Specifications

In lieu of a gray card, a photographer might use a plain white paper or object instead to target the

custom white balance. This can be perfectly OK, when working without a gray card, however,

remember that the white object or paper is probably an off-white color and may have a blue or yellow

tint to it.

A gray card can be less than $10 and is highly recommended for your photography kit. Additionally, if

you are into more serious shooting or desire the most accurate colors possible, then you will want to

invest in a more advance color balance kit, such as this, which includes software to calibrate your

computer monitor. Computer monitor calibration is VERY important when photo editing or designing,

for the same reasons as attaining the white balance. If you start editing with incorrect color calibration,

then obviously all your color corrections will be off right from the start.

This gray balance card is $16 and has three cards; black, white, and gray, plus an attached string for easy

carrying.

Tripod

A tripod is a customary accessory for every photographer. While I have a great tripod, however, I rarely

use it for my photography business. Some of the situations in which you would want to have a tripod

include shooting products or other inanimate objects or if you need to use your camera’s autotimer in

order to set the camera and run into the photo yourself! You can get a nice, lightweight yet sturdy

tripod for around $20-40.

Light Reflector Disc

Light reflection discs can be crucial and complimentary to your photography in order to manipulate light

or sunlight.

For example, you may be shooting a portrait outdoors and the sun is casting a shadow on one side of

the subject’s face. You can use a light reflection disc to “bounce” light from the sun and onto the unlit

portion of the face. You can add light to areas where there wasn’t any before, and you can also use

reflector discs to soften light.

There are five colors of light reflection surfaces - white, gold, silver, translucent, and black. Each of

these surfaces alters light differently.

White will bounce soft white light, gold will cast warming tones, silver is to create light “highlights”, and

both translucent and black surfaces are meant to dim or completely block light.

Most light reflector discs will have two or more of these surfaces in one and discs are available in varying

sizes. A small, portable 5-in-1 light reflector disc with a carrying bag is great for shooting on the go. It

has all five colors by using the reversible reflector cover “skin” and the small carrying case is perfect for

transporting.

If you were shooting in-studio however, you might want larger, rectangular reflection discs especially if

when people are your subjects. These large reflection discs are great for shooting on the beach as well,

which help to block the wind in addition to softening the strong sun rays.