What should my next purchase be? Newbie needs some wisdom please!

allinschenk

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I could really use some recommendations/guidance in regards to gear. I've listed what I own and the type of shooting that I like to do. I was looking at softboxes, onmi-bounces, reflectors, and now I'm just confused and indecisive about what I need. Can you offer a newbie some wisdom??

Here's what I have...

Canon 60D
Canon 18-135mm/f3.5-5.6
Canon 50mm/f1.8
Canon Speedlite 430EX II

Here's what I look to shoot...
baby/toddlers outdoors and indoors
newboorn portraits
senior pictures
possibly weddings down the road

What should my next purchases be and why?....

 
A reflector is a must. Outside of my camera and lens, it's probably the next most used piece of equipment because it's quick and easy and enhances the available light sources.

I spend the biggest part of my budget on lenses. Next to that it's anything that improves my lighting kit. And since I've been doing more portraits lately, I bought a collapsible backdrop for portability. The white side can also be used as a reflector.

And finally, this year I'm making room in my budget for props and costumes (medical stuff for "doctor" shoots, hard hat, nerd glasses, wigs, military clothing, etc...).
 
Pick up a light stand or two, extra flashes, shoot thru umbrellas with removable black covers and holders and some radio triggers so you can get the flash off the camera. There's a pretty basic lighting kit right there. There are inexpensive versions of all of the above that you can practice with including the radio triggers. I actually use the Phottix Strato, which has been totally reliable and has pass through ttl metering. Others on here have used the Cactus triggers. I also use a pair of Manfrotto 1051 stands because they stack and are fairly light weight. You can get a lot cheaper, though.
 
I know it can be overwhelming at first. There are so many accessories in our business! I suggest first trying some light modifiers for your flash to start out with.

I like this set for beginners:
LumiQuest ProMax 80-20 System - Six Piece Flash Light LQ-105 B&H

It gives you a lot to experiment with.

Then I would invest in a studio lighting kit. I prefer Photogenic brand. I have used other brands but didn't like them as much as the photogenic lights.

Here is a good starter set:

Photogenic AKC800K Master Studio Three Monolight Kit 907345 B&H

For infants and seniors you would be fine. I would get a black and a white muslin and background stand as well.

For weddings you will need at least 2 camera bodies in case one stops working. A tripod, a 200mm or 300mm lens for the ceremony, wide angle lens for the dressing room and tight spaces. Plenty of memory cards and batteries for the cameras and the flash. Bring a laptop and an assistant to download cards for back up.

Weddings can be stressfull and tricky. The best way to go about it is ask a seasoned professional if you can tag a long as an assistant. Some will say "Sure" others will say sure but want payment for their knowledge. A fellow PPA member around here will let you tag along and carry equipment, see how he photographs a wedding, explains things to you but, he charges you $500.

Good luck to you!
 
I've ended up doing a lot of my shooting at other people's homes. Which adds the need for portability...would these recommendations still work well knowing that?
 
My stands, umbrellas and accessories all fit in one slim bag that I keep on the floor of the back seat at all times. And my camera gear is in another bag or a pack. I shoot everything on the go with off camera flash so everything has to setup and take down quickly.

You should check out the books by Joe Mcnally. He's a photographer that only uses off camera flashes.
 
Well since you stated you are a newbie looking for wisdom I am going to offer a different point of view. Don't buy anything yet. Learn to operate your gear to it's fullest and get the most out of it. Operating your camera and flash units should become second nature to you. Not just the basic stuff, like modes, ISO, shutter speed etc, but what all the custom functions are, how they work, what they are good for and how to set them. By doing this you learn the strengths and weaknesses of the system you now have. You can shoot to the strengths and purchase to the weaknesses.

Learn photography, again not just putting the camera in Program or Auto mode and firing away. Get a good understanding of light. Get a good working understanding of the exposure triangle, shutter speed, ISO and aperture. Get a good understanding of composition, not just the rules of thirds etc, but the details for the things you want to shoot. Things like masculine and feminine posing, head tilt, hand placement etc. Study photographers that produce images of the types you have listed and learn the nuances of their shots. What makes them attractive to you.

Once you begin to put those things together you will know what you need in the way of gear. You will know your weaknesses and strengths as well as those of your gear. You will then be able to know what gear you need and if you need guidance then you will be asking specifics on the quality of certain makes of gear. Then too you will be prepared to shoot the types of subjects listed with confidence and be able to achieve the results you want. Good luck.
 

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