Photography Materials List

In lieu of a textbook for this course, we have provided a list of materials for you to obtain in order to complete your hands-on assignments. Some of these materials you may already own or may be able to obtain from your school. Others you may need to purchase or order. Below you will see two lists: Required and Optional.

We strongly recommend that you read the entire syllabus and look through the materials lists early on in the class to ensure you have everything you need for each of the weekly assignments! 

Required Materials

  • A Digital SLR camera with Lens OR an SLR with Lens – This is a fine art photography course so this is a critical piece of equipment. You cannot take the course simply with the use of a phone or tablet. This can be either a Digital SLR camera or a 35mm SLR camera. You will experience the same level of success, whether you go traditional or digital in this course. What you do need to be mindful of, if you shoot with film, is the time to develop your images. As long as you plan ahead of time, and purchase the right kind of film, you can have your film processed quickly at select local businesses. Want the best of both worlds? You have the option of alternating between film and digital for the duration of this course. You will need access to your desired camera starting Week 2, Discussion Board 3.

Should you wish to purchase your own DSLR for this course there are a variety of makes and models great for beginners. Here is a helpful article which runs through some of the newest models to be reviewed in 2019.

Should you wish to purchase your own SLR for this course there are a variety of makes and models great for beginners. Here is a helpful article which runs through some of the film cameras still on the market.

Note: You do not have to purchase a brand new camera for this course. Consider looking into refurbished cameras. Or if you have a slightly older model in your possession you may certainly use it for this course, as long as your resulting images are of a decent quality. Don’t want to purchase a camera for this course? You can also borrow from a friend or family member. There are also a variety of local and national companies which host camera rental programs. You could rent one camera for the duration of the course, or trial several different kinds, and get the feel of different makes and models before investing long term. Following are some national camera rental companies. You may also consider looking for local camera shops around you as well who have rental programs:

  • Camera manual
  • A computer or tablet for basic photo editing software – a variety of free, and paid-for programs will be explored during this course. You are not required to purchase any paid versions of programming, however, you are encouraged to trial different offerings as you find your preferred digital workflow
  • Memory card (for DSLRs)
  • Charging stations/any additional cords that come with your camera body (for DSLRs)
  • 35mm Film (for SLRs) – at least 4 rolls. C-Processed is recommended for quicker development turn-around. Color or black and white is accepted.

Materials for Week 5, Discussion Board 6:

During Week 5 you will choose at least one of the following processes to explore. You are not required to purchase materials for all processes, but you are asked to gather/purchase items for at least one process of your choosing.

Digital Transfers –

Preview DB6 for the specific media that appeals to you, as you may not need everything listed below.

  • Images for transfer – transparency film (available for a variety of printers, including laser and inkjet), Xerox prints, etc. 
  • Ground for transfer – paper, wood, metal, fabric, etc. 
  • Medium – Gel medium, Mod Podge, nail polish remover, InkAid, Dass Pre-Coat, etc. 
  • Tape – Artist tape, masking, double sides, etc.
  • Scissors
  • Brush to apply medium
  • Pigment – pencils, paint, etc.
  • Sandpaper
  • Sponge
  • Bone folder (or other tools to burnish)
  • Paper Towels

Toning and Hand Coloring –

Preview DB6 for the specific media that appeals to you, as you may not need everything listed below.

Pinhole Photography –

  • Oatmeal container – or a similar container that can be made light sensitive on the inside (shoeboxes, purchased boxes, or you could create a box out of mat board)
  • Heavy duty aluminum paper
  • Black construction paper
  • Scrap cardboard or mat board
  • Scissors
  • Exacto blade
  • Tape (electrical tape works best
  • A pin (to create your pinhole)
  • Black spray paint
  • A photographic enlarger – necessary only if you choose to make negative images with your pinhole camera. You may choose to only submit negative images
  • Safe light – for installation in a space where you can load your pinhole camera with light sensitive paper and two process your paper. You need enough space to house four trays (developer, stop, fix, wash).
  • Light sensitive photography paper – 8” by 10” or similar recommended
  • Developer, stop bath and fixer chemicals
  • Four large trays – the size of the photo paper you purchase, or larger. This will hold paper and liquid, so they do not have to be very deep
  • Paper towels
  • Plastic gloves
  • Apron
  • Goggles – if you do not wear glasses, protective eye wear is recommended in instances of splash
  • A plastic table cloth – or other protective material for the surfaces you plan to work with

Sun Prints –

  • Sunprint paper (suitable for young students)
  • Transparency film (available for a variety of printers, including laser and inkjet). You can also have images printed onto transparency film at a local printer
  • Found objects
  • Glass or picture frame to flatten objects

Cyanotypes –

  • Cyantoype kit
  • Transparency film (available for a variety of printers, including laser and inkjet). You can also have images printed onto transparency film at a local printer
  • Watercolor paper – 8” by 10” or similar is recommended.
  • Large paint brushes – not to use for other purposes after cyanotype, so disposable brushes are recommended.
  • A mixing cup – not to use for other purposes after cyanotype, so disposable cups are recommended
  • Safe light – for installation in a small space when you are first applying the cyanotype chemical to paper. A bathroom or closet which has little to now light leaks work great.
  • A photo frame – to sandwich your emulsion with your large negative before exposing to light. A large piece of glass will also work nicely for this.
  • Paper towels
  • Plastic gloves
  • Apron
  • Goggles – if you do not wear glasses, protective eye wear is recommended in instances of splash
  • A plastic table cloth- (or other protective material for the surfaces you plan to work with

Chemigrams –

  • Light sensitive photography paper – 8” by 10” or similar recommended
  • Developer, stop bath and fixer chemicals
  • Four large trays – the size of the photo paper you purchase, or larger
  • Small bucket – for dirty brushes and other mark making materials
  • Paint brushes, and other mark making materials, such as cookie cutters, rubber stamps, texture plates, crayons, liquid wax and nail polish
  • Paper towels
  • Plastic gloves
  • Apron
  • Goggles – if you do not wear glasses, protective eye wear is recommended in instances of splash
  • A plastic table cloth – or other protective material for the surfaces you plan to work with

Chlorophyll Prints –

  • A variety of leaves – these need to be real green leaves
  • Transparency film (available for a variety of printers, including laser and inkjet). You can also have images printed onto transparency film at a local printer
  • A photo frame/piece of glass – to sandwich your leaf with your large negative before exposing to light. A large piece of glass will also work nicely for this.

Optional Materials

  • Tripod
  • Lens cleaning cloth
  • Spare battery
  • Memory card reader
  • Extra memory cards
  • Cable release/remote shutter release
  • Additional lens or lenses covering focal lengths from 18 mm to 200 mm
  • Flashes
  • Diffusers
  • Negative carriers (for film)
  • Print carriers
  • Binder to hold negatives and prints
  • Printer capable of printing high quality images, and photo paper – if you choose to print any of your original photography at home
  • Negative scanner – If you choose to shoot with film, you can also have the company that develops your film, scan your film