• Photo Gear

    Below is a list of gear that I use in my classes, but there are many choices. I shoot with Nikon, but Canon make great cameras too. I always recommend students buy the camera that fits best in their hand, though I would stick with either Nikon or Canon..

  • Camera Bodies

    • Nikon D800
      Professional full frame camera. At 36 mega pixels, this camera is for landscape and studio photographers who demand the best image quality possible. It requires the best lenses and flawless technique. It also requires a beast of a computer
    • Nikon D300s
      Nikon's pro grade crop sensor camera. Comparable to Canon 7D.This camera is being replaced soon with a D400
    • Nikon D7000
      Nikon’s newest enthusiast/semi-pro camera. Comparable to Canon 60D

  • Lenses

    • Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens
      Pro Nikon lens for full frame cameras. My main lens for event photography indoors. Weather resistant and build like a tank. It has roughly the same field of view as a crop sensor camera with a 17-50mm lens. Look at the Tamron for a cheaper alternative
    • Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II Lens
      A pro lens with a pro price tag, this is my go-to lens for portraits. A fantastic telephoto lens which produces amazing image quality. Check out the Sigma version too, expecially if you shoot with a crop sensor camera.
    • Nikon 16-35mm f/4G VR II Wide Angle Zoom Lens
      One of the sharpest zoom lens's available. Perfect for landscapes on a full frame camera. For a crop sensor, a 10-24mm lens to equals about the same field of view. The Canon version opens up to f/2.8
    • Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR Micro Lens
      Prime lens that is a great portrait lens as well as a very good macro lens for close up photography
    • Nikon 50mm f/1.4 Lens
      I use this lens when I have to shoot in the dark. On a crop sensor is appears as a short telephoto lens which is good for portraits. Get the f/1.8 G version (not the D) to save a few hundred dollars if you dont need the extra 1/2 stop of light
    • Nikon 18-200mm Lens with Vibration Reduction
      My backup lens in case something happens to my 17-50mm or 70-200mm lens. Good one lens solution when you are traveling light with a crop sensor camera. Pros don't use this because the aperture is too small (they like f/2.8 or larger)
    • Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 Lens with Optical Stabilization
      Good wide angle zoom lens for cropped sensor cameras. This lens stays on my D300S almost all the time. Also avalible with a Canon mount
    • B+W UV Filters
      To protect my valuable lenses from damage, I use B+W UV filters. B+W are more expensive that most filters, but the quality of the glass is superb. Cheaper filters degrade the image. Remember to order the size for your lens
    • Nikon TC-20E III Teleconverter (2X)
      Doubles the focal length of my 70-200mm f/2.8 lens (140-400mm) at a cost of 2 f-stops (f/5.6). Will not work on most lenses, only a select few pro Nikon lenses. Don’t use a teleconverter unless you know what it's limitations are
    • Datacolor SpyderLensCal Lens Calibration System
      Lens focus calibration device for cameras that support Auto Focus Fine Tuning. I calibrate all my lenses on all of my cameras to get the sharpest images possible

  • Tripods and Camera Supports

    • Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod Legs
      Large Tripod. Buy this one and it will last you for decades. Cheaper tripods will break. Also available in a Carbon Fiber version
    • Manfrotto 190SPROB Tripod
      Medium size tripod. Excellent quality that will last for years. Also available in Carbon Fiber
    • Manfrotto Joystick Head
      This is the updated version of the tripod head I use. Very stable and very fast to use
    • Black Rapid FastenR-T1 for Manfrotto Tripod Attachment Plates
      Do NOT hook a Black Rapid strap on to the bottom plate of your Manfrotto Tripod Mounting Plate until you replace the screw with this one
    • Manfrotto 701HDV Video Head
      I use this fluid tripod head when I am shooting video which allows for panning shots
    • SkimmerSack Beanbag
      The perfect camera support for a car or truck. This beanbag hangs with one leg inside your vehicle and one outside your window to give you a solid platform for photographing from inside a car. Expensive for what it is, but you can make your own too

