Below are, what supplies are needed, where to buy a camera and where to print
Supplies Needed for Your Class
1. A camera- SLR or Mirrorless Digital camera. A SLR digital camera means you can remove the lens and it should have various modes, like aperture and shutter priority modes. If you need to purchase a digital camera, scroll down this page to read the, Which Camera to Buy section. Point and shoot cameras are okay to have, especially for the kids classes, but the camera should ideally have both an Aperture (A/AV) and Shutter Priority (S/TV) modes to control it more.
2. A memory card and a fully charged battery or extra batteries if you have a camera that takes AAA batteries.
3. A pen and notebook to either hold handouts and/or note taking.
Additional supplies needed for the Photo II class or the ADVANCED photography student ONLY enrolled in a private lesson (meaning you know about aperture and shutter speeds):
4. PHOTO II STUDENTS or ADVANCED level photographers ONLY should ALSO bring in to the first class about 10-15 examples of your photographs. You may bring in actual photos, a photo album, images on a flash drive/thumb drive, iPad, or your laptop. This will help in determining what you know and what you need to know, as well as it helps me design the curriculum with your needs and interest in mind.
If you are a film camera user, contact Kelly.
2. A memory card and a fully charged battery or extra batteries if you have a camera that takes AAA batteries.
3. A pen and notebook to either hold handouts and/or note taking.
Additional supplies needed for the Photo II class or the ADVANCED photography student ONLY enrolled in a private lesson (meaning you know about aperture and shutter speeds):
4. PHOTO II STUDENTS or ADVANCED level photographers ONLY should ALSO bring in to the first class about 10-15 examples of your photographs. You may bring in actual photos, a photo album, images on a flash drive/thumb drive, iPad, or your laptop. This will help in determining what you know and what you need to know, as well as it helps me design the curriculum with your needs and interest in mind.
If you are a film camera user, contact Kelly.
Which Camera to Buy?
Most photographers should consider purchasing either a D-SLR or mirrorless camera. This type of camera allows you to remove the lens and the quality of the photo is sharper than a bridge or point and shoot camera.
Before you start shopping for a camera, set a budget.
Then go to a store to feel the weight of the camera to make sure it fits well in your hand and is comfortable. I can't hold a Nikon D850 because it's just too big for my hand.
Lastly, compare cameras, like Nikon to Canon cameras on website's like, https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras. When deciding between brands, think about the mega pixels. The higher the mega pixel the sharper the image. Mirrorless and full frame type camera's are better and produce sharper images.
Don't buy the cheapest deal you find! Most of the time that means it is sold on the gray market. YUCK! That means you won't get a certified warranty and serial number. So, it's hard to fix and resell. So, go shopping at the stores listed below to ensure it's not gray market.
For the younger photographer, consider either a point and shoot, bridge or DSLR type camera that has various modes like, A/AV, S/TV and/or Scenes. Also, an added plus, is when the camera has WI-FI capability. Kids love to upload right to their cell phones to share their images to social media or edit using apps.
Consider renting a camera before you buy.
Two places I have rented at are:
1. borrowlenses.com
2. Lens Pro to Go: http://www.lensprotogo.com/
Before you start shopping for a camera, set a budget.
Then go to a store to feel the weight of the camera to make sure it fits well in your hand and is comfortable. I can't hold a Nikon D850 because it's just too big for my hand.
Lastly, compare cameras, like Nikon to Canon cameras on website's like, https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras. When deciding between brands, think about the mega pixels. The higher the mega pixel the sharper the image. Mirrorless and full frame type camera's are better and produce sharper images.
Don't buy the cheapest deal you find! Most of the time that means it is sold on the gray market. YUCK! That means you won't get a certified warranty and serial number. So, it's hard to fix and resell. So, go shopping at the stores listed below to ensure it's not gray market.
For the younger photographer, consider either a point and shoot, bridge or DSLR type camera that has various modes like, A/AV, S/TV and/or Scenes. Also, an added plus, is when the camera has WI-FI capability. Kids love to upload right to their cell phones to share their images to social media or edit using apps.
Consider renting a camera before you buy.
Two places I have rented at are:
1. borrowlenses.com
2. Lens Pro to Go: http://www.lensprotogo.com/
Which Lens to Purchase?
Most hobbyist photographers should purchase a Zoom lens. A typical range is either 18-55 and a 75-300 mm range lens.
