reidnebs24 Loc: Sandy, Utah

I have a Canon 70D and I was just wondering what you guys think I should get to help improve my photography and my photos? I am planning on getting a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 because I will be doing a lot of sports photography. What else do you think I could get to help me?

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Monopod

krashdragon

an art class in color and design.
or some photography books along those lines.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Have you considered a Nikon?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

You didn't tell us what other lenses you already have.
If sports (and family snaps) are all you will be doing then pair the 70-200 with an EF-S 18-135. If you wish to throw landscapes into the mix add the EF-S 10-18 or 10-22. All that would be left is a low light prime and maybe a macro if you get into bugs or other tiny things.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Check the bio info, an AP Photography student - that means high school.

Already has a Canon 70D, needs advice on lenses to use. Not be lobbied to change brand/systems.

tsilva Loc: Arizona

Practice! Learn your equipment! Find out IF you actually need new equipment.

Oh, and the greatest equipment in the world will NOT make you better if you don't understand light.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I'm pretty sure I read "IMPROVE", his photography!!! :lol:
SS

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

No serious lobby attempt was intended, just an impulsive first thought.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Just a few questions.

#1 Can you consistently get the "correct" exposure, in all lighting conditions?

#2 Can you get consistently sharp (when needed) images?

#3 Do you understand light? (as per the comment above).

#4 Do you understand the "rules" of composition.

#5 Do you know how to recognise "moments" and have the ability to capture them.

#6 Can you see images (have the "eye") even when you are not shooting?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Forgot, a book or two on basic photography. You can get them pretty cheap in e-book format, often with links to tutorial videos.
Most of the major ones are carried by both Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook. And both formats have free apps to read them with.

I have 3 on my Nook tablet:

Bruce Barnbaum - The Art of Photography (not showing now on nook but is on kindle for $20)

Tony Northrup's DSLR Book: How to Create Stunning Digital Photography (about $10 in both formats)

Brian Peterson - Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera ($15 in nook, doesn't appear to be in kindle)

I find myself going to Northrup more, to watch the linked videos. Since it is the only one on both formats, for about $10 I'll go with it.

If you don't have a Nook reader or a Kindle reader then go to Barnes and Noble on your tablet, laptop or desktop and download the free app for Android, Mac or PC as needed. Or, search on line for "Nook Study for *** the platform you need. It is free and is the app designed for textbooks (B&N runs the book stores and supply the e-texts for a lot of colleges and universities). It is what I use on my PC. It handles all parts of textbooks including linked videos and will keep more than one book open at once unlike e-readers which generally are one book at a time.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

I highly recommend Brian Peterson's book "Understanding Exposue". It's available in either electronic or print format.

reidnebs24 Loc: Sandy, Utah

Thanks for all the quick replies guys, I really appreciate it!
As to "Robertjerl" I have the EF-S 18-135 but that is my only lens.. For now. But I also love to take landscapes, so thank you for that suggestion of lenses.

And as to "Kmgw9v" I simply like the interface better. Not to say that Canon is better at taking pictures; nothing like that. But I've held Nikon's and they always seemed a bit 'cluttered' if that makes sense (they were older versions so that might have been the problem). Another reason is that, I simply don't have that money yet. I'll only be a Senior in High School next year so I don't have a really well paying job yet; and I've made it a commitment to pay for all of my photography stuff instead of pleading to my parents to buy me something if that makes sense.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Good for you. I retired from Los Angeles Unified School District after 34 years (counting student teaching and subbing for one year). I taught basic photography for one year in the 70's. You are lucky we are in the digital age of cameras. No limited number of shots like film, no chemicals and no dark room needed.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Practice. Thought. Less emphasis on gear and more on what makes a good photo.

And then more practice.