klaus00 wrote in post #15765807
Well, after 2 weeks reading this thread from the beggining to the end, I'm ready to post.
First of all, I'm really sad that Mike's pics and videos are private, I believe they would be truly helpful.
Second, I'm a photographer as you, but I usually take pictures for interior designers and furniture companies, not realtors.
Third, I was thinking about making a list with all the workflow posted here by these marvellous photographers with examples of result, but as everyone else, time is short for me. If someone would like to help me, I would be really happy, just PM me. I'm willing to share my workflow if someone thinks it would be helpful.
Fourth, I'm really needing some feedback, my clients usually like my results, but I'm usually thinking that I'm missing something, I still didn't find the magic button on my camera that makes images shine. I already tried some techniques like the multi layered flash that Mike uses, but I usually think it looks to fake for my clients, not that I don't like the results. The point is, my clients are happy, but I'm getting unmotivated.
Sorry for the very long post.
klaus,
These are all great images. Thanks for contributing. I appreciate the kind words - I don't really post any more because I am just way too busy now, and I pulled all of my images off of flickr, because while I know they would be great to help others learn, there was literally every image I have ever shot available to view - some, as you would expect, were utter garbage : ) And I would prefer that potential clients not see that when compared to what I am currently producing, as opinions are easily swayed by one bad image. Like Joe McNally says - one 'oh ****!' wipes out ten 'attaboys' so I cleaned everything up. I still occasionally lurk and keep an eye on my baby though.
Anyway,
What technique are you using to produce those images? I think you're heading in a great direction but in order to really get the images to snap a bit, it would do you well to incorporate some flash, whether masked in or shot as one click, if you know what I'm getting at. Flash really brings out specular highlights and adds depth, microcontrast, and definition which simply isn't attainable with HDR. Controlling the light is probably the single most beneficial thing you can do to take your images to the next level.
I know that people will argue with me until everyone is blue in the face, but you can only manipulate a series of raw images so much. With the right equipment, you can manipulate light nearly endlessly. Daylight, twilight, nighttime. Hell, I've put up scrims and thrown a few einsteins outside and blasted light into a room at 11pm to make it look bright as day. You don't have to light a place up like the Taj Mahal at night, but a few strategically placed lights just for fill can take an image a long way and retain a very natural feel. Some of the most prolific architectural photographers have used artificial light to enhance their images (Shulman's Case Study House #22 image is a perfect example of this) and even Frank Lloyd Wright himself has said that light is necessary for architectural photography, but it should be used in a manner that replicates the natural lighting of the architecture. While my twilight images would probably make FLW spin in his grave fast enough to power an entire city, I have adopted that principle and hold it dear for my interior images these days. Residential, at least - for architects and designers. Other clients, again, are an entirely different ballgame.
Here is some recent work of mine. I have been traveling all over the US (LA, Phoenix, Atlanta, Palm Springs, SF) and even managed a trip to Iceland in there.