A 18-55 mm lens is good to have if you want to photograph people, landscapes or travel photography. A 75-300 mm range lens is better for capturing distances like, sports or backyard birding. Ultimately, you want your lens to do the job and get the shot.
A more advanced photographer should consider purchasing a fixed or prime lens. This type of lens does not zoom, but will typically give you a sharper image and allow you to photograph better in low light without a flash. Consider a prime lens like my favorites, 50mm, 35mm, 85mm or 105mm etc.
A 18-55 mm lens is good to have if you want to photograph people, landscapes or travel photography. A 75-300 mm range lens is better for capturing distances like, sports or backyard birding. Ultimately, you want your lens to do the job and get the shot.
A more advanced photographer should consider purchasing a fixed or prime lens. This type of lens does not zoom, but will typically give you a sharper image and allow you to photograph better in low light without a flash. Consider a prime lens like my favorites, 50mm, 35mm, 85mm or 105mm etc.
UV filters- Get One!
After you purchase a camera, I would highly recommend that you purchase a UV filter or otherwise known as a protection filter for your lens. I recommend manufacturer's like, Hoya, Tiffen, or B+W.
The bottom line is it really is the best way to protect your camera lens. Meaning it will keep your lens free of scratches and glass breakage. If you scratch your lens, you will have to replace that entire and very costly lens. If you scratch your filter, you will just have to replace that inexpensive filter. Filters generally cost about $15-$40. Check the back of your camera's lens cap for the filter size you should buy, i.e. 55 mm UV filter
The bottom line is it really is the best way to protect your camera lens. Meaning it will keep your lens free of scratches and glass breakage. If you scratch your lens, you will have to replace that entire and very costly lens. If you scratch your filter, you will just have to replace that inexpensive filter. Filters generally cost about $15-$40. Check the back of your camera's lens cap for the filter size you should buy, i.e. 55 mm UV filter
Where to Shop?
The following photography stores are recommended because I have been sending my students, as well as, going their for almost twenty years. That is why I can ONLY recommend the following stores with great confidence:
Hunt's Photo and Video, 101 Main St. Melrose, MA 02176 781-662-8822 (the largest camera store in New England) You can get all the supplies needed for class, good prices and ask for, Brad Mintz. :) There are also locations in Boston, Manchester, NH and Portland, Maine.
B & H Photo and Video, 420 9TH Ave. NEW YORK, NY 10001 800.606.6969
An AMAZINGLY LARGE selection of everything a photographer could ever want at great prices and free shipping. They have some of the best selection of non-gray market products = You will get a warranty from the camera company. www.bhphotovideo.com
Adorama -They are one of the few stores around that commits to not selling gray market equipment. Great prices and selection too. 800-223.2500. http://www.adorama.com
Best Buy, Sometimes they have great prices and a good selection of cameras, but the salesperson's knowledge of equipment may or may not be reliable.
Hunt's Photo and Video, 101 Main St. Melrose, MA 02176 781-662-8822 (the largest camera store in New England) You can get all the supplies needed for class, good prices and ask for, Brad Mintz. :) There are also locations in Boston, Manchester, NH and Portland, Maine.
B & H Photo and Video, 420 9TH Ave. NEW YORK, NY 10001 800.606.6969
An AMAZINGLY LARGE selection of everything a photographer could ever want at great prices and free shipping. They have some of the best selection of non-gray market products = You will get a warranty from the camera company. www.bhphotovideo.com
Adorama -They are one of the few stores around that commits to not selling gray market equipment. Great prices and selection too. 800-223.2500. http://www.adorama.com
Best Buy, Sometimes they have great prices and a good selection of cameras, but the salesperson's knowledge of equipment may or may not be reliable.
Where to Print Your Photos?
1) The Finer Image, 20 Park St. Danvers, MA 978-777-4686 - A GREAT printing lab & the only custom printing lab north of Boston. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS!
2) Hunt Photo Melrose, MA or Manchester, NH
On-line printing companies that my students and myself also love are:
Printmakers Inc.
Nations Photo
M-Pix
Adorama
Blurb
Shutterfly
2) Hunt Photo Melrose, MA or Manchester, NH
On-line printing companies that my students and myself also love are:
Printmakers Inc.
Nations Photo
M-Pix
Adorama
Blurb
Shutterfly