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bill_bayless

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Posts posted by bill_bayless

    Ding Darling and spoonbills ?

    in Nature

    Posted

    <p>Edward,<br>

    I live near Sanibel and visit there often. If you get there early (as soon as the refuge opens) you will probably see Spoonbills. An early morning low tide will almost guarantee it. As Mathew pointed out, the Venice Rookery should still have some activity at the time you are here and is located about 60 miles north of the Fort Myers area. Corkscrew Swamp is another possibility but is also 50-60 miles away. The Estero Lagoon, located behind the Holiday Inn on Fort Myers Beach is another possibility. A short drive away in Cape Coral you may find Burrowing Owls. The nests are located all over the city and marked with white sticks, usually in vacant lots. Fort Myers Beach is also a good location for a variety of shore birds. Good luck<br>

    Bill</p>

    Real Estate Photos

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    <p >Paul,</p>

    <p > </p>

    <p >Most agents are not willing to pay for professional photography, but a significant number are willing to pay. Real estate photography is growing rapidly and there is opportunity for someone willing to do a little marketing. Price is an issue for both photographers and agents, so you need to find a price level that agents in your area are willing to deal with.</p>

    <p > </p>

    <p >I started 8 years ago when I retired, and have made a lot of adjustments along the way. It supplements my retirement income and keeps me busy doing something I enjoy. I probably don’t charge as much as I should, but I don’t spend a lot of time on any single home either. I use a single flash and correct for that limitation in Photoshop. I use a wide angle lens and don’t stitch anything unless a virtual tour is called for.</p>

    <p > </p>

    <p >The suggestion to visit <a href="http://photographyforrealestate.net/">photographyforrealestate.net</a> is a good one. Larry does a nice job of providing useable information. He also has a couple of e-books on real estate photography that are worth reading. Another good source is the Flicker group for real estate photography. The regular posters there have varied opinions and a lot of good ideas.</p>

    <p > </p>

    <p >Bill Bayless</p>

    <b>Signature URL deleted, not allowed on photo.net</b>

    Think Tank, Airport Airstream

    in Accessories

    Posted

    I am thinking about buying the Airport Airstream, does anyone have any experience with this bag? I would be

    interested in comments on any of the Think Tank rollers or opinions on other brands.

    <p>

    Thanks

    <p>

    Bill

    <p>

    <b>Signature URL deleted, not allowed on photo.net</b>

    Nikon AF 80-400mm D VR lens with D300

    in Nikon

    Posted

    Dittos, what Elliot said. This lens is an excellent buy and sharp thoughout it's range. This thread has provided a lot of opinion, including mine, but look at Hashim's examples and take that to the bank.

     

    The 300mm, f4 with a TC is an excellent combo, but without VR you will see a higher percentage of failure if your are planning to use it without a tripod.

    Ballhead shopping question - with a bunch of links

    in Accessories

    Posted

    I just purchased the Acratech GV2, with the gimbal feature, and so far I like it a lot. The gimbal seems to work well

    and mine does not sag after it is tightened. The Induro DM-23 is also a good ball head but does not have the gimbal

    feature.

     

    I have the Induro C314 tripod and like it also. Your choices sound good to me.

    Real Estate Photography

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    I have been a Real Estate Photographer for the past eight years in the Portland, OR area and I might have some helpful information for you. Spend some time with the folks on the Flicker Group for Real Estate Photography, http://www.flickr.com/groups/photographyforrealestate. You might also want to visit Larry Lohrman�s Blog, http://photographyforrealestate.net/. Larry has an excellent and inexpensive ebook that could also be useful. You might even find something on my website that is beneficial http://realestatephotographer.us. If you still have questions, send me an email and I will try to answer any questions you have.

     

    The two essential pieces of equipment are a wide angle lens in the 12-24mm range and a good external flash.

     

    Good luck and let me know how you are doing.

