Photography

How to Maximize the Potential of Your Kit Lens

How to Maximize the Potential of Your Kit Lens | https://www.roseclearfield.com

When you first purchase a DSLR camera, most likely you buy an entry-level camera body with a kit lens that comes with it because you don’t know what kind of lens you want or need. I bought my first DSLR in late 2012 with a kit lens. I had absolutely no understanding of the best lenses for my photography. In May 2013, I upgraded slightly to a zoom lens with a greater focal range. The quality wasn’t much better than the newest kit lenses on the market today. It was my primary zoom lens until August 2016. I used it extensively on multiple vacations, on numerous day trips and other short excursions, and for hundreds (literally) of Etsy listings, blog posts, and articles.

How to Maximize the Potential of Your Kit Lens | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Brand new to DSLR photography, a kit lens is a great place to start. With a few simple tips, this lightweight, affordable lens will get you through years of shooting in varied environments and experimenting with a wide spectrum of photography. A kit lens is a great fit for landscape photography, street photography, portrait photography, blog photography, and even macro photography. You’ll be hard pressed to find another lens at this price point that has such a light weight and offers such versatility.

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ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10: Unboxing + Initial Thoughts

ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10 Unboxing + Initial Thoughts | https://www.roseclearfield.com

[Disclaimer: I purchased the ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10 with my own money. ThinkTank did not reimburse me or endorse me to write this post. I do receive a small commission if you use one of my links to purchase ThinkTank gear. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.]

Recently, I purchased the ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10, primarily for an upcoming trip. I have mentioned this trip a few times but purposely been pretty vague about it because I don’t like to announce my travel plans to the greater public. I will be sharing the full details afterward. Not surprisingly, I already own a couple of camera bags, which I love. But neither of them is quite what I want for this trip.

  • LowePro Fastpack. I bought the LowePro backpack right after I bought my first DSLR, and it’s been awesome. It houses both a DSLR and laptop safely, and it’s very comfortable and practical for extended wear and use during trips. It’s been my go-to carry-on and everyday use trip bag ever since. I am still planning to use this bag as my carry-on for the upcoming trip. (It will also be my backup if the unthinkable happens and my checked luggage doesn’t make it.) But it’s too bulky for a trip of this length and nature to use every single day. (Note: I’ve linked the updated version, which features an all-weather cover.)
  • ThinkTank CityWalker 20. Unfortunately, ThinkTank discontinued the CityWalker line. The line is very similar to their MindShiftExposure series. I bought the CityWalker 20 to serve as my walk-around bag for day trips and other shorter excursions. It’s perfect for this purpose. But again, it’s too bulky for this trip. For many people, the weight and size would be fine. But I’m 5’2″ and petite, so it gets to be a lot of weight on my shoulder, especially with extensive walking.

ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10 Unboxing + Initial Thoughts | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Enter the ThinkTank SubUrban Disguise 10. I consulted with the Photorec.tv support group and then a ThinkTank rep before making my purchase. I was already leaning toward this bag before consulting with ThinkTank. It was one of the rep’s two recommendations, which sealed the deal.

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10 Quick Tips for Great Reflection Photos

10 Quick Tips for Great Reflection Photos | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Taking reflection photos is a lot of fun. You come across a stunning reflected scene in a lake or you see the light strike a glass window just right and produce a beautiful reflection, and you want to capture the scene just so. While it’s hard to take a bad photo of a great reflection, transforming a good photo into a great photo is easier said than done.

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3 Cheap DIY Bokeh Photography Backgrounds

3 Cheap DIY Bokeh Photography Backgrounds | https://www.roseclearfield.com

Bokeh comes from the Japanese word meaning blur or haze. It refers to the aesthetic quality of the blur produced by a lens in the parts of the image that are out of focus. Many people invest in DSLR cameras because they love the look of bokeh and want to produce it in their own images. A DSLR camera is an ideal tool for creating images with beautiful bokeh, particularly when you use a prime lens like the 50mm f/1.8. However, you do not need a DSLR camera or any other expensive technology for these cheap DIY bokeh photography backgrounds.

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