This is a collection of pieces of advice to make your everyday photos more enjoyable to look at; a little more with every post. These are only bits which do not claim to be complete, but are rather all you need to know at that moment.


I assume my readers are non-professionals who are interested in capturing their memories in the way they have experienced them, instead of how their camera device automatically suggests an output, thereby speaking of using anything from a mobile phone to an auto-set DSLR.

About the author: I am Mareen Fischinger, a professional photographer, living and working in Düsseldorf, Germany.

You are welcome to ask snpsht a question! (Please check your spelling...)
If you would like to submit posts to the site, you can do so via this form.
(Please note that I know nothing about certain camera models and do not see myself in a position to give any shopping advice.)
February 16

profoundmonkey asked: Hi Mareen, I'm thinking of buying an entry-level DSLR camera, most probably the Canon 550D. Are there any accessories that in your opinion are must-haves - filters, prime lenses, other add-ons,etc? This will be my first DSLR camera, so any advice would be great!

Lenses: If you want to stick to one lens for the beginning, the standard kit lens (around 17-85 mm) should be good.
I always recommend getting the 50 mm f/1.8 made by Canon and Nikon for under 100 €/$. It is great for close portraits, for a funky bokeh and great under darker circumstances. Also, shooting with a fixed length will challenge you more to move around.

Filters: A skylight/UV/haze filter matching the diameter of your lens(es) is great against scratched glass. Imagine you bumbing into a table corner or a kid touching the fine glass surface with greasy hands. If a filter like this breaks, you can just replace it. Plus, it keeps dust away from the inside of your lens (sort of).

Card reader: Not a must, but I have found it to be a way more convenient to have a card reader via USB. It keeps you from worrying about camera connection problems, using the battery, fiddling with camera-to-computer settings and you can shoot while your other card is being read.

One more advice: Shoot in RAW format from day one. You will be so happy once you »understand« why.

Hope this helped.
If you are planning to shoot something in particular, I might have more advice.