A thread for real estate, architectural, and interior design photography

PhotogHobbyist wrote in post #17847478
Cozy little big bedroom.

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Is this room pentagon shape or is this an artifact of getting 4 walls in the pic?

A 2.8 aperture won't help you unless you are shooting at 2.8... Which I hope you aren't...

Overcast days are harder because you have less ambient sunlight coming through the windows. Generally you should just decrease your shutter speed. But if you aren't getting enough power from your flash, take it off camera and boost your ISO.

PhotogHobbyist wrote in post #17849357
The low outside light conditions, coupled with the UWA lens led to underexposed images across the board. I'm wondering if the 16-35 f2.8 might help on overcast days where there isn't as much light coming thru the windows.

The outside light should have little to do with underexposed images inside. I'm thinking that you didn't write what you were thinking, or you have a fundamental misunderstanding of how the exposure triangle works?

PhotogHobbyist wrote in post #17849357
I'm wondering if the 16-35 f2.8 might help on overcast days where there isn't as much light coming thru the windows.

A tripod is a must. You shouldn't shoot at 2.8 anyways. I usually go for f/9 or thereabouts...

Are you trolling?

cccc wrote in post #17851210
Are you trolling?

It's a sad state of affairs when you have to ask that question, and I do wonder myself..

PhotogHobbyist wrote in post #17851152
Tripod is great, but very time consuming for shooting listings, no?

NO! The exposure flexibility and framing discipline are far more important than moving a bit faster. Besides you only set it up once and then just move and adjust it. It's very fast and the increased quality is substantial. And if you do any exposure blending, you MUST use a tripod.

In fact you are much more limited without it.

PhotogHobbyist wrote in post #17851326
Makes perfect sense in the context you described. With unlimited time, I understand the benefits of a tripod for IQ. Thanks!

It doesn't take any extra time with a tripod, you set it up once and then just carry it around from room to room. You either need to use flashes with some Photoshop masking or bracketed exposures to get good photos, I can't imagine doing it without a tripod.

PhotogHobbyist wrote in post #17851372
I will also try with a tripod and see how that goes. That's what I love about Photography, the seemingly endless possibilities for creating images.

To call your artistic process "wrong" would be ignorant, so I'll refrain. I will say that high quality images are derived from control. The more control you give up, the less likely you are to capture the best shot.

PhotogHobbyist wrote in post #17851152
Tripod is great, but very time consuming for shooting listings, no?

Not at all more time consuming and gives you full flexibility over exposure since shutter speed is no longer a concern. Plus your photos will probably require less straightening and vertical correction if they are more level, and its the only way to blend exposures if necessary.

Scott Spellman wrote in post #17851392
Not at all more time consuming and gives you full flexibility over exposure since shutter speed is no longer a concern. Plus 1) your photos will probably require less straightening and vertical correction if they are more level, and its the only way to blend exposures if necessary.

That's right, I usually shoot a 5 bracket series +-2 EV. At ISO100, f/9 my +2EV exposure usually comes to a 2 second shutter speed. Sometimes longer if the room is dark (bedroom with only one ceiling light). I don't like to go any longer as it can introduce some significant noise from the sensor as it heats up, but most of the time I'm not using much from that exposure anyways. IS isn't going to help with this situation.

Now certainly this is not the only way to do it, but I think you'll find that a tripod will give you a lot of consistency in your photos. Also remember that it will allow you to always shoot the photos from the same height which is generally a good thing to keep a consistent flow to the pictures.

A couple from the other day

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PhotogHobbyist wrote in post #17851472
It's all about control in a studio, but scenarios change as you move through a home. I feel the tripod may be somewhat limiting because of this reason, but will try it out soon.

What is limiting is your steadfast determination to work hand held. You are limiting yourself to hand holdable shutter speeds - which is why you have trouble balancing with outside light on a cloudy day. You are also limiting yourself to daytime work. No twilight or night photography because you can't hand hold it. You are making it more difficult to use multiple and/or off camera flash. You are probably limiting the precision with which you frame a room and, regardless of what you think, making brackets that can be blended effectively hand held is VERY difficult. You can always quickly remove the camera from the tripod when really needed, but, without the tripod, you lose all of the capability listed above. And a monopod won't help. That's for sports and wildlife.

All this you are sacrificing because you think you need to put a camera in a tight place. Put your camera on a tripod. Tether you camera to your phone or tablet with DSLR Controller. Mount the phone to the tripod with this (I mount mine to my center column). You can put your camera in any tight spot (or anyplace else) you want and use the phone remote to control all the functions.

Scenes change but, to be consistent, the camera height (which should really be about the middle of the chest - not eye level) should remain the same much of the time. It is about control - just not the same kind as a studio.

Now, if you will permit me, I'm going to get personal and I hope you will accept my remarks in the spirit in which they are intended - that is to help and not to offend.

You seem to respond to criticism with defensiveness and excuses. You've been given some very good advice on this thread from some experienced photographers who know how to produce what clients want. Take advantage of their help instead of drawing artistic lines. These guys know their stuff. Real estate photography has one purpose - to sell the property. Although we want it to look great, it's not about artistic integrity or individuality. First you must produce what your clients (please listen to their criticisms and don't argue with them - they know what sells) want. If you can add some more creative work after the nuts and bolts work is finished, that's a big plus. But first, provide the client with standard, clean, top quality real estate photography that meets the client's needs.

And don't be in such a hurry to trip the shutter - take time to see first. Have you ever used a view camera? You really should if you have access to one. It's great discipline for both the eye and the technique.

PhotogHobbyist wrote in post #17851611
Beautiful

Indeed!!

Two from a recent house. New construction.

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