Many photographers say that the gear doesn’t matter, that it’s all about how you use what you have available. However, that doesn’t mean that trying new products and experimenting with updated gear is bad. Here are four tools that you should consider trying out!
Wacom Tablet
You can probably find one of these tablets in every illustration or animation majors backpacks. While these drawing tablets are primarily used for digital art, they are also an amazing tool for photo retouching. It gives you the ability to make painterly strokes and precise lines easier than just using a mouse. Second-year photography student Nora Benjamin had this to say about her experience with her tablet. “My tablet is a versatile tool that can be used for many applications. I use it for making illustrations as well as editing photos and I never edit without it.”
Prism
This piece of glass can be used to create amazing light reflections and rainbows. By placing this around the lens of your camera, you can create dynamic and unique images. These images can be dreamy, airy and have gained popularity in the last couple of years. Take this simple tool and see what you can create with it.
Light meter
Light meters may cost a pretty penny but they are worth the expense. This tool can be used to measure ambient light and strobes. It makes it easier to figure out the exact settings your camera should be set on to get the perfect shot. This is especially important for large format and film photography. “It takes the hassle out of figuring out your camera settings,” said Courtney Peplin, a third-year graphic design and photography student. “While it is important to understand the settings and what they mean, this will cut down on the time it takes to set up your shots.” Just make sure that your light meter is compatible with the lights you will be using!
Tether Cord
Possibly my personal favorite on this list is the tether cord. This cord allows you to connect your camera to a computer and import your photos directly when taken and paired with Lightroom CC or Capture One software. You can inspect and edit your photos directly after hitting the shutter, making sure you have the photo you envisioned!
