February 1, 2009
My Four Most Indespensible Items
If you don’t have these four items, you’re at a definite disadvantage. I’m not into equipment, except where it helps me create a better image. For me the image is King, not the equipment.
But, there are four items that I find indispensable:
This loupe allows you to magnify and see your camera’s display in bright sunlight. Never come home again to find that the shot was not as sharp as you thought it was.
A tripod is of limited value if you move the camera when shooting. A shutter release, along with mirror lockup, is a must.
This is probably my most used accessory. A ND (Neutral Density) filter allows you to take long exposures during bright sunlight. This VARIABLE ND filter allows me to open the ND filter for composing and then close it for the shot. Opening or turning the filter one direction allows more light through and turning it the other direction makes it darker. Genius!
I’m old school, I primarily dodge and burn in Photoshop and that’s why Popular Photography called me “The Photoshop Heretic.”
These items have made a real difference in my work and I never go anywhere without them.
Cole
Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by these companies, nor do I receive any compensation for plugging them. I truly believe in these four items.
I also use the 4 items you mentioned a lot. Also, while a right-angle viewfinder attachment is useful for low-to-ground shots, I found such an attachment very useful when shooting in the slot canyons of Arizona. I was scrunched against a wall while shooting upwards and could barely get into position to see the viewfinder to frame the shot. A right-angle viewfinder helped the next time I went there. (Of course, having a DSLR with Liveview and a rotating LCD panel would have worked, too! 😉
I agree Dave, the right angle finder is sometimes a lifesaver. I used it a great deal on my Ceiling Lamp project too.