Suggested Gear
Gear up for success in natural light portraiture.
This photography class takes a close look at the equipment used throughout this Natural Light Photography course.
It shows exactly what gear Karl uses, what is unnecessary and what pieces of kit make up the absolute essentials. In addition to this, Karl also offers alternative pieces of equipment that you could use if you have an assistant with you.
This course uses minimal equipment, proving what you can achieve when you have the knowledge and understanding of light, realise the importance of a good background and creative composition and, importantly, understand how to bring all these elements together.
If you’re starting out in photography, or want to get the best from your budget, this course provides some useful information on where you could start when it comes to growing your collection of equipment.
In this class:
- Portrait photography tips
- Useful equipment for portrait photography
- Accessories for outdoor portraiture
- The best equipment for new photographers
- Photographic accessories for a tight budget
- The best lenses for portrait photography
- How to reflect light for portrait photography
- How to diffuse light for portrait photography
Questions? Please post them in the comments section below.
Comments
Hi Karl,
Loving the course!
To get started in all areas of photography would you recommend investing money in a 70-200mm and a wide angle as the first two lenses?
Hi Daniel, thank you. It would largely depend on which type of photography you think you’re going to be doing the most of, for example, Portrait, Product, Landscape etc etc. Each of these sections on our site we usually have some advice on the lenses but if you let me know I can tell you what I would use.
Hello Karl
Do you ever use the 1.4 converter on your other lens? Like on the 50mm or not recommended?
Hi Chaz, no not really, they are designed to work best with the longer focal lengths.
Hi Karl!
Thank you for the video!
As someone who always works solo, I was wondering if you could explain a little about using the flexible arm and clamp on the light stand to hold the reflector? I can’t quite picture it 🙂
Thank you again!
Susan
Hi Susan, if you head to this section: https://visualeducation.com/section/lighting-theory-and-equipment/ and then you will see three videos, ‘Reflectors and Flags’, ‘Lighting Stands and Supports’ and then ‘Grips and Clamps’ what you are looking for should be covered in there but of course if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask. All the best Karl.
what size of Calfornia Sun-Bouncer Pro Silver/Gold do you use
HArm
Hi Harm, I’m not exactly sure but when it is on the ground vertical I’d say it is about 6ft tall.
Hi Karl , is using flash outdoor will drop the choice of reflector?
Hi Anwar, you won’t need a reflector if you are using flash but then sometimes it’s good to even bounce your flash into the white side of a reflector or use flash from one side and flash from the other. You’ll see these techniques in modules here around the website.
Great video as usual! I really laughed hard at the start of the video since it seemed as if the assistant was part of the gear! ? Haha
As I understand so far… the most useful focal length has been between the 70 and 135 mm which is the most flattering. Since I’m using a crop sensor body camera with a crop factor of 1.5, should I try to get a lens that is in between 45 and 90 to have the same effect?
Keeping in mind that I should try to get a lens with an f stop in between 2.8 and 1.2 if possible. Will the bokeh be comparable with the 2 lenses on the different bodies? Full frame with 70 to 135 vs crop body with the 45 to 90?
Hi Jacques, as you are using a crop sensor then 85mm would be the better end of the focal length for you. A 1.4 o4 1.8 should suffice.