Welcome

Community

Photography Basics

Digital Skills

Digital Darkroom

Portraiture

Top Tips

Camera Reviews

Photo Projects

Resources

DSLR Camera Essentials

The Basic Kit

Photography is part science and part art ~ and your DSLR camera allows you to combine these two aspects seamlessly.

If you think a DSLR is made up of one camera body and one lens and you're good to go, you're probably in for a rude awakening. A DSLR kit consists of a variety of accessories that extend the camera's versatility.

© Artur Marciniec | Dreamstime.com

This includes the following:

Useful Accessories

A Tripod

The tripod is one of the most important tools in a photographer's kit. When you learn techniques and skills that involve long shutter speeds, you need a motionless base to hold the camera steady. A tripod is the ideal solution, although in some instances you can get away by resting the camera on a beanbag, table, rock or any other immobile object.

A Remote Shutter Release Control

A remote shutter release cable and remote control or wireless device help to combat the effects of camera shake. There are a variety of devices with different usage ranges available, so do your homework to establish what will work best for your particular needs.

Filters

Filters assist in adding special effects to light's physical properties before it enters the lens. Many professional photographers keep a few standard lenses in their bags as some of these effects are hard to create with post-processing techniques.

Extra Lenses

One of the great benefits of owning a DSLR is the ability to use a variety of lenses to increase the scope of your camera. A standard zoom lens is supplied with most cameras, but depending on the style of photography that you're most interested in, chances are that you will want to invest in other lenses too.

A Portable Photo Viewer Storable Device

There is a selection of portable storage devices available that can hold upwards of 160GB, which makes storage of more memory demanding images less of a concern. These devices are also convenient in allowing you to review your images on a larger, high-resolution LCD screen.

A Protective Case

A special padded kit bag is important to safeguard your delicate camera equipment. There are loads of different designs and brands to choose from, but a good rule of thumb is to always buy one that has the capacity to take slightly more kit than you already own. This way you'll have enough spare room when you splash out on a new lens. Consider getting a waterproof case if you plan to venture outdoors.

Extra Software

There are two tasks for which you may need extra software. The first is to convert RAW files when you want maximum creative control over your images. The second is when you wish to enhance your files using post-production software.

If you found this page on DSLR camera essentials useful, you may enjoy the following pages too:

* All about Photography

* Digital Workflow

* Online Digital Photography Tutorials

(From DSLR Camera back to DSLR Cameras)

(From DSLR Camera back to Basic Photography Tips Home)

SBI!