STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Success stories from The Editing Bootcamp graduates
I'm a natural light photographer specializing in child photography. I thank Hashem every day for giving me sunlight, chocolate, and the best job of all: storytelling.
ACRYLIC PRINTS
ACRYLIC PRINTS
recommended gear
Any camera with a manual function where you can set the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO is suitable for Photography Camp 2020's Beyond the Basics Program.
However, since the course is on a professional level, you'll gain the most out of it if you have a DSLR camera. I highly recommend that you get a camera where you can change the lens out, as opposed to one that has a set lens.
If you have a camera already, great! Use it!
If you don't, I've compiled a list of suitable cameras for your convenience.
Please note: this is not an exhaustive or exclusive list, but just a couple of cameras that are a good value for the money and that I feel would be a great asset to any budding photographer. Also note that you may choose a camera from any company, however, being that I shoot with Canon, that's what I'm most familiar with and most comfortable recommending to others.
Remember, even with the best camera: It's not always about the gear, but about how you use it. When you understand the fundamentals of art and photography, you'll be able to create masterpieces with any camera.
Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission for products your purchase by clicking on these links. It doesn't cost you more, but it may help offset the time and expenses it takes to keep this page alive and updated, so thank you for that :)
I've included 3 types of cameras and lenses in this list:
#1 - Mirrorless Cameras - everybody's new favorite.
Mirrorless cameras have incredible focus tracking and so make getting very sharp images super easy.
I'm including the robust version I currently am using (Canon R5) and the smaller, lighter, cheaper version (Canon RP) that's great value for the price (This is the option I would recommend as first choice if you're starting out). You can pair these with the mirrorless lenses, but being that they're very pricey, I would recommend getting regular ef mount lenses with an ef-rf adapter. (Being that I already had a full range of top-of-the-line ef-mount lenses, that's what I use and it works perfectly for me)
#2 - Full-frame cameras with incredible lenses.
(Canon 5D Mark IV or 6D with Sigma Art lenses) - If you know you'll be doing this for business, will print large-format images, and are ready to invest right away, those are for you.
#3 - The cheapest options that will give you good enough results.
(Canon Rebel with 50mm 1.8 lens or 85mm 1.8 lens)
They're great if you're starting on a budget, and good enough to take some paying clients using them, so you can upgrade later on once you know you'll be doing this as a business.
#1: Mirrorless Cameras:
Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Camera
From B&H
$999.00
Please visit the link above for full specs and details of this camera.
This camera is a professional quality camera with a full-frame sensor. It's a newer, lighter, cheaper version of the Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera. The main difference between this and the R are the megapixels (26 vs. 31) and the size and quality of the LCD touchscreen display. Being that this one is almost $800 less, I would say this has huge value. I would recommend this camera as your first choice.
With the cropped-sensor 'beginner' cameras like the Canon Rebels now $750 - $850 (as opposed to $300 - $450 they were going for 2 years ago), I believe starting out with the RP is a better decision and will last you longer in your professional photography career. Pair with the Canon EF - EOS R lens adapter and any of the lenses listed below (If you're starting with only one, I would recommend the 85mm).
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera
From B&H
$3899.00
Please visit the link above for full specs and details of this camera.
This camera is a top-tier professional quality camera with a full-frame sensor and the one I currently use. It's the more robust version of the Canon EOS RP Mirrorless Camera. The main difference between this and the RP are the megapixels (45 vs. 26) and the size and quality of the LCD touchscreen display.
If you know for sure you'll want to do professional photography as a career choice, and you'll be printing very large pieces of wall art (like 40x60) then this is a great choice.
Pair with the Canon EF - EOS R lens adapter and any of the lenses listed below (If you're starting with only one, I would recommend the 85mm).
From B&H
$99.00
Please visit the link above for full specs and details of this camera.
This adaptor lets you mount any EF lens to your mirrorless camera, so you're not limited to the mirrorless lenses.
Full-Frame Cameras:
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera (Body Only)
From B&H
$2,699.00
Please visit the link above for full specs and details of this camera.
This camera is a professional quality camera with a full frame sensor. My first main camera is an earlier version of this. Many professional photographers use the 5D cameras, and they're superb, especially the Mark IV. It has incredible ISO sensitivity, amazing focus and quality, and gorgeous color. This is a robust camera with many high-end features that's made it a favorite among photographers for a reason.
Pair with any of the lenses below (If you're starting with only one, I would recommend the 85mm)
Canon EOS 6D Mark II DSLR Camera (Body Only)
From B&H
$1,399.00
Please visit the link above for full specs and details of this camera.
This camera is a professional quality camera with a full frame sensor. My previous main camera (which I now use as backup) is an earlier version of this.
It's a smaller, lighter, cheaper version of the Canon EOS 5D listed above.
This camera is also a bit smaller and more lightweight than the 5D's, which makes it easier to hold and handle.
Pair with any of the lenses below (If you're starting with only one, I would recommend the 85mm)
My Favorite High-Quality Lenses
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
From B&H
$849.00
Please visit the link above for full specs and details of this lens.
This is one of my favorite lenses. 35m lense is a wide angle lens, so each picture you take sees a bit more than your naked eye would see from the same distance. At f1.4, this is considered a fast lens, which means you can blur out the backgrounds beautifully.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
From B&H
On special now for $949.00
Please visit the link above for full specs and details of this lens.
50mm lens is a standard lens, and sees more or less as much as your naked eye would see from any given distance. If you're planning to get only one lens to start with, go for this one - you can get full length portraits, landscapes, and close-ups if you move in. At f1.4, this is considered a fast lens, which means it can let in a lot of light, and you can blur out the backgrounds beautifully. There's also a similar lens by Canon (50mm 1.8, see above), but this one is a more expensive lens and is made better, so you'll get sharper images, better color, and less problems with chromatic aberration.
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
From B&H
$1099.00
Please visit the link above for full specs and details of this lens.
My other favorite lens! (I own the Sigma Art 35mm and the Sigma Art 85mm). 85m lens is a portrait lens. Looking through this lens, you see everything closer than your naked eye would see from the same distance. At f1.4, this is considered a fast lens. Also note, that the longer your lens is, the more it can blur the backgrounds, so you'll get awesome, gorgeous creamy smoothness with this lens. If you're planning on shooting mostly portraits, you might want to consider this as your first lens even if you're only starting with one. You can still take full length portraits with this lens, you'd just have to be standing further back.