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What other Photography Gear do I need?

Hello, I'm new to photography and I currently have the K200D Pentax camera, a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens, a Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens, a Tripod, and carrying bag.

What else do I need and could you explain what I would use it for? Do I need any other lens? I see professionals carrying allot of lens with them. Also the camera has a built in flash, what does the higher grade flash do for you? Anything else I need to complete a good starters gear?

Congratulations on your new camera.

In my opinion you have all the equipment you need for now. Concern yourself with learning how to use what you have.

Start by READING & STUDYING the Owner's Manual for your camera.

These books will also help and make a good addition to your personal library:

"Understanding Exposure" and "Understanding Shutter Speed", both by Bryan Peterson.

"Digital SLR Handbook" by John Freeman.

"The Art of Digital Photography" by Joseph Meehan.

If you're interested in night or low-light, non-flash photography I recommend the FotoSharp ( http://www.fotosharp.com/ ) Day & Night Exposure Guide.

I also suggest subscribing to at least one photography magazine. My personal favorite is Shutterbug but you should read every one they have at the library and choose the one you like best.

Photography, like history or math or biology or chemistry, requires study. If you don't study, you fail.

I suggest buying a UV/Haze filter and a polarizer filter for both lenses. Your 18-55mm lens uses a 52mm diameter filter, the 70-300mm uses a 62mm diameter filter. Don't waste your money on cheap, no-name filters. Choose from Hoya, B+W, Heliopan, Tiffen. Buy the filters for your 18-55mm lens in a "thin" or "slim" mount. This prevents any problems with vignetting at 18mm - dark corners on your pictures.

The UV/Haze filter is to protect the front element of your lens. The polarizer is used to darken a blue sky and to remove glare/reflections from glass, water, snow, sand and painted metal - but not polished metal. You also need a lens cloth to keep your filters clean.

As you're learning to use your camera, avoid developing what I call the "machine gunner mentality" - take 300 pictures and hope a few are worth saving. I encourage what I call the "sniper mentality" - one exposure, one good picture. "Pictures are not taken, they are made." Ansel Adams. So slow down and actually think about the picture you want to make and how you can make it.

You'll probably hear a lot about depth of field. Here is a good tutorial site: http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/key=depth+of+field
Another good site is http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Learn to pay attention to the background as much as you do to your subject. Having trees or poles "growing" out of your subject's head or power lines "running" thru it isn't flattering.

Look at a scene from different angles. This does not mean tilting your camera. It means you should take a few steps right or left or sit down or stand on a bench or even lie flat on your belly - or on your back. Don't just stand there like a statue and shoot. Change your composition by zooming in or out. "Best wide-angle lens? Two steps backward. Look for the 'ah-ha' ". Ernst Haas.

You own a tripod. Use it whenever possible, especially for landscapes.

Always shoot at your camera's highest resolution.

Always use the lowest ISO possible.

Always think about the picture you want to make and how to make it.

What's in my Camera Bag (Lowepro Pro Roller x300) www.liveviewphotography.com

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