 Lisa Archer |
Shooting Real Estate Photography I have a Kodak DX-7630 6.1 megapixel camera. A realtor friend of mine asked me to shoot some houses for her she has for sale. Is 6.1 megapixels up to the task? What setting should I put it on?
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Lynn R. Powers |
Yes, your 6.1 megapixel camera is up to the job unless the photo is going to be on the glossy cover of one of the more expensive real estate magazines. Set your camera for landscape or the automatic program setting. Take your photos during the time of day that the sun is lighting up the front of the house but not at midday. I see that you have been a member since 2005. May I suggest that you take a basic photography course here at BetterPhoto so that you can learn how to use Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and the best lens for better photographs. You will enjoy photography a lot more and feel more satisfaction when you control the photograph and not the camera doing all of the thinking.
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Lisa Archer |
Thank you for the comments and your suggestion. I am definitely going to take one of the classes this Fall.
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doug Nelson |
Start noticing how light falls on houses, what strong directional light does, what diffuse morning or evening light does. Light that is too strong will white out wall or window surfaces. You'll know this is happening because the histogram or flashing burnout warning in you playback mode will tell you. Excess shadows have to be tamed, too, or you'll lose detail. Most zoom lenses show some degree of barrel distortion at the wide end. Shoot though a window or archway with the straight edges near the edges of your frame to see if this happens. If you see these lines bowing outward, you can control it in your imaging program, even the less than $100 Elements.
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Lisa Archer |
Thank you for the advice Doug. I actually did have to manipulate some shadows with my PhotoImpact Pro software. I'll pay close attention to my warnings on the camera now that you have mentioned it. Thanks again. Lisa
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Thea Menagh |
Hi Lisa ... I totally agree with Lynn P. I've been a real estate photographer in Toronto for over 30 years & LOVE it!!! After weddings, babies, families, product, landscapes, etc., there's nothing like it!! And your campera's going to be just fine, for both the MLS photos which are low resolution & the print formats for Feature Sheets/brochures - exteriors AND interiors. Don't forget to take a super exterior shot of the houses so your realtor friend can give her clients an 8"x10" framed print as a memoir (not very expensive & a nice touch!) Because of the great differences in exterior lighting & the lighting in each room of the interior, setting your camera at automatic for the first few times is probably best. You can always make adjustments in Photoshop/Elements. Also, bending at the knees up-and-down slowly is a good way to ensure your angles are straight, if that's what you want. Sometimes an angle-shot can attract lots of attention ... which is what you want on the MLS !!! All the very best. Hope you love it as much as I do ... and remember to photograph the 'bones' of the house (doorways, windows, coffered ceilings, hardwood floors, etc.) instead of the furniture!! Remember what your friend's selling. Got to run out to a shoot. Instead of finding a photo to upload for you, please check the Real Estate page of my website @ www.TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com)
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Lisa Archer |
Wow!!! Your website and your photography is increditble! I really appreciate the advice. I will take it to heart and let you know how it goes, Lisa
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H. William Lewis |
When I used to shoot real estate in Florida back in the days of film, my favorite lens for exteriors was a 24mm and that or my 20mm for interiors.
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