So where do i start?

[BEGM83]

Is there a thread someone can point me towards before i start asking stupid questions?

Ta!

[Jim Bryant]

Here ya go.......read to your hearts content. Then ask questions. No question is stupid, no matter how dumb it might seem to others. believe it or not we've all been there
Everything you ever wanted to know about photography! On DPS!

[BEGM83]

Cheers Jim! Much appreciated!

Ok so reading that thread i've got to the how to start up part and come accross the phrase;

"Buy the best equipment you can afford"

What exactly IS the essential equipment? What are the brands to look for (budget, average and premium)? Does the 'essential' equipment depend on what direction you take your photography?

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by BEGM83

Does the 'essential' equipment depend on what direction you take your photography?

I'd say it absolutely depends on what direction you take in photography. If you're only a portrait photographer, you're probably less likely to consider an ultra-wide or a macro essential to your photography (only less likely since there are people who make excellent use of these tools in other areas). I'm sure my essential equipment is different from other people's and the same goes for their essential equipment.

My personal belief is that there is no standard set of essential equipment aside from at least a camera body and at least one lens. After that it all depends on what you shoot, how you shoot, etc.

[Jim Bryant]

I don't know how to approach this as it boils down to mainly on your photographic knowledge, abilities to sell one self and eye. But if you go out and purchase an entry level kit, and shoot entry level style photographs, folks won't take you seriously. Then again, a pro consumer or pro camera won't help you take any better picture either if you don't know what you are doing. I've have seen folks on this forum grow from entry level to novice to really talented photogs with their entry level kits, so who's to say, what's good for you. All I know is that if you are planning on shooting a lot of sports, fast moving subjects and low light photography, those entry level kits and lenses won't work.

To add to what Jim has said; to me, it's a matter of what you want to do with your photography.

If your shooting 1,000mph falcons, then a slow focusing $100 lens probably isn't going to cut it.

If you are shooting landscapes and still life, a less complicated system might work just fine.

~Eric