Equipment Bag | Alessandra Cave

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM - For bringing your subjects in closer. It may be a little intimidating at first, but shoot with it and you'll feel like a 'badass' shooter! :) Amazing portrait lens, great for events, sports, all around a fantastic dreamy lens. Worth the investment as a second lens because you'll use it frequently on assignments.

Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM - For feeling like you're part of the 'click'. Most photographers claim this is their favorite lens. It is sharp, small, light, inexpensive, fast and the image quality is great. I'm not a prime lens kind of girl, therefore I don't own one of these yet, although the versatility of it tempts me from time to time. I've rented it a bunch of times and played with it enough to recommend it, though. If prime is your thing, this could be your lens. Lovely depth of field effect.

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III - For mediocre results. As they say, 'you get what you pay for'. And in this case is true. This was my very first lens purchase, totally impulsive and without any research whatsoever. I learned my lesson. These days I always go to The Digital Picture for a thorough review before I purchase anything. I also rent rent rent all sorts of equipment to test for myself and see if it works for me personally, despite any recommendation. I highly encourage you to do the same.

FILM

120 Fujifilm - For hot days with the Holga.

600 Polaroid Film - For color play with the SX 70.

PX 100 Silver Shade - To remind myself that anything is possible! (SX 70)

TZ artistic - For a greenish yellowish vibe.

FLASH

Speedlite 540EX - Bought it but used it only twice. I usually leave it home. I'm a flash user, unless I'm shooting events.

STROBES & ETC FOR STUDIO SHOOT

This is an entire page on itself. But I can tell you that I like to use ProFoto light shaping systems whenever possible.

ACTIONS

Totally Rad - For that extra spice in your editing! I don't often use very stylized actions on my professional work, as I like to keep my images as natural as possible. But there are a couple of really handy actions that I use almost every time I retouch a picture (top secret! no... not really... perhaps a blog post sometime!). And then there are those days when I just want to have fun and add a vintage or grungy look and pretend that I'm working on a hip music video. For that kind of play combined with quality, you cannot go wrong with Rad Actions by Photoshop wiz Doug Boutwell. The tutorial videos are great too!

CAMERA BAGS

Ginger Epiphanie Bag - For a stylish life with a camera. I used to pout every time I had to take a good camera out on a stroll, because that meant no matter what I was wearing, I was going to look like a dork with my backpack. Now I can go out at any given day and nobody even remotely guesses all the treasures I'm carrying inside my bag. I highly recommend it. Check also the 'Epiphanie' lovely blog for updates and awesome giveaways.

Backpack - No glamour or style, but I must say... This little one has traveled around the globe with me and did not disappoint. It holds up to 2 camera bodies, 4 lenses, plus accessories. It's lightweight and the nicely padded on the shoulders.

CAMERA STRAPS

Funky Straps - Style and funkiness! Love my turquoise elephant strap.

ESSENTIALS

Earth Science Almond-Aloe Facial Moisturizer, SPF 15 - For everyday skin love and sun care. btw - I love anything Earth Science.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm - For a peachy shimmer.

Papaya Bliss water bottle - For keeping plastic bottles and waste to a minimum on my photo shoots.

Orbit Mojito Gum - For fresh conversation with my crew!

Hair clips and rubber bands - You can never have enough of those. They tend to disappear!

Sand - Inevitable

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That's it for now. Stay tuned for future sections on "Studio Shoot Equipment", "The Photo Assistant Bag", " Back up Styling Bag", "Back up Hair & Make up Bag."