What should my first investment be?

[StillFocus]

Hi, I'm an up-and-coming amateur hoping to turn professional from Georgia and I just stumbled across this awesome site today. My equipment so far is pretty entry-level: a Nikon D3000 with the 18-55 and the 55-200 kit lenses, UV filters, and a remote for time exposure shots (which I'm currently terrible at but find endlessly entertaining to do all the same).

My question is this: what should be my next purchase as far as a lens is concerned? Right now I'm trying to get into event and portrait photography, prom pictures, senior portraits, and the like (not weddings though, I've only been married 2 years, brides still scare me). I haven't had any formal training as I've always been a "learn by doing" kind of guy, but honestly there's way too much to choose from for me to be able to make an informed decision on my own. Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[agxo3]

Originally Posted by StillFocus

Hi, I'm an up-and-coming amateur hoping to turn professional from Georgia and I just stumbled across this awesome site today. My equipment so far is pretty entry-level: a Nikon D3000 with the 18-55 and the 55-200 kit lenses, UV filters, and a remote for time exposure shots (which I'm currently terrible at but find endlessly entertaining to do all the same).

My question is this: what should be my next purchase as far as a lens is concerned? Right now I'm trying to get into event and portrait photography, prom pictures, senior portraits, and the like (not weddings though, I've only been married 2 years, brides still scare me). I haven't had any formal training as I've always been a "learn by doing" kind of guy, but honestly there's way too much to choose from for me to be able to make an informed decision on my own. Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

You clearly don't know enough about photography to make this decision - otherwise you wouldn't be asking for help!

Before you spend money on equipment, it might be better to buy yourself some lessons in photography as a craft, and in photography as a business.

Just buying a bunch of expensive equipment won't make you a photographer - it will just drain your wallet and make your camera store that much richer.

As you will learn, while equipment IS important (you have to have what you need to make the kind of images you want), equipment does NOT make the photographer. One of the best photographers I know goes around shooting stunning images using an iPhone. And another I know has spent well over $20,000 on top-end gear, and is STILL one of the worst I've ever seen.

You don't buy the equipment then learn to be a photographer. You take what you have, learn photography and get good at it, THEN buy the equipment that will let you work the way you want and make the images you want. Otherwise, you're just an equipment junkie.

[OsmosisStudios]

Take your time. Slow down, take a breath, and learn your equipment and the underlying theory of photography first.

agxo3: I think your tone is unnecessary. Belittling others wont get you very far.

[PhotoPatzer]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Take your time. Slow down, take a breath, and learn your equipment and the underlying theory of photography first.

agxo3: I think your tone is unnecessary. Belittling others wont get you very far.

I'd have to agree with Os on this one... about the tone anyway

People come on here, myself included, and are very excited. Extremely pumped about their camera and gear, and they are looking for a little kind advice and constructive criticism.

StillFocus
as Os Said, slow down a bit, start taking a ton of pictures. Find out what REALLY interests you, you'd be surprised what does (or at least I am with myself).

In response to your question. A great lens that is cheap and is an excellent lens to grow with is what many call the nifty fifty. Its a relatively cheap lens (about $100) and you can get very creative with it. If you absolutely need to go out and get something (and sometimes I get that way too), its not a bad place to start.

just my 2 cents.

[tybo78]

I am a total amateur too. With everything being digital these days it really seems like you can just jump into making money real quick. If I've learned one thing from DPS, you can't.
I was so excited about photography (still am) when I first got a new DSLR that I actually bought a few books on starting a business. I was sooooo jumping the gun. Since then i have settled down and brought my head back from the clouds and started concentrating on the art and theory and my equipment and not the business. Because without the art, there is nothing else.
So take a deep breath and have fun.
Oh, and to answer your question: Yeah, a nifty fifty and a good tripod.
Cheers!

[StillFocus]

I'd be the first to admit that I don't know enough about the technical aspects of photography. It's only been a little over a year since I found my interest in it, and I know I have a long way to go. I also definitely don't want to spend money just for the sake of spending money.

So yeah, maybe a class wouldn't do me any harm. Thanks for the tips.

[Jim Poor]

Having not seen any of your work, I don't know where you are in terms of skills, but:

50mm lens would be good.

Some lighitng would be a good choice. If you are on a budget, start cheap with some shop lights and CFL bulbs while you learn what is what with them. Then move up to some Speed lights and / or strobes. If money allows start with the speedlights.

Photography classes can be a huge waste of money, so choose carefully.

[Jim Bryant]

Better, sharper, and fast lenses than What comes with the kit.

[dakwegmo]

My approach to buying new gear is to only purchase new stuff when it either replaces something that has worn out, or fills a specific need that cannot be met with the gear I have. Use what you already have an find out what it can and can't do well. When you get to a point that you can identify things that you'd like to do but can't with your current setup, then it's probably time to invest in a new piece of equipment. A lot of times you can overcome some shortcomings of your gear with better technique, and it's a good idea to exhaust all avenues of the craft before looking to upgrade your tools. It'll make you a better photographer, and allow you to really get the most out of the new equipment when you do finally decide to add more to your kit.

One note about Nikon's nifty-fifty. It is a great lens, but it won't autofoucs on your D3000.

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by StillFocus

Hi, I'm an up-and-coming amateur hoping to turn professional from Georgia and I just stumbled across this awesome site today.

My question is this: what should be my next purchase?

Some business classes. A lawyer and a tax professional. Business forms.