As we all know, being an award-winning photographer calls for a lot of time and effort. We have to attend countless photography classes, learn how to become more creative, and, most importantly, invest in a quality camera.
After discovering my enthusiasm for professional photography, I thought all I had to do was contact the best brand around and purchase a camera. It wasn’t enough. My first camera only lasted a year because I did not take good care of it. It was disheartening. I couldn’t meet my clients’ needs, and I eventually lost them. But I know better now. I was speaking to a friend of mine who is a fantastic Commercial Photographer UK and we were talking about the best ways to care for a camera. You may think they’re durable and hard-wearing but that’s not always the case!
Here are practical camera-care tips that I use to maintain the camera so that it lasts longer. Every professional photographer needs this advice.
Clean the Camera Lens and LCD Screen
I’m always extra careful when cleaning the LCD screen and lens of my camera. I could use many glass-cleaning products to do it, but I avoid them at all costs. They’d only damage the anti-glare coating on the camera lens. Instead, I head to my favorite camera store and purchase a special cleaning kit. It comes with a few microfiber cloths, brushes, and liquid solutions specifically made to clean digital camera lenses.
Suppose the microfiber cloth doesn’t remove all the smudges on my camera’s LCD screen. In that case, I look for a quality commercial LCD screen cleaner. It costs me some extra dollars, but it’s worth it. When my camera is in excellent condition, I can keep my clients happy.
Get a Camera Carrying Case
My high-quality camera bag enables me to protect my camera from damage, especially when it’s dusty or rainy outside. When I was buying it, I had to consider my equipment’s size because I needed to cover every part. I also confirmed that my camera carrying case had padding and zippers. Another of my camera bag’s features that I love is the movable padded dividers. I can use the available space to store other items.
One of the problems that I encountered when buying my camera bag was indecision. There were so many bags on the market, and I got confused. Which one was more durable, airtight, and could fit my small budget? Luckily, I checked out several reviews online and was able to make up my mind.
Check the Memory Cards
I realized that most photographers don’t bother to inspect their camera’s memory cards. It is a mistake. When memory cards go unchecked for long, dirt accumulates on the contacts. They might also be damaged and lead to corrupted photos.
When inspecting the memory cards, I confirm that the plastic still holds together. The front and back have to be intact. To ensure that the memory cards’ plastic housing lasted longer, I bought a protective case to store them at room temperature. It has been working because they have been in excellent condition.
Remove Camera Batteries
Whenever I go on a vacation, I leave my camera at home. Removing the batteries is something I must do before storing the equipment. The thing about batteries is that they are designed with lithium or alkaline formats. This means that after a while, they begin to corrode. Removing them means that I’ll find my classic camera in the excellent condition I left it in, and it makes me happy. I always advise my fellow photographers to use a pencil eraser to eliminate the corrosion caused by batteries being in a camera for too long.
Saying that taking care of one’s camera is a waste of time would be a lie. For me, it’s an effective way of protecting my investment and making sure that my career in photography advances. Professional photographers like me should find the tips above helpful.