Kaylee, a model for a recent photo shoot with a reflector in front to bounce in light. Kaylee was also the model for a photo pack of mine on Gumroad: Kaylee Contemporary – You can see more of her modeling images on her Instagram

I recently taught a little workshop in my studio and the focus of it was generating stronger compositional studies. As a part of that, we focused a lot on taking better photos. After the workshop, I put together a list of the gear I used during the workshop and I thought I would share it here as well:

Cameras

My camera has been updated to the Sony a6600 now but the model I have, which is older, is the Sony a6500. The a6400 is also a wonderful camera. The big advantage of the a6600 is that it has in-body image stabilization which will let you take better handheld shots in lower light when not using a tripod or a flash. It also has a better battery giving you twice as many shots.

Sony a6600 – https://amzn.to/3FjZS6H

Sony a6400 – https://amzn.to/322zFLu

Both of these cameras are crop sensors (APS-C) if you want to get recommendations on a full-frame camera I have some recommendations. Your price will start closer to $2000. I have mostly Sony gear, but I have shot with both Canon and Nikon. You can’t go wrong with either of those. Fujifilm and Pentax also make some nice cameras. I have found that the Sony system works really well for me and when I bought my camera the a6500 was the perfect combination of size and performance for the money. I have just upgraded to the Sony a7 IV but it hasn’t shipped yet. I will do a post/review of it when I receive it.

Lenses

You’ll also want protective UV filters for any lens you get. They are cheap, by comparison with your lens, and can save your lens with a drop or from things damaging the lens itself and they are one more barrier to dust working its way into your lens.

Sony SEL5018 50mm 1.8 – https://amzn.to/3osUrLL – This is a fantastic lens. Great, versatile focal length. You can use this for photoshoots, portrait, capturing artwork, photographing in museums and landscapes. It it very sharp. If you only bought one lens, I would get this one.

Filter – 49mm – https://amzn.to/3DiKnuW

Sigma 24-70 f2.8 Art – https://amzn.to/3nb1xFf – This is the lens I had on my camera for most photoshoots. Excellent quality, fast focus and opens up to a large aperture handy for lower light. Very sharp all around. This link also comes with a LaCie 1TB external drive and SD card. Nice products and value.

Filter – 82 mm – https://amzn.to/3qCZU5e

Sony SEL90M28G – https://amzn.to/3owDQGQ –  this is a great lens if you are wanting to take close-up photos of bugs, flowers or your art. Macro lenses are made to have a very small minimum focus distance. It can also take great portraits and really whatever you’re wanting to capture.

Filter – 62 mm filter – https://amzn.to/3kBNnv0

 

Flashes

Neweer 2 light kit – https://amzn.to/3Fj52zx – Includes reflectors, stands and softboxes. I haven’t used this exact kit, but I have used this brand and would give it a try. Also comes with trigger and remote

Neewer portable 2 light kit – https://amzn.to/3DgGeb9 – This is the kit I have and this one comes with umbrellas and softboxes as well as the triggers and remote for your camera. Does not come with stands.

Stands for above kit – https://amzn.to/3Fj52zx

Color gels for the Neewer lights – https://amzn.to/3wPuvh5 – I would recommend getting the Paul C Buff (link below) gel holders for these and cutting them to fit. It will prolong their lifespan.

 

Paul Buff Lighting setup (a little more rugged lights, more pro-level gear, albeit entry-level)

 

 

Additional gear

Tripod

Trigger Grip Tripodhead  – https://amzn.to/31RvF08 – this looks just like the one I have, but a different brand name

 

5 in 1 photo reflector disc – https://amzn.to/3DlpSOj 

Small rig Magic Clamp and ball head – https://amzn.to/3Dkn0kE – These are the clamps that I use to hold the wings and horns and whatever else I need to hold in place.

Dual camera mount tripod bracket for mounting the Magic Clamps –  ​https://amzn.to/3cegj86 – You’ll also need a couple of wingnuts from the hardware store to go on the bottom of the bolts to secure them. Something like this: https://amzn.to/3ccNSau

 

Brushes

Essential Set – https://www.rosemaryandco.com/howard-lyon-essential-set?u=138ed1 

Companion Set – https://www.rosemaryandco.com/brush-sets/howard-lyon-companion-brush-set?u=138ed1

 

Paint Gear

 

Gamblin Varnish Brush – https://amzn.to/3DbRi9j 

Gamblin Gamvar Gloss – ​​https://www.dickblick.com/products/gamblin-gamvar-varnish/?fromSearch=%2Fsearch%2F%3Fq%3Dgamvar%2520gloss

Winsor & Newton Giffen Alkyd White – https://www.dickblick.com/items/winsor-newton-griffin-alkyds-titanium-white-200-ml-tube/ – Super fast drying white. I like this for when I need my painting dry the next day

Oleogel – fantastic medium for glazes and oiling out an area that is sunken in – https://www.naturalpigments.com/oleogel.html 

Lead Alkyd Ground – https://www.naturalpigments.com/lead-alkyd-ground.html#:~:text=Rublev%20Lead%20Alkyd%20Ground%20is,rigid%20supports%2C%20such%20as%20hardboard.

Artefex – Beautiful painting panels – https://www.artefex.biz/

BEVA Film for attaching linen – https://www.talasonline.com/Beva-371-Film

For the ACM panels, I have used OmegaBond, DiBond, Alumanate and Alumalite. The last one is the thicker, 6mm corrugated panel. The others are the solid core 3mm panels

ArtFix linen – https://www.jerrysartarama.com/artfix-belgian-linen-canvas – I love the 84C. EXPENSIVE, but nothing else like it.

Programs I use

Blender – free and for Mac or Windows – https://www.blender.org/download/ 

Procreate – for iPad

Photoshop

Lightroom

Nomad Sculpt – for iPad – for sculpting 3D models. I use this with Blender. I make the simple model in Blender and then import it into Nomad to sculpt it.

Thank you! I hope that you found this useful and that it opens up some other tools for you to use in your own artistic efforts!

Howard Lyon