Landscape Photography Kit Suggestion

[dan_south]

<p>Chintak, in case you are still following this discussion, your most important asset is not the camera that you own. Rather, it is your ability to produce high quality photographs on a consistent basis.</p>

<p>In order to produce high quality photographs, you'll need to gain knowledge and experience, and you'll need to develop a set of core skills.</p>

<p>The best way to develop knowledge and skill is through study and practice (but mostly practice). Shoot frequently. Review the results. Do your images compare with examples of work that you admire? Devise strategies for producing better results next time. You'll need to go through this process over and over again in order to make significant progress. Study and practice both shooting techniques and post processing techniques as often as you can.</p>

<p>In order to practice and to develop your craft, you don't need the newest and most expensive cameras and lenses. An older camera or a less expensive "new" model will serve you very well. (Are you maxing out the capabilities of your D200 yet? Maybe a used D700 would be a good next step.) The more expensive gear (D800/5D Mark III) serves best those who have already established a base of solid technique.</p>

<p>Beware of advice from well-meaning folks who suggest that you need to buy the latest fancy gear. A lot of professional photographers are still using 12MP D3s cameras (or even the older D3) every day, and their customers are satisfied. Lots of pixels and cutting edge sensor design aren't going to help you produce better photographs until you learn many, many lessons about light, composition, exposure, subject placement and movement, focusing techniques and depth of field, post processing, noise control, cropping, camera stability, vision, judgment, and taste.</p>

<p>Do yourself a favor. Buy some modest equipment at first and concentrate your time and effort on developing your skills. Dedicate yourself to becoming better and better over time and on assembling and publishing an impressive portfolio. If instead you get caught up in the endless quest for newer and fancier equipment, you're not going to make as much progress, and your camera bag will be more impressive than your portfolio.</p>

[mary_ann2]

<p>Not to bump an old thread, but I was reading the comments very attentively as I am practicing a lot landscapes these days (no business for me though:( ). The last comment by Dan South is spot-on!</p>