architecture photography

[aaskyscrapers]

hello everyone,

i have been taking photos of homes/office buildings for realtors, land developers, etc. for the past year or so. I have become pretty good with my current techniques, but im always looking to improve.

below is a list of all my equipment. Am i missing anything that could improve my photography for either interior or exterior architecture photography?
my target customers are people looking for photography under $400 or so per property.
(i know i am missing lighting, maybe some suggestions please?)

Canon XTi
10-22mm Canon wide angle
tripod
remote
white balance cap (for indoor use)
polarization filter (for outdoor use)

i am looking to build a full arsenal of architecture photography tools.

[Bumgardnern]

I think that a 24mm T-SE could be a good lens for you. It is great for architecture. I borrowed one for an assignment this week and love it. I would share them but, I can't untill after they have been published.

You also might want some lights. Something like a 580EX or some studio lights either way can help out depending on your budget.

[Wilt]

A 24mm TSE on a FF body, or

a spirit level to level the camera in all directions, to eliminate the converging lines when a camera is not perfectly level when shooting

Monolights for main area illumination and some low powered slaves to place inside lamps for accent lighting

[PhotosGuy]

I agree. Some accent lighting would make a big difference in your interiors. Some are on the dull side & it's looking as if the lights there are affecting your exposures & making the furniture look a bit dark?
More on how the subject affects the exposure in Post # 47 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5191658&postcount=47)
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

[aaskyscrapers]

will a flash like the 580ex on my XTi affect the white balance of the photos? if so, how do i compensate? i use a white balance cap for my white balance

[opus13]

i am surprised to not see any stitched images on your site.. only super wide angle shots. for interior realty shots, stitched/wide views can mean a huge difference.

[aaskyscrapers]

i am surprised to not see any stitched images on your site.. only super wide angle shots. for interior realty shots, stitched/wide views can mean a huge difference.

is there a tutorial on this or information i could read? i have just been using my 10-22mm canon for everything. i never really considered the stitching, but it sounds intriguing.

[PhotosGuy]

will a flash like the 580ex on my XTi affect the white balance of the photos? Yes. if so, how do i compensate? You could put a gell on it.
Lighting 101: Using Gels to Correct Light (http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101-using-gels-to-correct.html)

Rosco Roscolux Swatchbook $0.01 at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=45189&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Consumable Products - "We carry gel from the top three manufacturers: Rosco, Lee, and GAM."
http://www.mainstage.com/Home.asp?ID=2 i never really considered the stitching, Stitching software?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=272118

[aaskyscrapers]

i dont understand, how does the gel work to correct the white balance?

(i am currently using a white balance cap)

[PhotosGuy]

how does the gel work to correct the white balance? Depends on what light you're WBing to. It can bring the strobe in to match that value, maybe the interior lights color, or give the strobe a different color as an accent light. You control the effect with the gel.

[Mick_I]

A 24mm TSE on a FF body, or

a spirit level to level the camera in all directions, to eliminate the converging lines when a camera is not perfectly level when shooting

Monolights for main area illumination and some low powered slaves to place inside lamps for accent lighting

What Wilt said! :D

[aaskyscrapers]

thanks photosguy!

do you think the 580ex II from amazon.com has the basic gels included? they seem to be hard to find online, most places are out of stock.

[PhotosGuy]

basic gels included Maybe very basic, like 1 or 2. Not enough IMO, and in cheap big sheets that can be cut up, I like a better variety. most places are out of stock. Google is your friend?
Theatrical gells (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=Theatrical+gells&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images) are heavier & better for that purpose as they won't wrinkle from the hot flash tube.