Getting into camera work I

New daily series: "getting into photography/filmmaking" where I post about 2 topics about, well, getting into photography/filmmaking. Things I wish I knew, things I'm glad I learned, gear... etcetera...

Gear.

Smartphone enthusiasts will get salty about this, but ditch your smartphone and get an actual camera. Doesn't have to be the $8000 newest and greatest camera, but it has to be an actual camera. There's a lot of great deals on good cameras and lenses that won't break the bank that pump out amazing shots. I wish I never got hooked into trying to get the latest and greatest camera available. I am glad I have these tools in my belt now that I have some experience though, but If I could change anything it would be starting from used.

Lights.

Lights are 100% a must when you're getting into photography and/filmmaking. They are equally as important as your camera. And again, don't aim for the best name brand or the tippy top of the lighting world. You can get some great shots by even just controlling the lighting you have available to you, whether it's the lighting in the space you're shooting or sunlight, use it to your advantage. Some of my best shots I've taken were without the lights I've invested in. When it comes to these two worlds of camera use, the type of light matters. Strictly still photography is best served by strobe lighting where the light is a flash and requires tethering to your camera. Video and filmmaking requires continuous lighting where the light remains on to light a scene or set. You can use continuous light with photos, but you can't use strobes with video unless it's an artistic choice. Lighting is part of the trifecta of good production value.