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Lighting for Real Estate Photography
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Feb 8, 2016 14:24:42   #
CKBailey Loc: Omaha
 
dynaquest1 wrote:
I shoot real estate and use a Nikon D750 with a Sigma 12-24mm lens. To minimize distortion, I try to shoot closer to 24mm than 12mm. KEEP THE CAMERA LEVEL!! If you do not, vertical lines (walls, pictures, windows) will be curved or not straight up and down. You can fix that in LR, Adobe Camera RAW and PS but you will lose some of your frame. Keep the camera level! I, of course, use a tripod and shoot five bracketed exposures outdoors and 3 to 5 indoors. I typically add one stop of exposure compensation indoors. I don't worry too much about windows...clients don't pay enough for the time required the make the windows perfect in post. I post process with Photomatix (mild tone mapping), Adobe Camera RAW and PS CS6. I batch resize to 640 x 427px using Photoshop. My images show up in MLS at 6 x 4 ratio and are NOT cropped to 4 x 3. (attached photos are MLS sized)
I shoot real estate and use a Nikon D750 with a Si... (show quote)
Thank you for the great suggestions

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Feb 8, 2016 14:27:05   #
CKBailey Loc: Omaha
 
sirlensalot wrote:
It's been awhile, so I am probably leaving out a lot. Guessing tons more better advice out there, but hope this helps a little.
Good advice...cuts to the chase :)

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Feb 8, 2016 14:54:21   #
Paul Buckhiester Loc: Columbus, GA USA
 
See Lynda.com

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Feb 8, 2016 16:19:39   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Ultrawides are ok for really tight spaces, but you'd be better served with your 24mm, and learn to create stitched panoramas. Your perspective distortion, where foreground elements are represented as being very large, and background elements are smaller than expected, and the room gets "longer" than it really is - will be minimized with longer focal lengths. http://www.photoguides.net/how-to-fake-a-wide-angle-lens
As far as lighting is concerned, you can be quite effective with a single speedlight, if you learn how to paint the light with it.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/08/one-light-real-estate-photography.html

For a professional the essentials are a 24mm PC, 45mm PC, and a collection of lights and modifiers. With that, you can tackle that Architectural Digest shoot. Otherwise you just need to pick up a speedlight, and settle for trading your time against the cost of buying more gear. If you learn this well, your results will be much better than with the ultra-wide lens and a bag full of speedlights, and no one will be able to tell what you actually used. Good luck!

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Feb 8, 2016 17:29:00   #
bcrawf
 
Assuming this camera is a 1.6 crop factor one, you'll need a 16mm or so lens for interiors (which would be 25.5 mm on a full frame camera). Renting would be an option to start. Look at architectural imagery to prepare.

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Feb 8, 2016 18:50:20   #
CKBailey Loc: Omaha
 
Gene51 wrote:
Ultrawides are ok for really tight spaces, but you'd be better served with your 24mm, and learn to create stitched panoramas. Your perspective distortion, where foreground elements are represented as being very large, and background elements are smaller than expected, and the room gets "longer" than it really is - will be minimized with longer focal lengths. http://www.photoguides.net/how-to-fake-a-wide-angle-lens

As far as lighting is concerned, you can be quite effective with a single speedlight, if you learn how to paint the light with it. http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/08/one-light-real-estate-photography.html
For a professional the essentials are a 24mm PC, 45mm PC, and a collection of lights and modifiers. With that, you can tackle that Architectural Digest shoot. Otherwise you just need to pick up a speedlight, and settle for trading your time against the cost of buying more gear. If you learn this well, your results will be much better than with the ultrawide lens and a bag full of speedlights, and no one will be able to tell what you actually used. Good luck!
Ultrawides are ok for really tight spaces, but you... (show quote)
thank you. This forum is fantastic.

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Feb 8, 2016 23:26:17   #
katherineivey Loc: Corinth, Texas
 
I do need to update my website. It seems that I didn't correct the distortion in my older photos the way I do now. I am just using Photoshop but will do a trial of DXO Viewpoint 2. Thanks for the tip!!

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Feb 9, 2016 08:44:15   #
NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island
 
There is a ton of really good information on this thread and I can't really add to what's been said except to recommend the Tokina 16-24. It's a full frame lens and I use it almost exclusively for my fairly basic real estate photography. I don't get paid enough to justify more speedlights and post work.

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Feb 9, 2016 19:57:00   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
I would use your current lens and consider buying the following lighting for a natural look. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-Photo-Studio-Lighting-Softbox-Photography-Equipment-Studio-Light-Box-Stand-/171426871044?hash=item27e9d67704:g:FekAAOxyOlhSs1ao

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Feb 9, 2016 20:06:53   #
CKBailey Loc: Omaha
 
PixelStan77 wrote:
I would use your current lens and consider buying the following lighting for a natural look.
Thank you. I think this is doable for my current level. I stopped by your website. Your work is beautiful.

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Feb 9, 2016 20:08:36   #
CKBailey Loc: Omaha
 
NoSocks wrote:
There is a ton of really good information on this thread and I can't really add to what's been said except to recommend the Tokina 16-24. It's a full frame lens and I use it almost exclusively for my fairly basic real estate photography. I don't get paid enough to justify more speedlights and post work.
Ill look into that lens. Thank you, Cindy

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Feb 9, 2016 20:11:47   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
CKBailey wrote:
Thank you. I think this is doable for my current level. I stopped by your website. Your work is beautiful.
Thanks for your kind words about my website Cindy.. I use the setup I suggested to you. Good quality at a reasonable price. I did real estate photography also for brokers. When your budget will allow it a 14mm LENS IS GREAT. Your 24 will work.

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Feb 10, 2016 20:09:26   #
CKBailey Loc: Omaha
 
DavidPine wrote:
I am a professional real estate and architectural photographer. Your D750 and 24-120 will be fine while you learn. Ultra wide angle lenses aren't absolutely necessary. I shoot real estate mostly at 24mm. Architectural is different in that you really need a shift tilt. Your most important piece of equipment will be a good tripod and geared head like a Manfroto 410 Jr. Because you don't have lights you'll need to bracket 5 to 7 shots and then blend in post. Keeping your camera level is a must. You need to concentrate on composing two walls rather than trying to get an entire room. When you process, and I suggest LR CC, your vertical adjustment is a must. Look up Scott Hargis on YouTube and consider taking one of his courses. Good luck.
I am a professional real estate and architectural ... (show quote)
I just viewed 2 of your images that you included in the architectural forum. Quite impressive. Cindy

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Jul 31, 2021 19:34:15   #
Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!
 
[quote=burkphoto]Well, eventually, you'll need a more versatile lens.
• On full frame Nikon — the D750 — you need a 14-24mm zoom.
• On full frame Canon, you need a 16-35mm zoom.
• On DX or APS-C, you need a 10-20, or 10-22mm zoom.
• On Micro Four-Thirds, you need a 7-14mm zoom.
Just a couple of notes: All these camera formats are fine for real estate photography, since the images go on the web, are tiny, and will never be printed larger than about 6x8 inches.

The universal aspect ratio for real estate work is 4:3, making Micro Four-Thirds an obvious choice if you wish to "crop in camera." All 3:2 images get cropped on the sides, so keep that in mind as you work with your full frame.


Question, is the above information valid if you are planning to include Real Estate video in your services?

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