Photos for a Real Estate Listing

[tom_collins3]

<p>I am not a beginner in terms of digital photography in general, but I am a beginner when it comes to taking photos for a real estate listing. Any tips, websites, etc on HOW to best shoot interiors and exteriors for a Real Estate listing would be MUCH appreciated. THANKS!</p>

[nodpete]

Basicaly, get a wide lens (10-20 or 12-24) and use a tripod ! I'm sure there are lighting tricks too !

[richard_cochran]

<p>Lighting for real estate can be among the most elaborate lighting used in photography.</p>

<p>But one tip to start out with, especially if you're not blessed with a lot of lighting equipment and experience: If you want to balance the light indoors and outside, shoot at twilight, just after sunset. There's a short magical time around dusk when you can turn on the interior lights and include a window in the shot to show the yard or view along with the interior. Color balance may still be an issue, though, but the natural result will be that the interior is warmer (redder) than the exterior, which probably isn't so bad.</p>

<p>Also check out this blog for mistakes you might want to avoid:<br>

<a href="http://lovelylisting.com/">http://lovelylisting.com/</a></p>

 

[tom_collins3]

<p>@Don, @Richard - My gear currently consists of: Rebel XS (1000D), 18-55mm IS 3.5-5.6, 50MM 1.8 (obviously not much help for real estate), Canon 430 EXII, and a (cheap) tripod. </p>

<p>Do you think I can get by with the 18-55 for my first couple of shoots? I'm not making very much so I really don't have the money to by a wide lens right now (I guess I could rent...). </p>

[cabbiinc]

<p>With what you have HDR is about your only option. Shooting at twilight is romantic but not practical for everyone including the RE agent that's taking a chance on you and might want to be eating dinner at that time. The 430EX won't be enough to match sunlight, so unless you want blown windows (and there are valid and good reasons to want that) then you'd be fighting a losing battle on a sunny day. Look into realistic looking HDR. Most of the time you won't even realize that it's an HDR image, yet the shadows will have detail and the highlights won't be blown. Basically don't go nuts with the tonemapping.</p>

<p>I started with an XTi, 18-55, 430EX and a couple of no name flashes, cheap tripod and cable release. My first house took hours because I didn't know what I was doing and lighting an entire room to match the sunlight outdoors was beyond the capability of my equipment. The next house was HDR, much easier, better results, made it look like what it looks like in real life. You'll still want to have a flash handy, but I don't use it for 90% of what I do.</p>

<p>Your next purchase, should you choose to pursue this, is to buy a wider lens. Something along the lines of 11mm or wider. I've heard rumor that Sigma is coming out with an 8-12mm non-fisheye lens. That may prompt some to sell their other lens. You can buy used. This will help you wether you go HDR or flash.<br>

Next is a sturdy tripod. Research this, buy the right one and you won't have to buy another for 20 years. Or find the right used one.</p>

[tangibleimages]

Expose for ambient and use off camera flash as fill. I strongly recommend a white translucent umbrella and reflectors as

well.

[James G. Dainis]

One advantage of using a 12mm wide angle lens is it makes the room look much larger. One would be hard pressed to photograph a 10x8 bathroom with a normal perspective 50mm lens but a 12mm would do the trick and prospective clients would see the photo and say, "Wow! That bathroom is huge".<P>

 

<center><img src="http://jdainis.com/office_both.jpg"></center><P>

 

I was watching HGTV (Home and Garden Television) the other day and they were showing a couple that were buying a house in an area far removed from where they currently lived. They had visited the area and looked at various houses while there. After returning to their current home, they had a relative video tape one of the houses and send them the tape. I could tell that the camera used a very wide angle lens. The woman said, "It is a good thing I had him video tape it. The rooms are a lot larger than I remembered. We've signed the purchase contract and sent a check."

[greg_peterson3]

<p>Run, do not walk, to <a href="http://PhotographyForRealestate.com">http://PhotographyForRealestate.com</a><br>

Prepare to spend a substantial amount of time there.</p>

 

[tom_collins3]

<p>Thanks for the tips and suggestions everyone!</p>