The alternate title to this post could, of course, be "Pimp My Camera." {wink} Anyone else remember seeing commercials for that Pimp My Ride show on MTV back in the day? They'd take someone's trashy car and turn it into a "luxury" vehicle with a fridge, stereo system, king size bed, hot tub, etc. I don't have a hot tub in my camera bag, but I do have some cool stuff:
Truthful statement #1: I don't carry all of this stuff with me all of the time. I keep my old Sony and my iPhone in my purse for those "oooo I gotta snap a pic of that" moments. But if we're heading somewhere that I know I'll want some nicer pictures, I try to take my Nikon.
Truthful statement #2: I am scared of or don't know how to use a few of these items. But one of my 2012 personal goals is to read my Nikon D3000 for Dummies book and learn about the settings on my camera so that I can use my equipment! My Nikon isn't top of the line. It's what we could afford...we're not into the whole "let's throw it on the credit card just because we can" idea.
So here are a few fun accessory ideas that are great to get started with:
2. Light Scoop. These babies are super cool. They bounce your flash off the ceiling to create softer, more flattering pictures. T gave me these for my birthday (last year) and I still haven't quite figured them out because they require that the user be able to adjust some of those dials and numbers on their camera. The combination of letters and numbers on my camera screen reminds me of algebra, which I barely scraped by in. I've seen lots of reviews/Giveaways for Light Scoop online, but Veronica wrote the first "non-sponsored" review I've seen! These are great for Home/DIY/Craft bloggers...no more crying when the natural light isn't perfect for your photo shoot.
3. UV Filter. Clean your lens and snap that baby on top to protect it!
5. Lens cleaner wipes and/or microfiber cloth. The lens cleaner came in a little packet, and I use the microfiber to clean off the camera's screen.
6. Extra battery
7. Battery Charger
8. Remote Control- No more hitting the camera timer and rushing to get in the shot before the shutter flashes. I can hold the remote in the palm of my hand and snap away as I please.
Other stuff?
Pretty Camera Strap- I kept the Nikon strap that my camera came with because T is not a particular fan of my girlie August Blossoms strap that I won last summer.
Camera Bag- As for my camera bag, I usually keep my Nikon in the blue and black utilitarian bag you saw earlier. It's small, fits a few extras, and is good for those times that we'll be in a busy place or somewhere I need something "tough" to protect my camera. When I'm headed somewhere a bit fancier, I use my Jo Totes bag. I bought it last summer...pleased with the design, but it's not as sturdy or spacious as I had hoped.
Tripod- If you shoot in auto, a tripod is a good thing to have to stabilize your camera. Also nice for those group shots! Our tripod is actually a cheap freebie that we got with our video camera a few years back. It does the trick.
Lens Cleaner- I got this guy in my Christmas stocking. Fits perfectly in my camera bag and makes cleaning my lens a breeze!
I feel like I should end this post with a note that I am not, nor do I consider myself to be any kind of photographer. I haven't taken any classes, and my knowledge of photography lingo is very very limited. But I've loved taking pictures since my first elementary school camera. I think the photos on my blog have improved some since I upgraded from my Sony point and shoot to my Nikon DSLR last January. I don't shoot in manual often, and I have a lot to learn, but it sure is fun learning.
Do you have a favorite camera accessory or something on your wishlist?
I have a Nikon D3100 and love it! I took a mom's photography class last year to learn how to shoot in manual, and it was the best thing I did! I got a "Nifty Fifty" lens and Jo's Totes bag for Christmas. The lens is awesome for getting close ups with blurry backgrounds! My Jo has tons of room! It holds my camera plus 3 lenses with more room for an iPad and personal stuff. It's yellow and so cheerful. Thanks for the tips. I need to go get some camera accessories!
ReplyDeleteOh! I just ordered a light scoop with some leftover b-day money. I can't wait to try it out, hopefully it'll help w/ some of my shop photos. Do you find that you use your extra zoom lens often? I haven't gotten one yet but think I may need to.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to get a new camera soon. I have a D40 and I want something a little better quality...even though I LOVE my camera! I will have to add remote to my list of things to buy soon too! I do the click and run quite often for group shots:) I think I need to invest in a new bag when I get a new camera too. My stuff doesn't fit in my little black bag very good anymore.
