Photography Resources
Gear / Software / Accessories
MY RECOMMENDED TOOLS AND RESOURCES
The items and services on this page are photography resources that I use and strongly recommend to help you become a better photographer, artist, and entrepreneur.
The products and services here are critical for my photography and business.
Before you continue, I need to tell you that some of the links below are affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission if you should decide to make a purchase, but there is no extra cost to you.
In some cases, I can provide you with a coupon code to save you money compared to the retail price.
I don't let affiliate links cloud my judgment. In fact, there are some vendors that I removed from this list when I decided they were no longer worthy of my business or recommendation.
You can be sure that I won't steer you in the wrong direction just to make some money on the side.
If you appreciate the information that I provide, using an affiliate link to buy your photography resources helps me keep this site running and experiment with things so I can provide fresh information.
Software Tools
Adobe Creative Cloud
More than any other tool, the Adobe Creative Cloud tools are essential. Lightroom & Photoshop are the industry standard tools to organize and process your photos. There are other tools that I recommend, but they don't have the combination of resources, cloud connectivity, and educational support as the Adobe Creative Cloud.
There are a few different options, but my recommendation for most photographers is the Photography Plan that combines Adobe Lightroom Classic CC and Adobe Photoshop CC for the remarkable price of $9.99/month.
If you purchase Adobe Creative Cloud using my affiliate link, send your invoice number to me at [email protected]
Skylum Software
Luminar AI
Coupon Code: BEEM
$10 savings on Luminar and Aurora HDR. Look for the area to Enter the Promotional Code when you checkout to apply the coupon code.
Luminar Neo
Get my course on Luminar Neo for FREE when you buy using my affiliate link. Send your invoice number to [email protected] I'll verify the purchase with Skyum and grant access to the course.
Aurora HDR
Coupon Code: BEEM
$10 savings on Luminar and Aurora HDR. Look for the area to Enter the Promotional Code when you checkout to apply the coupon code.
Topaz Labs
Topaz Adjust AI
Save 15% when you use my coupon code: WBEEMPHOTO.
With one click, Adjust AI leverages the power of artificial intelligence to transform your photos into something incredible.
The AI-powered modes bring out colors, shadows, details, and more to make your photos as vivid as intended—all in one step.
Adjust AI includes enhancements to give you the ingredients you need to make your photos pop!
Topaz Denoise AI
Save 15% when you use my coupon code: WBEEMPHOTO.
DeNoise AI uses a fundamentally new approach called deep learning: after a lengthy process of learning from millions of images, DeNoise AI learned to accurately distinguish between real image detail and noise.
This allows you to denoise images while actually recovering important detail, something that would have been impossible just a few years ago.
Topaz MASK AI
Save 15% when you use my coupon code: WBEEMPHOTO.
Compared to Photoshop, Mask AI doesn’t need tedious brushwork to get a high-quality mask. And there’s no need to learn complicated icons and tools.
With Mask AI you only need to roughly outline your subject in blue, one click fills what you want to cut, one click fills what you want to keep, and press “Compute Mask”. It’s really that simple.
Topaz Gigapixel AI
Save 15% when you use my coupon code: WBEEMPHOTO.
Gigapixel AI helps you do a single thing very well: increase image resolution in a natural way. This is pretty hard to do.
Gigapixel AI’s neural networks train on a variety of images to understand how photorealistic detail looks. The AI image upscaler can believably increase resolution on a wide variety of different subjects and image types.
The results are often magical.
Topaz Sharpen AI
Save 15% when you use my coupon code: WBEEMPHOTO.
True sharpness is the lack of softness and blur. Traditional sharpening tools try to simulate this by just making edges brighter, but they don’t correct the actual source of the problem.
Sharpen AI works differently by targeting and reversing three specific types of blur to create much more natural results:
Motion, Focus, and Softness
Topaz Studio 2
Save 15% when you use my coupon code: WBEEMPHOTO.
Topaz Studio 2 has only one purpose: creative photo editing. This starts after you select your image and ends when you export your finished work. It’s designed specifically around the artisanal post-processing workflow of carefully crafting a single image to your vision.
It’s for creating works that push the bounds of your artistic vision; the few that you know you’ll look back upon in years as one of your best creations.
