Asian Photography – July 2019

July 2019 - 45

Are you planning to step up your photography to a professional
level?
Since we have now discussed what happens when your
photography grows to a point that you need an upgrade, let
us discuss what happens when both your gear and you need
one. There is a point in every photographer’s life when he or she
loses the amateur tag and wishes to earn through photographic
ventures. But to provide professional work that clients and art
buyers can invest in, the quality needs to be of a professional
level. So when one decides to go pro, it is best to invest in good
cameras and lenses. Understand the direction you wish to take
in your professional photography career and then decide on
which features you will require in your equipment. For example,
if you regularly shoot in low light, then get yourself a fast lens
or a camera which has better ISO performance. If you want to
become a professional product on macro photographer, then
get a good macro lens and so on.

How battered is your gear?
Another very important aspect of upgrading your gears is its
physical condition. Most photographers take their cameras
and lenses through adverse weather conditions and over the
years these gears get their fair share of bumps and bruises. If
your camera is badly batterred it is best to get a new one since
photography can be a tricky business and it feels extremely
disheartening if your gear fails mid-shoot. To be on the safe
side, start planning and saving up for a new camera before your
current camera is completely run down.

Is the company still providing support?
A good way to get an indication of a much needed equipment
upgrade is when the camera or lens manufacturer stops giving

updates for your model of camera or lens. The companies

usually provide regular software as well as hardware updates

and support for years after the launch, but it is a good indication

when the manufacturer decides to not provide that support

anymore. This means that the company is branding that camera

or lens obsolete and parts or spares may not be available with

the company anymore.

Are you having to compromise and hack to use new gear?

Many photographers choose to shift loyalties when it comes to

cameras, but they get stuck with the lens portfolio they already

have. The easy solution then is to buy converters for the lenses

and use them. But this is sometimes indicative that it is a good

time to upgrade to a new system. Converters and other such

hacks may get the job done, but are not perfect. Photographers

also sometimes use extenders to increase the focal length of

a particular lens, but these are not as good as stock lenses as