My Photography Equipment

Can I just say, I love you all, our readers :) Why? Well, you remind me of me! I am constantly wondering what equipment other photographers and videographers are using, what their secrets are, etc. and you all are the same way! Several of you have asked over and over what I use to take & edit the photos you see here on the blog, so I am here to reveal my secrets! Shall we begin?



#1 // I own a Canon EOS Rebel T3 with a 18-55mm kit lens. I adore this camera, and believe it is just about the most inexpensive, practical entry-level camera that you could buy, especially if you are a blogger and are looking for something that can give you those amazing photos (and videos!) for as little out of the pocket as possible. Now, the lens that it can come with is pretty good, and is what I used until I purchased my 50mm (read #5 for more info on that). It's an awesome lens for getting used to using a DLSR for the first time, but once you start to grow in the art of photography, you may want to upgrade later on. I will note that I shoot exclusively in RAW file format, both because of the amazing control I have over editing later on, as well as the fact that the softwares I use to edit require photos to be shot in RAW to be most effective.

#2 // I use Adobe Bridge to upload (Camera Uploader) and edit (Camera Raw) my photos. I also use it to sort all the photos that I upload from my camera. It's a nice, practical tool to have on hand.

#3 // When I am editing my photos in Camera Raw, I use VSCO Film Filters from my 01 Film Pack. It's these filters that give my photos that certain look and edge that you really can't get anywhere else. I click through the filters until I find something that I think fits the photo's aesthetic, then adjust the levels, hue and white-balance as needed. Below I have illustrated the difference between a photo that has been edited with VSCO filters, and the same photo that has the same basic settings, only without the affect of VSCO.

You can just see the amazing yet subtle difference between the two. That's what I love about VSCO: you get an impactful yet subdued edge to your photos that you really can't achieve in any other way.

#4 // I use Photoshop to resize the images and design any typography or doodles needed for the photos.

#5 // Just about the only lens I use is my nifty-fifty: Canon EF 50mm 1/8/f lens. It gives that dreamy blurred background that is so popular among photographers, provides stunning quality, and is just about the most inexpensive lens you could buy for a Canon camera! I ADORE this lens SO much! It's super practical, and you honestly can't beat the price; especially with the sharp quality you get. I have demonstrated the difference between the 18-55mm kit lens (that can come with most entry-level DSLRs) and the 50mm fixed lens below:

You can see the difference in depth-of-field (background focus) and quality. The one shot with the 18-55mm is more flat and grainy, while the photograph taken with the 50mm has much more depth and sharpness, not to mention an incredible depth-of-field. I would whole-heartedly recommend this lens to any blogger (style, sewing, you name it!) to achieve those professional-looking photos for as little out-of-pocket as possible. Although it can take a little to master the focus, etc. it's a pretty easy lens to get used to. My #1 tip is to zoom in on any iffy photos (like long-shots for outfit posts, or essential shots for a tutorial, etc.) while previewing the photos in-camera, just to make sure everything is sharp and doable for editing.

Well, that's all that I have to share for now! I hope this post was helpful to those of you desiring to experiment more with photography! I know my process for editing is much more complex than some, but it works for me and I'm happy with it.

Do you have any ideas for future photography posts?

Any further questions about my photography equipment?

xo,

-Charlotte

CREDITS // Author: Charlotte Boyer; Photography & Graphics: Charlotte Boyer.