and comments of other users
- Requests the approximate number of shots taken by the camera. If you don't know what I'm talking about, take a look at this interesting article ?
- Assess the general state
Evaluate physical stores where they will offer you a guarantee, although at somewhat higher prices than on the network. However, the best deals are usually found on second-hand portals on the internet. Of course, if you are not sure, better not risk it ?
NEW
- Internet : On the net we usually recommend Amazonbecause it gives a guarantee at a very good price, you just need to take a look and you will see why we recommend it so much ?
- Physical stores : They still exist and a priori they offer you a direct and on-site tract with professionals capable of solving your doubts, advising you and selling what is most recommended for you.
STUDIES AND HOME REMEDIES
There are few photographic accessories that with some imagination and time you cannot create yourself at a ridiculous budget. If you don't believe me, take a look at this very comprehensive article for do-it-yourselfers and ordinary mortals alike ?
Have you taken a look at it? Surprise the shed that you can assemble with a few cardboard, t-shirts, curtains, lights that you have at home... Even professional lighting such as Beauty Dish lamps , light boxes to photograph products, etc. What do you like macro photography? You can also enter this world (a priori expensive), at a low price .
PHOTO EDITING
Not everything is Photoshop, Lightroom or other classic (and paid) editing programs. If you don't want to pay anything, you will also find editing programs at zero cost, with very good results. By now you probably already know a few, am I wrong? ?
ACCESSORIES
Here is an article with photographic accessories for less than 100 Euros, so you don't despair and so you can see that you can improve your world for relatively little investment ?
REMEMBER THAT THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOL IS FREE
Practice . Research, read and practice again. The information is everywhere. In this blog, for example, we make an effort to make it so, but there are also millions of forums and fans who comment, ask questions and respond disinterestedly everywhere. Of course, if you are lost among so much information and you want all the knowledge concentrated in a practical, orderly, reviewed and enjoyable way, you can always take a look at Mario's course ?
EXCUSES ARE WHAT INCREASE THE PRICE OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
I don't take photos until I have a good camera, my photos are bad because my camera is bad, my photos are not clear because my optics are crap, I need this, I need that... Do you recognize yourself? I do. We have all gone through this phase at some point, we all sin in the same way, and it is very difficult to break this vicious circle into which consumerism throws us., marketing, the "incredible improvements" from one model to another (in quotes, because if I'm honest, most of the improvements from one model to another, we fans don't even know how to spell them, let alone notice them. in the image quality of the photo, nor in the use, unless these are really remarkable...). If they put two images with enough magnification to hang them on the wall, one with 24 MP and the one next to it with half the MP, I assure you that it will be difficult for us to see the difference if we see it ?
FORGET THE TEAM AND FOCUS ON ENJOYING
Since when are the important things in life bought? Since when does talent depend on the material we have? I remember a French painter, Seraphine Louis, a very poor woman who was dedicated to cleaning houses but who was passionate about painting. The little she earned she invested in that, but since she couldn't afford to buy the paints she needed, she collected flowers, plants, wax, even blood to make her own paintings. I recommend that you take a look to see what can be achieved with passion, perseverance and a zero budget. She is wonderful.
And if painting is not your thing, what about the great photographers of the 19th century? If you held one of his cameras in your hand you would hardly know where to start. With three buttons counted, without a screen, without the possibility of repeating the image if it didn't turn out well... And even so, what images, right?
I hope you have found it useful and that it encourages you to fully immerse yourself in the photographic world no matter what material. Remember that the only thing you need for your trip is passion and the desire to learn , improve and enjoy. One last thing, if you liked it, share it on your favorite social network so that others can take advantage of it. Thank you very much and until next time ?
