Photography on a Budget
Olivia here! I am the Director of Photography at Sage Creative. If you had told me a few years ago that I would have a job centered around taking photos, I would have looked at you like you were crazy. However, the longer time went on, the more and more I realized photography is my passion. The first thing many people think of when considering practicing photography is the cost that comes with it. It is definitely not a cheap hobby to pick up or career to pursue. However, if it is something you want to learn how to do, there are ways to stay on a budget. Here are a few of my tips about staying within budget and doing what you love!
1. Get the light right.
Photography is all about capturing light. So, lighting is going to be one of the most important things when it comes to getting the perfect shot.
Studio lighting is not always necessary, especially if you are on a tight budget. Natural light will become your best friend! Find a window and place your subject, whether it be a product or person, facing the window.
2. Prime is not a crime.
There are two categories of lenses in the photography world - prime and zoom. Zoom lenses allow for different focal lengths from one lens. They are more flexible than a prime lens. However, they are bigger, heavier, and usually more expensive.
A prime lens has a fixed focal length. They are less flexible than a zoom lens, but are faster and sharper. A prime lens is lightweight and compact, making them easier to carry.
When starting out, most people automatically jump to the conclusion that they need a zoom lens. This is not always the case. Prime lenses can be great to start out with because you can get to know your camera settings without having to worry about the focal length. Prime lenses are also significantly cheaper than zoom lenses. So, if you are on a budget, looking for a prime lens may be a good place to start.
Two great prime lenses are a 50mm and 35mm.
A 50mm lens with an aperture of 1.8 is a great lens for lower light photography. The low aperture (or f-stop) allows more light to come through the lens. So, if you don’t have a studio setup with added light, a lower aperture could be helpful in capturing the right amount of light. This lens is also relatively affordable at anywhere from $100-$200.
A 35mm lens is going to give you a much wider shot than the 50mm. This lens has more versatility in that you can capture wider, landscape scenes, or you can come closer in for a traditional portrait shot. Depending on what you are shooting, this lens may be better for you. It is going to be a little more expensive than a 50mm, but still usually cheaper than a zoom lens.
3. Understand the value of second-hand.
Renting equipment can be a great way to try out different lenses until you find what you like and are comfortable with.
If you are looking to buy equipment of your own, I would recommend buying it used! Most of the time nice, barely used cameras or lenses can be found at a fraction of the price if you were to buy them new. People often buy or get gifted cameras to pick up photography as a hobby. They quickly find that it is not as easy as just grabbing a camera and shooting. These people then turn around and sell their practically brand new camera or lens for a fraction of the original price. This is great for people who are looking to up their photography game, but who also have to stick to a budget!
Do your research, read seller reviews, and communicate with the seller on why they are selling their equipment before you buy. There is nothing wrong with buying second-hand!
4. You need to read!
One of the biggest tips I have for someone learning photography is to learn to shoot in manual mode. Finding the right composition for your shot is only part of the battle. You can instantly up your photography game when you learn to adjust your settings for each different shot. I would suggest finding free online photography classes and researching how to adjust camera settings to learn how to make the switch from auto to manual mode. Articles, classes, and youtube tutorials can all be found for free online when you are practicing photography on a budget!
5. Practice, practice, practice!!
The more you practice, the better you’ll be! Especially when it comes to learning camera settings, practice is key. Get out in different environments, with different amounts of light, at different angles, and just practice until you find out what works best for you. Reading articles and watching videos is great and will help you learn how to adjust all of your settings and what each setting does, but getting out there and doing it will allow you to see how to best capture light and what style you like best. Don’t be afraid to mess up the first few times or not get it just right for every shot. Keep practicing and you will get better!
All in all, it is possible to practice and love photography even on a budget. You just have to be smart about your purchases, practice, and do the best you can with what you have! Keep working hard, and you can build a life around a job that you love! If you feel like photography is so important to you or your business, but a little overwhelming, don’t fret; that’s why I’m here! I would love to talk with you about it!