Recommended Tools

Often, people ask what tools we use and recommend. Here is a list of hardware, software, and services that we use and stand by wholeheartedly.

If you have had complaints about any of these listed items, I would be happy to hear them and inform my opinion of them.

In the meantime, I hope that this offers you a starting point in the search for your ultimate set of photographic gear.

Please note that some links may be to affiliate programs while others may not. Either way, we only support products that we believe in.

We link to affiliate programs from which we receive a commission, this does not affect the price that you pay, or our opinion of the product or service, but it does help us to sustain this website.

Cameras for Beginners

Canon

Sony

Software For Photography

Software for Casual Photographers

Adobe Lightroom + Photoshop – The Photographer’s Package as Adobe calls it, is ideal for most photographers. Lightroom is relatively easy to use, while Photoshop may have a steep learning curve for some… This is only available as a subscription.

Luminar Neo – Skylum Luminar Neo is an easy-to-use, and lightweight program that can be used by most beginner to intermediate photographers… even some advanced photographers may choose to stick with it. Luminar Neo is available as a one-time purchase, or as a subscription, based on your needs.

Affinity Photo – Canva Affinity Studio 3 is a direct competitor to Adobe Photoshop (and it also has vector drawing and layout features built in). If you need to work with layers, create transparent backgrounds, create graphic designs for social media with text effects, or process panoramas, focus stacking, Fashion photography retouching, photo restoration, etc. then Affinity is a good choice. The best news is that Affinity Studio is completely free – Download it today.

Image Processing

Image Retouching

Focus Stacking

Video Production Tools

VPN