ReplyDeleteI have a D5000 and still learning all the ropes with a 50mm f/1.8. However, I failed to do my research before I bought the lens so I have the one that doesn't focus on my camera :( I have been doing straight manual so it's been super overwhelming to learn, but I'm doing it so I guess that is all that matters ;) I'm taking a photography class this weekend that I bought on Living Social...I'm sure it's nothing I haven't seen before in the blog world, but we will see ;0) I hope to get a Jo Bag or a Kettie Handbag, but that's WAY in the future. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteI've got to start working on reading my Dummies book too so I can get comfortable with all those buttons. I'm with you...those lettes and numbers make me think of school (and make my head hurt). But I really want to improve my picture-taking abilities this year. Thanks for sharing some of these neat accessories. I'm never sure what I might need when I look at stuff in the store so it was great to see what you have.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Fun to see what's in your bag and you gave me some ideas! Would love the lightscoop since I currently do this with a 3x5 card! :) I also would love the remote!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a fabulous jototes bag like yours but I have found that I don't like having to carry around the BIG bag that I did get. I would like some sort of camera sleeve to protect it in my purse when I know I'm not going to need extra lenses or other stuff.
I love this post, Amanda! I know absolutely NOTHING about photography, but we do have a pretty nice camera--a Nikon I got Jack for Christmas a few years ago. I need to learn a little more about how to use it. There are a number of things I'd like to be able to photograph for my blog but I have no idea how to do it. My problem is not knowing where to find time to read a book or take a class--I have a stack of books that I need to read, and it's already waist-high! So I like posts like this one. :)
ReplyDeleteI got my Canon last year for Christmas and still use it in the Auto mode!! Need to take a class soon:) And also need a pretty camera strap too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to my Lightscoop review. I use them all the time, especially for taking pics of my products for the Etsy shop.
Those light scoops remind me of western stirrups. You have some very cool accessories!
ReplyDeleteI am planning to link up for the first time w/ you on your Friday link up :-)
Thanks for sharing! I've just gotten a new SLR so it's nice to see what accessories you enjoy using! xo K
ReplyDeleteAmanda! We have almost the EXACT same everything! I have that VERY camera bag {only mine is in turquoise} AND a Nikon AND a girlie camera strap {it's got a zipper so I can zip off for hubby to use}. My hubby bought me a new Tamron lens for Christmas which actually takes the place of TWO lenses cause it goes really close and really far :) We could be camera twins! Love your post!
ReplyDeleteBecky B.
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You have all sorts of goodies inside of your bag. I just got a light scoop this weekend and am amazed at the difference in my indoor pictures. It's great for me because I usually don't have the luxury of taking pictures when the light is perfect. It's now or never most of the time! I ordered it after reading two unsponsored posts from Bonnie singing its praises.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest opinion on the camera bag. I have a backpack style bag that I detest and need something better but I'm going to wait until I find just the right thing.
An extra battery would be a very handy thing to have. My Canon stays charged for a really long time but it would stink for the batter to go out when I might really want to use my camera.
I remember when you won your camera strap. It sure is cute!
I don't even really know how to use my upper end cheap camera! Yours is really nice.
ReplyDeleteSomeday I might have time to learn how to take good pictures!
LOVE the girlie camera strap!
Love this post! I keep hearing such great things about the Lightscoop. And I just got a remote for Christmas -- such a nifty little thing and way easier to use than I feared.
ReplyDeleteI'm considering getting a Kelly Moore camera bag later this spring. They're pricey, but people rave about them. Right now I usually just end up throwing the camera in my purse, even though I know that's camera-abuse.
Thanks for letting me peek inside your camera bag. I really need to get a light scoop and a tripod. And finish my our DSLR for Dummies book. Babysteps, babysteps :).
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this post. Thanks for sharing. I got the Canon Rebel for Christmas and I haven't had a chance to do a lot with it either. I need to read my book to find out all it can do. I did get one of those remotes.
ReplyDeleteDH got me a back pack off Amazon when he got my camera and I love it. He also got me a camera bag, but I can see me using the backpack camera bag more. I don't know if you've seen them, but I dont' think it was very expensive.
One of my resolutions is to learn more about my camera too!
Great post, Amanda. I love my Light Scoop, too, although I'm sure I could be using it better than I am. But it does lighten my photos up considerably. I also got the 50mm lens for my birthday (last April). I have a really hard time focusing it so I rarely use it. Mostly end up using my kit lens.
ReplyDeleteOh, and also, I need to get a remote. There are so many times I know I could use it.
ReplyDeleteIt is really a great thing that you are having so many things in your camera bag. Last week I also purchased a camera for myself and I also got the same equipments for my camera.
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