My camera, studio, processing setup - FYI

[Outlaw]

A friend asked me today what kinds of equipment I use in running my photo business, so I replied with a fairly exhaustive list, and thought I might share it here for some of those who ask about what other people use for this or the other.

In no way bragging about my collection; I am very blessed to do enough business to afford these tools, and doubly so to have a wife that loves me, despite myself.

If anyone has any questions about my gear, or has suggestions for improvements or replacements, please feel free to share.

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Camera: Canon 20D body with battery grip, 580EX main flash, 420EX off-camera flash, Canon off-camera flash cord, 18-55 kit lens, 50/1.8, 100/2.8, Sigma 70-200/2.8, camera bag, 4x batteries, 2x chargers, 2x 2GB CF cards, Sandisk USB 2.0 CF card reader.

Studio: 4x AlienBee B800 strobes, 2x 13' heavy duty stands, 10' stand, background stand, 4x honeycomb grids, 6x gels, boom arm, 3x umbrellas, 5' softbox, 5-in-1 42" reflector, 4-light wired remote control, wireless transmitter/receiver.

Processing: HP Pavilion A6040N, Intel Core2 Duo CPU @ 1.86GHZ, 2GB ram, 4MB level-2 cache, 320GB HD + 500GB Western Digital External HD, 16x DVD/CD SuperDrive, ViewSonic 19" 2ms LCD monitor, ColorVision Spyder2 Express for monitor calibration, PCI-e eVGA e-GeForce 8800 GTS overclocked video card with 640MB DDR3 ram and DX10/SLI ready, Logitech G7 wireless mouse, Klipsch 2.1 THX speaker system. For at-home work, HP 12.1" laptop with about the same stats as the desktop, sans video card.

Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2 for photo processing, NoiseNinja for noise removal, EyeCandy for graphics plug-ins, Microsoft Office 2k3 for correspondence/e-mail/invoices/paperwork, Araneae 5.x for basic word processing and all web design coding, iTunes for ambient music and sanity, Firefox for browsing, FileZilla for FTP, Roxio for burning, QuickBooks SimpleStart edition for tracking money. Laptop is outfitted with all-Open Source software outside of Vista itself.

Delivery: Miller's Imaging online for prints, Memorex CDs and DVDs for digital, moving up to LightScribe now that I have a DVD burner capable, clear thin-jewel cases. GoDaddy for domain registration and HostGator for hosting.

Wants: In-house Epson photo printer capable of at least 11x14 prints, back-up camera body, assistant to take care of all the BS that keeps me from taking photos. ;)

[Jim Victory]

Originally Posted by Outlaw

In no way bragging about my collection---

Your right! Nice beginner setup.

[Outlaw]

Hehe, thanks Jim. Any suggestions on what I should look for to take my setup to the next level? If I'm charging professional prices, I owe my customers the quality provided by professional equipment.

Thanks for any help!

[Pascal]

As the earlier post suggest, it looks like a beginner setup. However, I don't believe you need the latest and greatest gear to earn a living as a photographer.

It's just my opinion and take it as such. It's nice to have the best camera bodies, lenses, studio gear, and computer equipment to say you have it. However, what matters is if your customers are happy with what you provide them which depends on how you shoot and what you shoot.

Recently I was at Arlington camera and saw a photographer with a 1Ds Mk II body and a Canon 24-105L lens on it and I was simply amazed at how little this person knew about operation of the camera or what the lens was capable of. It was almost like watching a monkey with a handgun. The images were pathetic as far as certain qualities the better publishing houses or clients would look for. However, for the small town the photoghrapher worked in, it was enough to impress clients. Usually, this is what matters.

As you progress as a photographer, you may find the need to upgrade your gear to suit your needs. So no need to rush out and get the best gear until you realize you actually need it.


Most clients wouldn't care if you shot the images with a 20D/30D/5D/1D/1Ds or a kit lens or any of the low end gear............ as long as it meets their requirements.

[Outlaw]

Thank you, Ty! I suppose I'm more asking about equipment to round out my options/ease of use with this setup, unless of course something I already have is truly limiting. I know a light meter is in store, and at least a minor upgrade of the kit lens would yield much better wide-angle shots. Just curious if there was anything else that needed attention.

Thank you again!

[Clayton Wallace]

I suppose I'm more asking about equipment to round out my options/ease of use with this setup, unless of course something I already have is truly limiting.

You would be the real judge here, not any of us. Your limitations are based on your goals.

I would think more in terms of solving problems, not in needing equipment. Where are your current limitations? What is keeping you from being more productive or profitable or enjoyable?

