Real Estate

[BlindRacer]

I need some serious critiquing. I want to know anything at all on how I can improve. Be harsh, be very harsh. Only way I'll learn.

First off, I know that these rooms aren't prepped. I had family running around, the dog eating outside, my daughter wanting me to hold her...so I just took these shots as the house was.

I also know it's not some jewel of a house with beautiful architecture, so keep the comments on technique and less on subject matter (unless it pertains).

Thanks in advance for all your help.

All Photos taken with 50D, 10-22mm lens (mostly between about 10-12mm range), ISO 100, I think F/8, and all are multiple exposures using available light merged with enfuse, and additional PP done in Photoshop CS4

#1
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z307/quiktaco/EntryFinalsmall.jpg

#2
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z307/quiktaco/FinalOutsidesmall.jpg

#3
Hall Bath (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z307/quiktaco/FinalHallBathsmall.jpg)

#4
Living Room (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z307/quiktaco/FinalLivingRoomsmall.jpg)

#5
Master Bath (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z307/quiktaco/FinalMasterBathsmall.jpg)

#6
Front Porch (http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z307/quiktaco/FinalPorchsmall.jpg)

[Motif Images]

Angles look good, but you need to tone down the brightness. Adding a little contrast will work better for you. Keep up the good work!

[BlindRacer]

Thanks. I was wondering if I had them too bright. I'll try adding some contrast to them.

What about where I cropped them? Do they looks good? Do I need to crop any a bit more?

Do you think I should up the saturation at all? Maybe it's the low contrast that's making me think this.

[tonydee]

Generally pretty good. The living room could clearly benefit from more on the left, but I see you were already at 10mm. For the outside frontal shot, I'd keep the camera horizontal to avoid having your verticals appear to lean away from the camera and get more grass in. The front porch shot could also benefit from having the camera angled down more, and a step back or two would have taken in the window at left, more flowers, path and grass... all of which are relatively attractive and add balance. Seat down is definitely the better look. On my monitor, the exposure levels look good and flattering... you did well with the living room to get both indoors and outdoors ok. Cheers, Tony

[BlindRacer]

Thanks, those are very helpful comments. Next time I shoot the house, I'll try to look at balance in the photos, and see what other interests can be captured in the shot.

However, I think you're wrong about the seat thing ;) Caught that after I took to the photos and was reviewing. But for this shoot it didn't matter to me too much since it was just to see what I could do for the most part. I'll definitely make sure I am thorough with the prep of the house before I take the photos next time.

Thanks for the comments, and I'll take them to heart next time I shoot.

[Flo]

If this is not the neatest house and porch, lol.when ya comin to my house??

I think you did a great job! Its perfectly lit to me, you want everything to show up, in all nooks and crannies.

You have a dog?? You have a child?? Where is the mess!!!!http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/emoticons/wacko.gif

[BlindRacer]

This is actually the parent's house that I shot. The dog is outside in the back, running back and forth through at least one or two of the exposures of the living room. I did pick up the toys and get my daughter out of the way for a couple of the rooms that she was in. You can also see my Dad's leg and my Mom's arm in the living room shot on the far left side. It really isn't all that clean and picked up. But I'm sure my parents appreciate that comment. My mom actually said that it looks so much cleaner than it really is, when she saw the pictures. I guess I did a good job then, if I could pull that off.

[Flo]

I tend to gather things:o so this looks like someone just moved out to me;)

[BlindRacer]

Lol. My Parents do tend to keep their house a bit more picked up than my Wife and I. My house I wouldn't be able to keep toys out of the shot. And she's only 14 months old!

Well, thank you all for the comments and suggestions. It's great to hear that I did a decent job on this. I'm going to be practicing a bunch more, and start to build a portfolio, and hope to eventually supplement my income a little. Diapers and toys are expensive!

[Steve Wintrow]

on the living room shot you might try shooting with exposure set for the patio shot through the door, then take another shot exposing for the interior of the room and combine them in photoshop. that way you can have the interior brighter but not have the patio door blown out. i have seen this technique used other places.

try and use the natural light from the windows as much as possible.

[BlindRacer]

I did do that. I think there were about 5 or 6 different exposures for that one. I think I needed another stop faster to capture the exterior how it should have been though.

[ChasP505]

I'm generally OK with these shots. I think there is too much distortion in the master bath shot. I will sometimes "punch up" the exterior shots if they were taken on a dismal day. I often use Velvia Vision by FM for a quick and dirty fix.