Blogging

My blog photography equipment

blog-photography

blogging-photography-tipsLast time I talked about my blog photography equipment was about two years a go.

Over the last couple of weeks I must have received at least 15 messages asking about my camera, lenses, editing software, etc.. Which is why today, I decided to write a quick post, all about my equipment.

CAMERA

I have two cameras, but I primarily use my Canon 70D. It was a little upgrade from my 60D and unlike the the older model, 70D has auto focus which works great with filming videos (even though I haven’t filmed in a while, I know that this camera is amazing for creating videos). It also has a full manual mode in video and records in HD. It has a flip screen which works great when taking photos from different angles.

LENSES

I never use my kit lens anymore, mainly because I like my photos bright but our home isn’t very photography-friendly and the kit lens isn’t the best for taking bright pictures. One of my favorite lenses is Canon 50 mm f/1.4; Canon 50 mm f’/1.8 also known as the “nifty-fifty” is pretty awesome (and affordable!) too. Both of these lenses are fixed, meaning they do not zoom in or out, so that means that you have to put in the work but getting closer/further from your subject. Both have large aperture which means that they let in a lot of light for an exposure- which means that both are great for taking bright photos. Another must-have lens for me is Canon 40mm f/2.8 also called the “pancake” lens. It’s small and compact, which makes this an awesome lens for taking outfit photos. It’s also affordable, quick and sharp. None of these lenses work great for close-up- that’s where I use my Canon 18-55 f/3.5 (which is a very old lens that came with one of our old Rebel cameras, but still works great).

LIGHTING

I mention the importance of using natural light in pretty much every single one of my photography posts. As much as I’d love to be able to use natural light at all times, sometimes it’s just impossible. That’s when I use my Ring Light and/or my Soft Boxes. My ring light comes especially in handy when taking mascara swatches, etc. It’s no longer sold from the place I got it, but you can find a similar one right here.

TRIPOD & WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROLLER

Tripod is another must-have for me. I don’t use it every single time I take blog photos but I always have it handy. It helps to keep the camera steady (obviously) and take sharper photos. This Wireless Remote Controller is another little tool I can’t go without.

EDITING SOFTWARE

For the longest time ever I’ve used PicMonkey but last year I upgraded to Photoshop. Now that Photoshop offers monthly subscription, it’s definitely much more affordable for everyone.  It might be a little intimidating at first, but there are so many wonderful tutorials on YouTube I learned quite a few tricks within a week. I’m also a huge fan of A Beautiful Mess blog and have purchased their Photoshop Actions and let me tell you that they’re worth every penny. I use them every single time I edit images for my blog. I can’t recommend them enough!

REFLECTOR

My reflector is a life saver. Working with limited light can be a nightmare at times and this reflector really helps me to get my images to look bright and it also gets the light to distribute evenly. It’s one of my most-used photography tools (other than my camera ;) ).

blog-photography-equipment-thirteen-thoughts

1.Canon 40 mm f/2.8; 2. Tripod; 3. Canon 70D; 4. Adobe Photoshop CC; 5. Canon Wireless Remote; 6. Canon 50mm f/ 1.4; 7. Soft Boxes; 8. 5 in 1 Reflector.

Also, for those of you who don’t know, few months a go I created a Blogging Resources section where you can find answers to most of your questions about things like my equipment, hosting, favorite WP plugins,  etc.

68 Comments

  • Reply
    Biana Perez
    March 2, 2016 at 8:43 am

    Pinning this post because your photos are the BEST!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston

  • Reply
    Dagmara Klich
    March 2, 2016 at 8:51 am

    Your photos are always beautiful! And if I’ve learnt a thing or two about photography in the last few months it was from your posts so thank you! I don’t think I will be able to upgrade my older Nikon any time soon but I am trying to improve different aspects of my blog photos :) x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 3, 2016 at 5:48 pm

      That’s so nice to hear Dagmara, thank you so much! I think your photos are gorgeous and I don’t think you need a fancy camera to take gorgeous photos ;)

  • Reply
    Amanda Elizabeth
    March 2, 2016 at 9:40 am

    I agree that when switching to photoshop it really makes a big difference with editing. I need to look into those filters from a beautiful mess, your photos are always so pretty!