I'm going through a period of self-examination right now, charting out and probing my areas of strength/weakness etc, including creating a (large) chart of my complete workflow, communications with clients, etc. Basically I'm trying to create a sort of manual for how my business works...including inventory, budgeting, taxes, and of course shooting (must not forget that...still do some of that).

I try to buy a piece of equipment or software to enhance what I'm doing and to take me to where my vision is leading (a whole different thread). I don't think there is 'beginner' setup and 'pro' setup as clearly as there used to be. As it was mentioned above, there are many markets and clients and styles, and each will need different equipment, techniques, and pricing.

Having said all that I think a backup body is your area of greatest need/weakness right now, even if you picked up a spare 10D or 20D. You can only run that risk for so long...

[Daniel W.]

I didnt see a tripod. I'm not sure if the style you shoot is specific to a tripod, but as always - a good tool to have.

I like Bogen 3046 legs on a dolly, easy to move around and feels solid to me. Head of your choice, 3 way or ball.

[Outlaw]

Clayton, thank you, definitely the kind if thinking I am trying to work myself into. "When are you going to learn?" as they say at Strobist. Self-evaluation and taking stock is always a great process of and for revelation. I've found that reading books and taking notes helps me constantly learn and evolve my art and business processes.

Daniel, I do have a tripod, but it's just one of those $100 all-in-one jobs. Is a tripod particularly necessarily in a studio environment when I'm shooting wireless?

Thanks again all for the good words; definitely enjoying the studio so far. Here's one of the images from my first shoot with all the equipment together:

[Clayton Wallace]

Very nice shot John.

As to the tripod thing...my tripod use has waxed and waned considerably over the years. It really, really depends on your subjects and style, (of course light and SS), lens quality (and those sweet, sweet IS lenses), and the size of the enlargement. For your average studio shot at 200ish for an 8x10 or 11x14 max enlargement, I find a tripod most useful for a place to set my camera. If I suspect a crop is coming or when I'm dragging the shutter getting artsy or...I use a tripod.

Never forget the sometimes subtle but always present effect the tripod itself has on your client interactions (and therefore final shots). Sometimes it is a show of professionalism (most amateurs just don't/won't use them at all), sometimes it can be intimidating (especially for a child). We work in and around our gear so much that having bright lights popping, huge stands and glowing umbrells, and tall three-legged stands all starts to look pretty normal.

This is getting a little off-topic now, but has anyone really thought about the increasing demand for outdoor/location portraits? I can't help but think that one factor might be that clients (or their parents, or their parents) had a bad experience in a studio of some sort (JC Penny to "pro") and didn't get very good photos as the were't comfortable (due to it being so foreign, or lack of time or technique or whatever). Now an increasing number of people want photos where they are most comfortable (their homes, a favorite park, etc...). We tend to use less equipment on location than in a full studio setting, and this makes me wonder if some part of this outdoor/location demand isn't actually driven by a sub-conscous desire to just be around less foreign equipment. Maybe in this case the cart is in some part driving the horse? (caveat...I have some bias as I don't have a studio and exploit the demand mentioned above. But I've paid close attention to the not-always subtle differences in client behavior in studio settings, parks, homes, and with varying levels of lighting and background equipment)

This is just a thought and has exceptions of course (some people just like having their photos taken, know already they will look good, etc)..

[Outlaw]

Thank you again for your great response, Clayton.

You make a great point about using the tripod as much, if not more so, for impression than for technical purposes. I had not thought of that. The majority of my studio work is with younger clients, so the ability to move around, work angles and get a flow of energy going back and forth is important to me. I like the dynamicism of it.

As for the location vs. studio thought, I do both regularly. Some clients prefer one over the other, some like a mix of both. I've always presented their options in the form of how the final results will look; I haven't really seen anyone show discomfort in the studio, but perhaps I've just dealt with laid back clients. I have no done many older-generation portraiture, those who may as you said have had a poor experience in the past.

I think the point you make is fair, but as with many angles, depends entirely upon the client. The more diverse our offerings, the wider net we can cast.

[Daniel W.]

It's a safe place for the camera (provided the right setup, based on your lenses and body) and much better than leaving it on a table or worse, the floor. It's also good for doing test shots, where you have the camera on the pod and trigger it via remote, so you can move around as needed to adjust your lights.

If you dont ever see yourself traveling out of the studio with a pod, then go with some Heavy legs and a nice head.

Bogen 3046/3246 legs

If traveling, Gitzo (not sure of model)

Manfrotto 322/RC2 head, if you want a ball head
808RC4 if you want a pan/tilt-H/V head.

3067 Dolly, a convenience I like. I was able to pick one up cheaply, but if I had to buy one new, I wouldn't have.