What should be there in an ideal photographer’s kit?

Anyone who is into photography must have a photography kit that consists of all important equipments required for clicking the ideal shots. Professional photographers have a good understanding of what they would need for their assignments but amateurs, especially the ones who don’t have a mentor in this industry, will find it difficult to choose the right equipments for their kit. I keep receiving many queries from budding photographers about the equipments that they must buy or can avoid. To guide them and all other upcoming shutterbugs, here is a list of all those equipments that I feel you must have all the time; whether they are in their studio or at an on-location shoot. The list is very generic and will vary as per your assignment.

Chroma key backdrop and background stand

For portrait photography, product photography, wedding photography etc. your complete photo studio kit must have a backdrop against which you will feature your subject. Since you are new to this profession and do not have much to spend, buy reversible muslin blue and green Chroma key backdrop. The canvas ones would be expensive and moreover, you cannot carry them for on-location shoots. The Chroma key backdrops are multi-purpose and can also be used for green screen photography, if you try to get into it at a later stage. A backdrop stand is indispensable for holding the backdrop.

Tripod

You may not find it worth buying but like any other seasoned photographer; I would also recommend you to buy a tripod. Even professional photographers use them to give stability to their camera, thereby getting rid of camera shakes. A slight shaking of your hand can cause blurriness and destroy all your efforts. Your equipments are new to you and you are new to this profession. Investing in a tripod will be a wise decision for you.

Continuous lighting equipments

Don’t buy a flash unit or other related accessories; they are meant for experts who know how to position and use them. Using them is not as simple as it sounds. Until you get familiar with the lighting techniques, you should rely on continuous lighting equipments such as fluorescent bulbs, light stands, etc.

Lighting accessories

Photography is all about playing with light and to do this, you would need the diffusers and reflectors in your photography kit. Reflectors will help you to fill in the shadows by bouncing the existing light, whereas the diffusers will soften the harsh light coming out of the light source. This will give a natural look to your subject.

A notebook

Confused? Since you are new to this industry, you will be learning a new thing every time you pick-up your camera. Note down all these things for future reference. Keep the notebook handy whenever you are with your camera.

There can never be a complete photo studio kit because there are endless equipments and each of them is important for a particular situation. The above mentioned equipments are just some of the many options. Please feel free to share your list.