Texas Realtor
Dec 3, 2013 13:29:34 #
I have used digital photography for online property presentations since 1998. According to http://archive.org/ my web site is one month younger than Google. My first camera was a 1 megapixel Kodak. I didn't even know about image editing software. Some of the photos were very bad but everyone was amazed because, for the first time, people could look inside a home without having to physically go. After a while, I discovered Paint Shop Pro and began to be able to battle some of the biggest problems. I am sure that nothing will ever match the degree of upgrade that discovering image editing software achieved for me. About 2005, I purchased a .28 wide angle Cannon S70. The wide angle and increased megapixels was a big improvement. About 2010, I purchased a .24 wide angle Samsung TL500 with fully articulating LCD. Particularly in photographing kitchens, this was a big improvement as I can hold it over my head and better show countertops and flooring. I can make bedrooms appear larger by siting on the floor and holding the camera over my head right into one corner.
I imagine that most on this site use better equipment and have more artistic aspirations than me but I plan to interact and see if I can improve. Most presentations are 640 x 480 or a bit larger. I pay attention to the sun and clouds on the exterior shots. Interior shots are more demanding. I get complemented on my presentations. Agents in general have improved over the years but it amazes me that many do not value that good photos are vital to capturing wandering eyeballs looking at properties on the computer screen.
I notice that the Canon PowerShot G1 X has an unprecedentedly large sensor for non SLR cameras. It also has the fully articulating LCD. I wish that it were .24 as is my Samsung instead of .28.
I imagine that most on this site use better equipment and have more artistic aspirations than me but I plan to interact and see if I can improve. Most presentations are 640 x 480 or a bit larger. I pay attention to the sun and clouds on the exterior shots. Interior shots are more demanding. I get complemented on my presentations. Agents in general have improved over the years but it amazes me that many do not value that good photos are vital to capturing wandering eyeballs looking at properties on the computer screen.
I notice that the Canon PowerShot G1 X has an unprecedentedly large sensor for non SLR cameras. It also has the fully articulating LCD. I wish that it were .24 as is my Samsung instead of .28.
Dec 3, 2013 13:36:14 #
Dec 3, 2013 14:02:24 #
Dec 3, 2013 14:26:30 #
Welcome! Interesting to hear your real estate agent history; I took listing photos for agents back in Maine in the late 1990's, and remember well when realtor.com first came into existence.
Dec 3, 2013 15:59:50 #
Dec 4, 2013 05:13:08 #
texashill wrote:
I have used digital photography for online propert... (show quote)
Welcome to the hog, texashillÂ… looking forward to seeing some of your posts.
Rich
Dec 4, 2013 06:13:19 #
Dec 4, 2013 07:30:06 #
Dec 4, 2013 09:31:51 #
texashill wrote:
I have used digital photography for online propert... (show quote)
Welcome fellow Texan! You are in one of my favorite areas in Texas. Hubby and I love to ride our motorcycles there. We even have family who come all the way from Illinois to ride in the Texas Hill country. Glad to see you on UHH. There are some pretty remarkable people on this site! :thumbup:
Dec 4, 2013 09:39:56 #
Dec 4, 2013 09:44:58 #
texashill wrote:
I have used digital photography for online propert... (show quote)
Welcome, and Gig 'em, Aggies!
I've been in real estate in some form or fashion (Houston Realtor, plumber, HVAC company owner, still own a Houston pool/spa construction business, well driller, septic system builder, home inspector) for 45+ years, and my husband is a Realtor here in San Diego. I take a lot of pictures for his listings, as well as for my home inspection reports. However, I've been doing digital photos and post-processing since 1995. Not sure how I ever did without it!
I don't even use a wide-angle lens anymore for real estate because I never liked the sloping walls, weirdly shaped windows, etc. Instead, I'll take two-six pictures and have Photoshop stitch them together for me. Then I increase the lighting in the shadows, decrease the lighting in the highlights to get more definition back, add contrast and sharpening as necessary, etc.
Shadows have always been my pet peeve so I quickly learned how to control those shadows the best I could at the site without tripods, light screens, extra flashes or lighting, etc. I take nothing but handheld pictures.
Dec 4, 2013 09:48:11 #
Welcome to the Hog! I started my appraisal business with the Kodak DC 40 and actually used it in my business until 2011. It took great pictures and I had the wide angle and telephoto screw on lenses for it that made it ideal for interior shots and long driveways. Great digital.
Dec 4, 2013 13:09:28 #
jjbrenner
Loc: San Angelo, TX
Glad you've joined the forum, texashill. I'm another new guy, also from Texas--San Angelo. We look forward to seeing your pictures.
jjbrenner
jjbrenner
Dec 4, 2013 18:32:56 #
Dec 4, 2013 20:21:37 #
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