  • Reply
    missgetaway
    March 2, 2016 at 10:12 am

    Oh I absolutely love these kind of posts. Most people seem to prefer lightroom to photoshop these days. I, however, also do use Picmonkey at the moment – really need to start using a better program though :D

    Love, Kerstin
    http://www.missgetaway.com/

  • Reply
    Emma Louise
    March 2, 2016 at 10:43 am

    I need a reflector, it sounds perfect! I use my camera and i have a light box too.
    Emmy | Emmys Beauty Cave | Bloglovin

  • Reply
    Isabelle Goodall-Munroe
    March 2, 2016 at 10:49 am

    YAY! Bookmarking this because your photography is my favourite! I’m now going to check out all of your photography posts and educate myself!

    Isabelle | http://www.isabellekategm.co.uk ♡

  • Reply
    Olivia Alesha
    March 2, 2016 at 11:34 am

    I really want to use Photoshop for editing as it sounds so good! I currently use PicMonkey or AutodeskPixlr but want to up my photo editing with Photoshop.

    -Olivia Xx

    http://oliviaxalesha.com/

  • Reply
    Kate
    March 2, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    I love love love these posts from you Paula! So helpful. I’m always keen to learn as much as I can about photography and editing. I recently got a tripod and it’s fantastic. Proper lighting is next on my list! x

    Kate Louise Blogs

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 3, 2016 at 5:58 pm

      Thank you so much Kate!! If you can make use of natural light, definitely try take advantage of that! :)

  • Reply
    Hannah McDonnell
    March 2, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    Such a fantastic post! I think it is so great of you to share your secrets for other bloggers to succeed! Thank you!

    glamlifeliving.com
    Hannah
    Glam Life Living

  • Reply
    Aisling | AislingsBeautyBytes
    March 2, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    Ohhhhh this was super helpful thank you! I definitely need to pick up a tripod soon, I don’t think a pile of books is going to cut it much longer
    Aisling | Aislings beauty bytes

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 3, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      You’re welcome Hon! Haha I used to use a pile of books back in the day too! :) It did the job, most of the time :)

  • Reply
    Katie Wright
    March 2, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    This is so helpful, thank you!

  • Reply
    Kim Petersen
    March 2, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    I have been considering getting a tripod and remote and you just convinced me. Thank you for always being so open about everything you use and how you take your pictures, you are amazing at photography and it’s a huge help to us who struggle. Hope you are having a great week gorgeous! XO -Kim

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 3, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      Aww thank you so much Kim, you’re so sweet. You’re so welcome, it always gives me such pleasure to share my little tips and tricks ;)

  • Reply
    Ambar Syed
    March 2, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    Lots of photography bits and bobs – this is very helpful, thank you :)
    – Ambar x
    http://www.herlittleloves.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Alexandra L
    March 2, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    Thank you for this post ! I started my blog a month ago and I have some difficulties to have nice pictures !
    Alexandra
    http://littlefrenchblog.blogspot.fr

  • Reply
    Ela BellaWorld
    March 2, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    As I always say, your photos are amazing and they look so sharp! I will be purchasing soft light box and reflector asap. Also want to get a new lens for close up photos, I only have one that I use for blog photos. Tripod is saviour, I don’t know what I would do without it :)

    Ela BellaWorld

  • Reply
    Linda
    March 2, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    Such a helpful post! Definitely needed this!

    http://www.llindatt.com

  • Reply
    Nereyda Gonzalez
    March 2, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    I want a tripod and remote! Those are next on my wishlist :)

    Nereyda│ This Girl Is Obsessed

  • Reply
    Abigail Alice
    March 2, 2016 at 7:18 pm

    I really love my 50mm lens but haven’t tried out a 40mm lens but would love to try it out and see how it works for me. Great post!

    http://abigailalicex.com

  • Reply
    Nevena
    March 2, 2016 at 9:42 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing! Love your blog :) x

    http://msznev.blogspot.com.au

  • Reply
    Chelsey Thornton
    March 2, 2016 at 9:58 pm

    I have a canon T5i as the 70D was out of my price range when I was looking. It’s been less then a year since I had my camera but I am such a techie that I already want to upgrade, terrible know. This is such a great run down though on a lot of stuff. My next purchase will be a lens and then a ring light.