    Real Estate Photography

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    I believe you might have some problems shooting on weekends only as weekends are Realtor's busiest days.

     

    I use a Nikon DSLR with a 12-24mm lens and a single Nikon SB-800 flash, for most properties, and I like what it does for me. Shooting with available light tends to blow out the windows and I am not fond of that effect. HDR is an option but I haven?t gone there yet. The ultra wide-angle is essential and is my big advantage over the casual shooters and realtors. I shoot the front and back exterior and usually all of the rooms. I process everything in PhotoShop and correct for color and exposure. I also straighten the vertical lines in most shots. It usually takes me less than 30 minutes to shoot the property.

     

    There are professional realtors that understand the importance of the photographs and marketing on the internet and they are willing to pay for it. The slow market is an advantage for me as Realtor?s are doing more to market their listings. How much you charge is ultimately up to you, but I would make sure to charge enough to make it worth your effort. You may need to shoot a few properties for free or at a discounted rate to show what you can do.

     

    My main job is being retired so I don't do as much marketing as I should so most of my business comes from word of mouth recommendations. The main thing is to understand that the competition is mostly from the realtors with cameras and discount realtors who just don't care.

     

    Regards

     

    Bill Bayless

     

    http://realestatephotographer.us

    Best lens for interiors - 14mm prime or 12-24mm Zoom

    in Nikon

    Posted

    I shoot a lot of Real Estate with the Sigma 12-24 and would not be without it. If I had to replace it, I would probably go with the 10-20mm, which was not available when I got mine. I gave the 14mm some consideration earlier this year, but decided it was not a good choice for my work. Distortion has never been a serious issue for this lens.

     

    I'm sure the Tokina would be a fine choice also.

     

    Bill Bayless<div>00MHgH-38042584.jpg.501ad3bf0fdbcd20e7668ecb7d9d1e1b.jpg</div>

    D200 Purchase

    in Nikon

    Posted

    I bought mine at Best Buy earlier this year, along with the 18-200mm VR lens. Excellent transaction with no problems. I would rather make a purchase this large from a local dealer but others may disagree. B&H has an excellent reputation, but I wouldn't gamble on one of those $700 cameras.

     

    Good Luck

     

     

    Bill

    Ravens and the East View

    in Nature

    Posted

    <p>JD, I really enjoy your post and your

    photos.<br>

    Here is my contribution: Not a great shot, but I did have fun with Poe's poem.</p>

    Once upon a sunny day, as I traveled on my way<br>Over the many roads and pathways of the wilderness core.<br>With my camera I was snapping, when suddenly I heard a tapping<br>As of wings gently flapping, flapping by my Hondaﾒs door.<br>ﾓTﾒis a Raven,ﾔ I uttered, ﾓflapping by my Hondaﾒs door -<br>I wonder what heﾒs looking for.ﾔ<br>

    <br>Ah, distinctly I recall, he landed in a tree top tall,<br>And each gust of summer wind, moved the tree and the weight it bore.<br>Whimsically, I sought to hear the sounds projected toward my ear - <br>Sounds that filled my heart with cheer ﾖ cheer for the message that he bore<br>And the message from this noble bird of yoreﾅﾅﾅﾅ.<br>Was, ﾓCarrion for evermore.ﾔ<br> <img src="http://www.tangoway.com/Picture_Pages/yellowstone_2006/images_yellowstone/raven_0658.jpg">

    Fort DeSoto Park 8-05-06

    in Nature

    Posted

    Joshua, you did an amazing job for your first time out. You should be pleased with the results as your images are terrific.

     

    I have always said that if we were allowed to design our own heaven, mine would look a lot like Fort Desoto Park. I has been a number of years since I have visited, but it is still one of my favorite places.

    Nikon D70s

    in Nature

    Posted

    Steve,

     

    I would consider the 105mm macro just for the added working distance. The card is the same one I use and it will be fine as will the rest of the equipment. Have fun.

     

    Bill

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