If after years of playing around with a camera at birthdays, weddings and bah mitzvahs, you want to become a digital professional then in all probability only two things might be holding you back. The first is the confidence in your talent and ability to capture what no one else sees. The second is having the right equipment and knowing how and when to use it. Since the first is very closely related to the second and can be achieved only with a great deal of practice, let's focus on helping you pick the right gear at the very onset.

Don't Think Expensive, Think Smart

Besides a camera, you should count a tripod and a cable release as essential equipment. Every time you click a photograph, there is bound to be some movement to the camera. To avoid this you can use a tripod, which helps keep the images sharp while cable release allows you to click the photograph without touching the camera.

Now for buying the right camera! The first thing you need to understand while short listing a camera is that when you become a digital professional, you need to be able to shoot at varying times and situations. In order to do this the body of your camera should be light and easy to hold. Though you may be using a tripod often, it is better to be prepared for all eventualities especially the candid ones. Digital cameras are now the mandate of the day and should definitely be your first preference. Check the resolution and the dynamic range, which refer to the number of pixels and the sensitivity to light, respectively. If the camera takes photographs with clarity across the entire image, and captures the light and dark areas without any distortion, then you have a winner.

With cameras you are more likely to get what you pay for. That is if you invest in a high-end camera, you will achieve better results - which is why you need to select a camera as per your subject matter. If you are shooting portraits in a studio then a low-end camera will suffice. For events and shooting at night, a mid range camera is a good option. But if you are shooting fashion, travel and moving objects then a 'top of the line' camera is what you need.

The quality of the photographs you take is directly related to the quality of the lenses you use. Take it for granted that when you become a digital professional, you will be called to use multiple lenses and therefore you should know the pros and cons of each type. Usually the longer the lens, the more likely it is for the picture to be shaky. But you can nullify this problem with a high shutter speed that should always be in direct proportion to the length of the lens. Telephoto lenses are a good option but apart from being costly, they are also heavy and require to be mounted on a tripod. That reduces the convenience and the spontaneity of the photograph. These can however be replaced with the cheaper and more convenient mirror lens, which is just as effective for the amateur photo-enthusiast. However a telephoto lens is a must-have for someone who wants to become a digital professional as the results you get are far superior. Using wide-angle and fisheye lenses also produces interesting results. You can experiment with these for dynamic visual effects.

While short listing the equipment you want to buy, you can also rent some of it from a photography store while you experiment. This helps you cut down on the cost of buying something that you might eventually find ineffective. Tying up with a store that lets you try out their equipment will also keep you informed of the latest technical developments, which will definitely be an added boon. And once you do have all your gear in place and actually become a digital professional, the trick to being successful is to exceed your customers' expectations. By doing this you will not only ensure that they come back for more, but that you stand out as an example in your profession.