For Photographers

Over the years I've tried just about every trendy lens, flash bauble, and camera whatsit around. When you take all the peripheral stuff away, these are the things I can't live without!

Advice I wish someone would have shared with me ten years ago when I was just starting in photography school:

1. Buy the best glass, on credit or not. Start with prime lenses (i.e. not zooms) and expand from there once you have your wide, mid, and long lenses. Replacing mediocre glass (i.e. variable aperture lenses) later when you have the cash is a waste of your money today.

2. If youre shooting in Seattle (where it's dark at 4pm 1/3 of the year!) or during receptions at night/indoors, buy some really powerful battery packs. Remember that good glass from #1? Those low apertures will allow you a stop or two more to squeeze that available light out of any situation!

3. Don't fall into the trap of using certain apertures, lenses, obvious light sources, or pre-bought actions as a crutch. Challenge yourself and make it work (to quote Tim Gunn)!

SHOOTING
Quick wit and endless charm.
Bottomless patience and an open mind.
Nikon professional cameras: D3, D200, F100
Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8
Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8
Nikkor 50mm 1.4
Nikkor 105mm macro
Lensbaby (some awesome imperfect retro version)
Holga
Hassleblad 501cm & 50mm 2.8
Nikon Professional Speedlights
Quantum Turbo 2x2 power packs
Lowell Video Light
A whole lotta other stuff I won't bore you with


PROCESSING
Mac Pro Dual Quad Core
iMac
MacBook Pro
Wacom Intuos Tablet
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Creative Suite
Lots of custom presets & actions, plus a few commercial ones