Below are supples needed for your class, where to buy a camera and where to print
Supplies Needed for Your Class
*** MASK WEARING IS NOW OPTIONAL DURING 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 are):
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.
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 are):
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 16 years and up should consider purchasing either a DSLR or mirrorless camera. This type of camera allows you to remove the lens and is generally considered sharpen than a bridge or point and shoot camera.
A good place to start shopping is to first 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.
Lastly, compare, DSLR Nikon to Canon cameras to mirrorless cameras. When deciding between each brand, think about the mega pixels. The higher the mega pixel the sharper the image..
For the younger photographer, consider either a point and shoot, bridge or DSLR type camera that has various modes like, Aperture, Shutter and 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/
A good place to start shopping is to first 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.
Lastly, compare, DSLR Nikon to Canon cameras to mirrorless cameras. When deciding between each brand, think about the mega pixels. The higher the mega pixel the sharper the image..
For the younger photographer, consider either a point and shoot, bridge or DSLR type camera that has various modes like, Aperture, Shutter and 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 50-200 mm range lens.
A 18-55 mm lens is good to have if you want to photograph people, landscapes or travel photography. A 55-300 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 180mm etc.
A 18-55 mm lens is good to have if you want to photograph people, landscapes or travel photography. A 55-300 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 180mm 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
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
Where to Shop?
The following photography stores are recommended because we have been sending our students, as well as, going their ourselves for almost twenty years. That is why we 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 my husband, Brad. :)
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-grey market products = You will get a warranty from the camera company. www.bhphotovideo.com
Adorama -They are one of the only stores around that commits to not selling grey market equipment. Great prices and selection too. 800-223.2500. http://www.adorama.com
Best Buy, Sometimes they have the best prices and a good selection of cameras, but the salesperson's knowledge of equipment may or may not be reliable.
FYI: Sanford Camera Repair - This place is great. They can clean your Canon or Nikon's digital camera sensor in just ONE day! Unlike if you mail your camera directly to your camera manufacturer, it can take a minimum of 4-6 weeks!
1056 Massachusetts Ave. Arlington, MA 02476
781 648 2505 http://www.sanfordcamerarepair.com/index.html
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 my husband, Brad. :)
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-grey market products = You will get a warranty from the camera company. www.bhphotovideo.com
Adorama -They are one of the only stores around that commits to not selling grey market equipment. Great prices and selection too. 800-223.2500. http://www.adorama.com
Best Buy, Sometimes they have the best prices and a good selection of cameras, but the salesperson's knowledge of equipment may or may not be reliable.
FYI: Sanford Camera Repair - This place is great. They can clean your Canon or Nikon's digital camera sensor in just ONE day! Unlike if you mail your camera directly to your camera manufacturer, it can take a minimum of 4-6 weeks!
1056 Massachusetts Ave. Arlington, MA 02476
781 648 2505 http://www.sanfordcamerarepair.com/index.html
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 love are:
Printmakers Inc.
Nations Photo
M-Pix
Adorama
Blurb
Shutterfly
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 love are:
Printmakers Inc.
Nations Photo
M-Pix
Adorama
Blurb
Shutterfly