Professional Photogs? Help please!

[ahughesphotography]

Hi! I am fairly new to the photography world. I worked with my professional mother in law for quite awhile and FELL IN LOVE with photography. However, that was about a year and a half ago. I was hoping some pros out there (particularly canon users!) could help me out a bit? I want to know things like.... What kind of equipment list should I build up? Right now, I have a Canon 50D with the (horrible) kit lens- a tamron 28-80mm, and I just got a canon 50mm f1.8. I want a macro lens because I want to get into weddings and I know I need a macro lens to get shots such as the wedding rings, but I dont know which one. I dont want outrageously expensive because I simply can't afford it! I also am doing portraiture, so any lens suggestions on that would be welcomed, too. Also, I was hoping someone could help me brush up on my settings. I know the ISO, f-stop, and aperture, but which is which? I can adjust my settings to where I get the correct lighting, however I have totally forgotten which does which. Like, which setting will increase and decrease image noise? Things like that! Any advice on someone starting their own business is welcomed... Thanks in advance!

[tybo78]

Just start shooting weddings for money! You should be good. You can figure out what fstop, aperture and iso do right there on the job. he he he

[OsmosisStudios]

Dont buy anything: Learn.

[Murtasma]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Dont buy anything: Learn.

I like this advice, I always kind of cringe when people ask what lens they should buy. I think you will always get more for your money if you understand why things are they way they are in photography. It will really help you make the right decision for you.

Someone can tell you the perfect lens to get for your situation but if you don't understand the core principals of photography you won't be getting the most out of your tools and will really just be wasting your money and further frustrating yourself.

[Jim Poor]

Sounds like you need to get down to basics before trying to buy anything.

Since "aperture" and "f-stop" are the same thing you've got a lot to learn.

Any setting that changes exposure will have an effect on digital noise. In general the higher ISO the more noise you will get, but you will get more noise at ANY ISO if you under-expose and then try to lighten things up in post.

I'm not a Canon shooter, but I doubt they would include a Tamron lens in a kit. Anything is possible I suppose, but I doubt it.

Learn to use what you have and get the best out of it. Then, once you understand things a bit (a lot) better, look into upgrades and such.

[RexK_Cozumel]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Dont buy anything: Learn.

+2 I dont think having the "right" gear is going to be very helpful at this time. Really you need to learn the gear that you have and more about photography in general before you go spending all your money on the "right" gear.

[SusanH1970]

Agreed with all previous posters. Here is a good place to start to help you understand basic settings. Read, study, shoot, shoot some more, post images for critique (and don't take any negative critique personally - learn through your mistakes), read, study, and shoot some more. Welcome to DPS! You'll find this to be a very friendly, helpful place - and honest.

[LeeR]

Forgive my lack of tact, but you have no business shooting a wedding with the knowledge base you have now. Weddings and brides are absolutely unforgiving when it comes to photography and that is as it should be. You only have one chance to to get it right and there is no time to be trying to figure out the difference between and "f-stop and an aperture." I am not telling you not to shoot weddings; I am only telling you that before you do you should be proficient enough to be able to tell a bride that you KNOW you can capture all the images that make that day so special, and then back that up with a solid product. From what you have written, I'd say you've got several years of hard work ahead of you.