    Chelsey | http://www.chelseythornton.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 10, 2016 at 2:37 pm

      Don’t feel bad, I traded in my 60D for the newer 70D as soon as it came out haha. The autofocus does make a huge difference though. I’m definitely keeping this one for a while! :)

  • Reply
    The Sunday Mode
    March 3, 2016 at 2:11 am

    Such a helpful post Paula. I never used to understand why people bought all of these different lenses but the more I learn about my camera, the more I can see the need for them!

    http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

  • Reply
    Laura Kroczek
    March 3, 2016 at 2:46 am

    I love your pictures (don’t know how many times I’ve already told you that, haha) ! My next purchase will definitely be the Canon 50mm lense, I’ve been eyeing in for a while and now it’s time to finally get it :) xx

    Laura // get-ready-with-laura.blogspot.de

  • Reply
    Kiss & Make-up
    March 3, 2016 at 3:24 am

    Your equipment is clearly WAY more professional than mine. I have a camera. That’s it, lol.

  • Reply
    Samantha Frances
    March 3, 2016 at 3:51 am

    The canon 70D sounds amazing! Such a helpful post! :) xxx
    http://www.samanthafrances.co.uk

  • Reply
    Conor Rees
    March 3, 2016 at 5:56 am

    The 70D seems to be the go to camera for most creatives this day and age http://www.99percentlifestyle.com/

  • Reply
    Kate Nicholas
    March 3, 2016 at 11:18 am

    I wish I had this guide years ago! A great insight into how to improve the quality of photos & your blog. Ive purchasing a box light & reflectors as i type! Thank you xo

    katevictoriaxo.co.uk
    ps im hosting a Lush giveaway right now!

  • Reply
    Kathy
    March 3, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Your photos are definitely amazing!! Everyone seems to love Canon cameras and I wish I had bought a Canon instead of a Nikon just because the lenses seem to be more popular :)

    Kathy xx
    http://www.alongcamekathy.blogspot.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 10, 2016 at 2:46 pm

      I have a Nikon too! I love it, but it’s a little outdated and more bulky than my Canon. I think Nikon’s are awesome too. :)

  • Reply
    SavBanav
    March 3, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    Your photos are always soooo beautiful, Paula! Unfortunately, I can’t find the charger for my camera, so I have to make do with my phone camera which fortunately is pretty good. I have to use reflectors of some kind too, especially when it’s dark out.
    Thank you for your lovely tips!

  • Reply
    Guest
    March 3, 2016 at 11:16 pm

    Your photos are absolutely stunning, and your photography posts are super helpful. I’m learning so much thanks to you!

  • Reply
    Charlotte
    March 4, 2016 at 6:40 am

    thanks for sharing your photography secrets :)

    Charlotte Harvs | Blog

  • Reply
    Chaste and Beautiful
    March 4, 2016 at 5:36 pm

    Tripod comes very handy when taking pictures and the reflectors as well.

    Chaste & Beautiful

  • Reply
    Jess | The Indigo Hours
    March 6, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    I’ve just treated myself to a similar reflector and it’s made such a difference to my photos, especially as it’s been so dull and barely getting light lately! Fab post :)

    Jess xo | The Indigo Hours

  • Reply
    Classy On The Run
    April 15, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    I just ordered the cannon 50 mm lens. This post was super helpful! Light boxes are next on my list :)

  • Reply
    Ashlee Battaglia
    April 19, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    a really great post!! I have been really working on my photo skills as well as editing them. I was recommended by a friend to use picmonkey, which is great and have been using that. I’m definitely going to check into photoshop. I feel there is so much picmonkey doesn’t have. I have not invested in a good camera, just using my IPhone 6s. All of your pictures are so beautiful! I’m thinking its time to invest in a camera!!

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