What's next?

[Lil Freek]

I'm still getting used to photography and I'm wondering what to get next in order to help me appreciate my new hobby. I've managed to over-save in the recent months and I've got about $300 I can spend without any guilt. I'm not a pro, by any means, I'm actually still learning but would love more tools to help me better-hone my skills :)

My current kit/setup is:
T2i (550D)
Battery grip + extra battery
18-55mm IS
55-250mm IS 4-5.6 (+lens hood)
Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Bag

The three things I figured would help me best are:

1. Tripod setup - Manfrotto 055XPROB + 488RC2 ($290)
2. External Flash - 430EXII would be ideal ($280)
3. Canon 50mm 1.8 and Gorillapod GP3 ($110 + $55)


I've borrowed my buddy's 50mm for a few weeks, and I do really like it, and it's a definite addition to the collection, at some point... but I'm not sure what'll help me best - tripod, flash or lens... or I should say, what order in which to get all 3 items.

Help?

[samismurf]

get the nifty fifty right away! battery grip are now being duplicated, check out on ebay, you can find one shipped to your house for 70$ :)

[Lil Freek]

Oh, I've already got the grip :) Everything I have was a kit I got directly from Canon Canada

I've actually decided on the tripod - just waiting for the components to go on sale :)

[Jaysmithphotos]

LIGHTING before anything else. It will make or break any photo

[Lil Freek]

I'm more interested in architechture and night photography versus portraits or anything, though.

My city has some pretty nice scenes, but I can't capture anything with my crappy, wobbly tripod.