Lighting Equipment
Flashpoint/Godox Flashes & Strobes
I switched from Nikon flashes and Elinchrom strobes to using the Flashpoint/Godox lighting system. My old kit had lights that wouldn't work on the same triggers. The Flashpoint lights all communicate using the same radio trigger, they're less expensive and far more versatile. Having worked with the Flashpoint/Godox lights for over a year, I'm quite pleased and happy to recommend them to you.
If you only get one flash, make it the Flashpoint eVOLV 200.
This flash is 2 or 3 times more powerful than your typical on-camera flash at less than half the price. It comes with a fresnel lens and a bulb, which you can swap depending upon your need. There's also an accessory to use a round flash head for a nice spotlight effect. Like all of the Flashpoint lights I own, they include a built-in R2 radio receiver to trigger the lights – compatible across the entire line.
I have a pair of these lights. They easily fit into my camera bag when I need to travel light, yet combined they have the power of a strobe. The Li-Ion battery packs are long-lasting and you can get hundreds of flashes out of one charge.
While the same as the Godox AD-200, I recommend buying the Flashpoint brand from Adorama for US buyers, since that also includes a warranty that you won't get with Godox.
This is the most versatile flash I've ever owned due to its size, power, and flexibility.
Flashpoint XPLOR 600 Pro
This is my main studio portrait light. It works great on the included battery, but you can also buy an AC power kit. It's great indoors or on location. The default Bowens mount allows a plethora of light modifiers and it has a color-stable mode to maintain accuracy.
Flashpoint XPLOR 400 Pro
I bought a pair of these lights to use for some kicker or fill lights. They're still perfectly valuable as main lights, too. Only about a half-stop less powerful than the 600 Pro and have more mounting options, too. They also work great on location.
Flashpoint Zoom Li-ion Flash for Nikon
There are still some times when you need a small flash. Maybe something on-camera to bounce off a wall, or something small that you can hide to throw light on a wall or part of the background. It has a great Li-Ion battery.
Flashpoint/Godox Radio Transceivers
These two transmitters are available for different camera systems. Make sure you get the right version for your camera. The links I have here will default to Nikon. Look for the Compatibility drop-down menu on the product page if you need to get a version for Canon, Sony, or another model.
Flashpoint R2 Pro 2.4GHz Transmitter
This radio transmitter allows you to control your Flashpoint & Godox flashes remotely. It has five groups and 10 channels per group to avoid interference with other photographers using the same gear. It enables high-speed sync. The TCM button allows you to use TTL to get your base exposure and then convert it to manual settings so you don't have to worry about the power changing from shot to shot.
Flashpoint R2 Pro MarkII 2.4GHz Transmitter
The Flashpoint R2 Pro Mark II is an Adorama exclusive item.
It does everything the previous version did but adds more buttons for those who like a quick touch interface.
It also works with a smartphone app via Bluetooth to control your lights.
Stands and Grip Gear
Matthews 40″ Pro Century C Stand Kit
There are a lot of variations on C Stands. I found that the Matthews 40″ Pro Century C Stand Kit works best for my lighting needs. It supports up to 22 pounds, which is much more than I ever place upon it.
C stands are much more useful and sturdy than the average collapsable light stand. The turtle base allows you to put the weight of the extension arm over the largest leg to prevent it from tipping over.
I tend to reach for my Matthews C Stand instead of my Avengers stand, so this is the one I recommend.
Manfrotto 244RC Variable Friction Magic Arm
Use it as another alternative to a tripod, or as a light stand. The Magic Arm allows you to get a solid arm with just a twist so you can aim your camera or a flash where you need it. I've used this in museums and other places that prohibit tripods. Combine it with a Superclamp to grip on rails and poles.
Manfrotto 035RL Super Clamp
The Manfrotto Super Clamp with a standard stud combines with the Magic Arm to create a vise-like grip that attaches to rails, light stands, or polls. Put this with the Magic Arm in your bag and you have a lot more freedom to angle your camera or flash than you would on a regular light stand or tripod.
Manfrotto 1004BAC 144″ Air Cushioned Aluminum Master Light Stand
Don't make the mistake I made. Cheap light stands suck and let you down. They aren't all the same height, which means that you may come up short when you need to put a roll of seamless paper up high. While I still prefer a C Stand, sometimes your budget prefers a light stand. This is the best one I've found.
