What’s in the Pro’s Bag

As a pro still photographer specializing in commercial imaging, I’m witnessing a growing number of requests for hi-res video (4K) to accompany still photography imaging on many of our work assignments. Fueled by the Internet, both mediums are now heavily utilized for commercial ads and reader content on the web. We know going forward that the Internet will pound away and continue to gain more market share of the paper media organizations. According to the Pew Research Center, “In the U.S., roughly nine-in-ten adults (93%) get news online (either via mobile or desktop), and the online space has become a host for the digital homes of both legacy news outlets and new, “born on the web” news outlets. Digital advertising revenue across all digital entities (beyond just news) continues to grow, with technology companies playing a large role in the flow of both news and revenue. Just ask yourself, “Do you still subscribe to the morning paper or do you read printed news from your desktop or handheld device?

During the life of our careers still photography professionals have made a decent living working for the printed media establishments. We are now witnessing the end of that long era of printed media revenue. Perfect example, just this morning I read (online) about our local newspaper the “Tampa Bay Times” slashing 50 more jobs due to new tariffs that will cause the newsprint to skyrocket in costs.

Communication Technology has advanced and changed the way we get information. Our clients deliver instant news now with live web broadcasts, video ads and written articles to the palm of our hands 24-7.

So what exactly does that mean to a professional still photographer? Or a photographer just starting a career? Many pros see it as the beginning to the end of their career. While this may be true for some printed media staff photographers, I see it as a positive shift in our industry. Competition and demand will require photographers to be experienced in both formats, which in return will give us better flexibility, more assignment opportunities and a greater selection of experienced photographers. And with all the print media going the way of the Dodo Bird, professionals can help offset the lost revenue with a newer enhanced service making us more diverse photographers, which gives us a better competitive edge in our marketplace.

So, that brings us to the question, “Whats in my Bag?”

A decent professional camera (My Choice is the Canon 5D Mark IV) that does both stills and 4K video.
Accessories for video: a wireless mic, and headset for checking the sound quality
Lighting: Pair of Canon 600EX-RT Speedlights for stills. A 600LCD light panel for shooting Video
Canon L Glass. If you want good images you need more than jus a good camera. You need sharp optics. Wide: 16-35. 2.8 L lens, Medium 24-70, 2.8 L lens, Long: 70-200, 2.8 L lens.
Flash Head Bounce reflector and color correction filters