Real Estate Photography

Hello fellow photographers, I am an aspiring real estate photographer, looking to get into the business but could use some critiquing on my photos.
I had a chance to shoot along side a professional who does fantastic work and I am trying to match the level in which he does. (don't want to drag the industry down)
Here are a couple sample photos of his verses my work. I am at a point in which I need to up my game.
I shoot with a Canon XTI with Canon EF-S 10-22 lens and off camera flash.
The professional shoots with a Canon 5D MKii with a Canon full frame wide angle lens EF 17-40 (I think) and same off camera flash.

See attached photos, and I have a link to my photobucket library as well with additional shots at a larger image size.

http://i796.photobucke​t.com …lakitchen_zps69​dde863.jpg
http://i796.photobucke​t.com …t-kitchen_zpseacb6cb3.jp​g


Notice the detail and the color seems more real life in the professionals photos.

So the questions I have are:

1. Is this better because of camera equipment or post editing? (I use Photomatirix and LR4 for HDR, I think he said he uses PS)

2. If its is equipment, do I upgrade to like a 60D or do I need to go full blown and get the 5D MKii and start selling all my current lenses?

3. If editing, do I need to spend the HUGE $ on PS or will Elements 11 do what I need?

Any and all help is very much appreciated and thank you for your time.

He can go a LITTLE wider which helps. Seems like he shot a little bit lower too. I actually prefer the colors in yours. His may be a 1/2 stop too bright.

If it is your profession, you can't go wrong with investing in a FF camera!

Images look too tonemapped and not wide enough. I would not want to replicate that look personally.

Am I attributing these the same as the two people above me? The OP's is on the right, not the left.

All good stuff guys.

The window in the back of the professionals on the left more clear and brighter then mine.
I am using the tonemapping in Photomatrix and exporting .tif, and importing to LR4 to align and make adjustments.

As for the camera, equipment: How much of a difference is there between a top crop frame and a full frame 5D MKii? How many people have up graded and noticed a HUGE difference?

Thanks

rioni wrote in post #16387562
Images look too tonemapped and not wide enough. I would not want to replicate that look personally.

Agreed. I think his shot looks like a cheesy HDR.

The shot on the left looks far less cheesy and the verticals are straight, the one on the right is over-processed and the verticals suffer from lens distortion.
Also reflections, the photo on the left has a far more uniform tone in the bench tops, I am guessing this is due to reflection elimination with a CPL.

Which one is yours and which one is his? Left or right?

Regardless of whose shot it is, that flash reflection on the stone countertop shoots the picture down right off the bat.

All great feed back, thank you and keep it coming.

For the record, mine is the one on the Right the Professional is on the left.

I'd really tone it down with the grungy HDR look. Architectural shots demand an accurate rendition of a subject and clients frown on surreal looks.

Additionally, note a couple of other differences 'twixt his and yours: he cropped right along the middle of the larder door, thus eliminating the disturbing distraction of the door frame. Finally, whilst both of you kept your verticals vertical (a prime requirement), your picture shews extreme barrel distortion, and the inclusion of the door frame only makes it more jarring. You can (at least in this case) easily fix that in post-production.