Introduction

Digital photography is a young technology. A dozen years ago it was in its infancy, capable of only the crudest results. But its progress has been just as rapid as the rest of the digital revolution, and in the past year it's turned an important corner: the tools needed to fully realize its potential as a medium are now all in place and all at least relatively affordable. If I were starting in photography today and if I navigated the mine field in just the right way, I could put together a complete suite of tools for $4000 or $5000 that would all work without serious limitations and would all remain usable for years without the need for continual upgrading. This is serious money, but actually rather modest compared to many another pastime, such as boating or world travel.

If you happen to be in the enviable position of starting art photography today and are looking for serious tools at the lowest outlay, the following is my unabashedly idiosyncratic take on what to buy, including justifications. If you are a fellow enthusiast, your own what-to-buy list will almost certainly differ from mine, but reading mine may at least serve to help you organize your own thoughts in each area.