January 24, 201412 yr Hello I would like to know what is considered to be the essential (and good to have non-essential!) equipment needed for web graphic design. Also for photographs, is there a particular camera that shines that's priced reasonably for someone starting out. Many thanks Jem
January 24, 201412 yr For graphic and image editing there are many solutions... http://www.pl32.com/ http://www.photofiltre-studio.com/news-en.htm http://www.getpaint.net/ http://www.serif.com/photoplus/ ...to name a few...
January 24, 201412 yr Also for photographs, is there a particular camera that shines that's priced reasonably for someone starting out. Many thanks Jem If you seriously want to learn about photography you are probably best off going with a DSLR (or Sony calls them DSLT but it's the same thing really just a different design and with an electronic viewfinder) or a compact system camera because they have bigger sensors which give you better image quality - particularly in low light. I use Sony cameras but I kind of hesitate to recommend them - not because there is anything wrong with them at all, but I've had years of hanging around (on line) with photographers who mainly use Nikon or Canon. If I wasn't a Sony user, I'd go with Nikon. Whichever make you go for, as you build up a collection of lenses it is harder to switch to a different make because the lenses aren't compatible. To some extent Sony gives you more for your money. I have the entry level Sony A58 and I really like it although it's build quality feels a bit lightweight. It is really affordable and the image quality is fine as far as I'm concerned. The Sony NEX cameras have comparable image quality as they have the same sized sensors as the SLT's. They have their own lenses though. Much smaller and more portable but fewer buttons.
January 24, 201412 yr In some ways, the lenses are as important, if not more important than the camera bodies. The kit lens that comes with the camrea isn't top quality. So then you have to buy another one, and another, and maybe it would be fun to get a macro lens, and it just goes on like that And then there are flashes...
January 25, 201412 yr In some ways, the lenses are as important, if not more important than the camera bodies... Hi Jem, +1 to what Jane B says about lenses - they ARE more important than the camera body itself. It will also depend on what category of photography you what to focus on (paron the pun), ie. landscape, portraits, macro etc. as to what lenses you might choose. An entry level DSLR from Nikon or Cannon should suffice (and come with a basic lense). Go full frame if you can afford it. Also as already pointed out, once you pick a brand and invest in some expensive glass, you are pretty much stuck with it as the lenses aren't cross compatible. In regards to software - for bitmap editing: GIMP or you can download a free legacy version of Adobe PhotoShop CS2. http://www.techspot.com/downloads/3689-adobe-photoshop-cs2.html Which is more than adequate for creating web elements and photo retouching. For vector based drawing, I use Adobe Illustrator. A free vector editor is Inkscape: http://www.inkscape.org/en/ Having 2 monitors is also handy. That way you can do your coding in one and view the results in the other - less clutter. Cheers, Steve.
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