  • Lighting & Studio Gear

    • Yongnuo Wireless Remote Flash Triggers
      FIre your off camera flashes wirelessly. You can buy 11 sets of these for the cost of 1 pair of Pocket Wizards used by the pros
    • Nikon SB-700 Speedlight
      I also have a SB-910 which is Nikon's most powerful flash, but the SB-700 is fine for most people. Equivalent to Canon 430EX II Speedlite
    • LumoPro LP160 Manual Flash
      Top quality manual flash at a great price. I recommend students start with one midgrade flash from their camera manufacturer, then go with these for additional flashes as they can be optical slaves
    • Calumet Genesis 200 Studio Light Kit
      Good way to get started with studio lights. Good value, but if I were to buy them again, I may choose Alien Bees instead
    • Westcott Apollo Softbox/Lightstand Kits
      I have 2 of these and they are great kits for off camera flash and studio work using Speedlights. Add a pair of umberallas and you have a very versatile system
    • Cowboy Studio Lighting Kit
      At $40, this kit is the perfect starter kit for students wanting to get into off camera flashes. Later on, they will be used as additional supports for multi flash setups
    • Ravelli Backdrop Kit
      Kit includes two stands, crossbar, large black and large white cloth backdrop and a convenient case. It gets good reviews but I have broken it is several places, even though I take good care of my equipment
    • Opteka 43" 5-in-1 reflector
      A simple round reflector with a white, silver, black, and gold side and a translucent scrim in the middle
    • Sandbags
      These sandbags are used to keep photography lighting stands from falling over. After a stand falls over and you break a $300 flash, you will never use a stand without a sandbag again
    • Rogue Grid for Speedlights
      A grid for your speedlight focuses light and keeps the light from relfecting around the room. I have used the Honl Speed Grid and prefer this one
    • 4-in-1 Step Ladder, Hand Truck, Dollie & Hand Cart
      This is how I move my gear as well as getting high shots using the step ladder

  • Printer and Print Services

    • Epson Stylus Pro 3880
      My printer will print professional quality 17" x 22" (or smaller) archival prints, provided you use top quality archival paper
    • BayPhoto.com
      This is the printing service I use for anything larger than 17" x 22" prints
    • Blurb
      Make your own books. Blurb allows you to make high quality books from you photos. One of the Lightroom modules lets you print your book straight to Blurb

  • Other Gear

    • Pelican 1510 Cases
      I don't use camera bags. I prefer hard cases and went with several of these hard shell, waterproof, dust proof cases to carry my gear in. This fits in the overhead compartment of planes too.
    • Sandisk Extreme Pro Memory Cards
      These are my favorite SD and CF cards, but I don't recommend them for the average person until you get pro gear or start shooting for money. They are very expensive, but very fast and reliable
    • Transcend Memory Cards
      These are great cards, very inexpensive and I have never had one fail. I have heard of other pro photographers using them too
    • Black Rapid Single Camera Strap
      I use this camera strap if I am only using 1 camera at a time
    • Black Rapid Double Camera Strap
      I shoot with 2 cameras at the same time. I switch back and forth between cameras instead of switching lenses
    • Sanyo Eneloop AA Batteries
      Reliable batteries to power all my flashes and battery grips for my cameras. Use slow chargers. Fast chargers (15min) kill batteries
    • Hoodman Loop
      Have trouble seeing your LCD screen on the back of your camera in sunlight? This loop makes it much easier to see your screen
    • Wireless Remote Control
      To get photos really sharp, use a tripod with a remote control. Canon makes one almost as inexpensive as this one. Some entry level cameras (D3100) cannot use wireless remotes, so check your camera manual before buying one
    • Spyder3 Pro Monitor Calibrator
      I NEVER delete or edit any photo unless I am working on a color-calibrated monitor
    • X-Rite ColorChecker Passport and Software
      If color matters to you, use this to make sure you get accurate color. Just remember there is a difference between accurate color and pleasing color

  • Software

    Your computer is only as good as the software it runs