TOP 6 Most Expensive Photography styles
My second TOP 6 video is about the most expensive photography styles out there in terms of gear used by professional photographers.
I had a hard time gathering the informations for this round up and I even got in touch with some photographers who are pro’s in their field. To make it more accurate I put myself in the shoes of a professional photographer with an unlimited budget for gear.
I went on Amazon and choose the best and most expensive gear that will be perfect for a particular photography style.
These are the TOP 6 Most Expensive Photography Styles.
1. Underwater photography
From what I have learned from my research, nothing beats the underwater photography in terms of prices. Besides buying an expensive camera and some amazing super pricy glass, you need cases, domes & ports. They also cost tons of money.
So for example just to buy the tool and all the extras for taking the photograph you will need more than 30/40K$.
On top of this you should add strobes, water resistant bags and cases, diving equipment which is also extremely pricy and much more.
Not to forget that you will need to have diving license and also own or hire a boat whenever you are out on the ocean.
2. Aerial Photography
I didn’t even think that this kind of photography can be extremely expensive. Besides spending tons of money on gear like cameras, lenses, drones – you also need to calculate the price of actually reaching the clouds.
Helicopter rides usually vary from 100$ to 200$ for ten minutes ride on popular touristic locations, such as flying over the Iguazu Falls in Argentina. But have in mind that this is a price of flying with a group of people.
If you would like to fly by yourself and go to places you desire, I reckon that the price will be 10 times higher or even more.
3. My number three is Wildlife photography.
Just to mention that I am not including the expenses of getting to certain locations.
I talked with a friend of mine who is a pro in this field and he was happy to share the value of his gear with me.
So, besides spending tons of money on glass and cameras, this style of photography has other big expenses such as camouflage clothes, guides, binoculars, camping gear and other extras that you will need during your time in the field.
My friend shared with me that often he needs to hire a “guard” while photographing wild parts of Africa. The protection is not against animals most of the time, but against poachers.
4. Freelance Photojournalism
The cost of Freelance photojournalism mostly depends on the places where you work. If you are for example on the field somewhere in Iraq or in Afghanistan, damaging your gear is an everyday thing.
Tough weather conditions can damage your lenses and also in conflict zones where unexpected shell can fall anytime, protecting your life by falling on the ground or running in crowds is a normal thing.
You always have 2 or 3 cameras hanging on your shoulders in the same time and this makes it even harder to watch out not to damage them.
It is very rare that you work two conflict zones with the same gear.
5. Event photography/Landscape
I wasn’t sure between these two styles, so I went on a fictional online shopping experience. Money weren’t spared and in the end the check out cart was more or less the same.
Both of the carts included similar lenses, filters, batteries, tripods and camera bodies.
Many would say that the event photography is more expensive, but I guess that they will calculate straps, gimbals, steady cams and extra lights. Which is necessary for video making, but we only talk about photography today.
In number 5 I would also place Sport Photography
6. Street/Macro
One very good lens, one body and you are done. Having a 35mm or a 50mm on your camera is more than enough for the next decade or two. I use my 50mm for 11years now and it works fine.
A photographer that I follow only works with the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 MacroG OSS and his Sony Alpha a7R III and his work is mind blowing!
I hope that you found this round up interesting and will stay tuned for more the next week.