Video University: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers: Essentials for a NEW Photographer.

I could practically copy Luisa Winters' post word-for word, so I definitely need some technical assistance from the Vets around here.

True. I would qualify it though with the word "correct" practice. I have seen many photographers who have 20 years or more under belt but who have bad habits. One photographer who was a 20 year veteran wondered why we didn't use flash in many of our shots. We told them we can handhold shots on avg about 1/20 at 50mm with a high batting ratio. He couldn't believe it was true. We showed him (we use digital dslr) our shots. Then we told him, part of the reason why he couldn't do it is-- 1. He was told about the 1/<focal length) rule and believed it was inviolable, 2. that good posture and camera technique is not part of the equation.

My camera: Olympus Evolt E-300

Accessories: none

Experience: at least 5 years amateur photography with a lot of "those are amazing" comments at the pictures

Goals: To help out those couple who are on tight budgets and can't afford a "professional" wedding photographer. I believe my work is good enough to at least get my foot in the door, and then, the possibilities are endless, in my mind. I am fully prepared to fall on my face, but I want to at least give it a shot.

Question: What are my must-haves?

Lenses?

For weddings, the common and most used focal length is the 28-70 in 35mm format. For your Oly, that would be 14-35mm lens. Of course you have the 14-50 if I am not mistaken. This is about 90-95% of the shooting requirement. BTW, there is also the need for speed, and not just a regular 28-70. F2.8 is the bare minimum.

Other focal lenses are just bonuses (e.g. 70-200 or in Oly 35-100 or its equivalalent). Again f2.8 or faster is desired. If it has image stabilization it helps.

Wider lenses can help spice up the shots. Dramatic vistas of the church and couple can be had with a 10-22 or whereabouts (8-17 in Oly's world). But this is again optional.

In addition to these lenses, I would suggest "learning" your lenses. Many buy lenses of varying focal lenghts and treat it as if it were a 50mm or so. A wide angle lens requires a lot of learning, a different set of "eyes" to compose. If you ask me, a wide angle lens is harder to learn than a 135mm telephoto. A telephoto requires better handholding skills and physical control, however. The nature of wide angle lenses means there are more elements to "control" and more lens idiosyncrasies (perpspective control, barrel/pincussion distortions, flare, etc) to manage.

Flashes?

Flashes can be any flash. The key to flash is knowing how to use it and it should be strong or powerful enough. You can use the manufacturer's flash or 3rd party. But it should be strong. I see many pros who like the small and less powerful versions. This is nice and handy, but if you have to bounce the light or diffuse it, your range is shortened. It is also advisable that the flash have a manual setting in case you want to do the exposure by yourself. A slave capability would also be nice, but not necessary.

Resources?
Any book would do I guess.

This is just barely scratching the surface.
I would say this though, though good gear is good. Good technique and good habits are better. You will change equipment in your lifetime. But you will be stuck with yourself for the rest of your life. Therefore, Invest in learning and improving yourself more. Even if the gear is expensive, you can always save up for it and get it eventually. But you cannot buy a better version of yourself.