This is the device you will use to actually capture your image. There are a whole range of cameras available on the market today, from tiny pieces of pastic inside your cell phone to huge SLRs with complex glass lenses capable capuring images miles away at huge resolutions.

What kind of camera is right for you?

First, as with all advice from Production-Now.com: Start with what you have. My best friend has taken some amazing pictures on a small pocket camera that rival the ones he has from his really expensive camera. I have even heard thatAnsel Adams was once given a disposable camera to see if it was the photographer or the camera that made the picture. Apocryphal as it may be, Mr. Adams went out and took some of his most beloved pictures that day. As we've said over and over again: These are tools for you to use; they do not do the work for you.

Second: What is your skill level? If you're just starting out get a midrage camera you can afford with the most manual controls you can find. If you are ready to move beyond this point, get a camera with a removable lens. After that, you should be able to tell what it is you need.

Third: Go digital. You certainly don't have to, but that's what I recommend. It has the fastest and most inexpensive workflow. Sounds good to me.

What accessories do you need?

That's completely up to your skill level and what you want to do. Again, if you don't know how to use the tools you already have, you won't be more productive just because you have more junk.

Some nice things to start out with would be a bounce card (a white piece of foam core from an art store will do just fine), extra batteries, a second memory stick (or more rolls of film) and a UV lens (if you have a camera that can support such a thing). Other than that, hold off until you have the need.

So, you have a camera, let's move on to Composition.