canon Lee

To those that have expertise about shooting real estate....
There are many ways to shoot interiors, not just one way... So I have decided to create my way called "Ambient light"..... Camera on tripod.... NO flash..... Aperture priority....Bracketing.... I set the exposure (ambient light) for medium light in the room, spot metering.... take 3 shots... Import in LR HDR..... burned to a flash drive...... Of all the ways I have looked into, this one is best for the clients I will be having, small house $100.00 large $150.00.. So this system is a fast quality way... I am sure that if would be spending 4hours on a shoot, I would charge more,( Light setup) but the real estate agent is looking for much less.... So I am good with doing more shoots for less.....
I would like some input from those that have their ways of shooting real estate..... Much appreciated....

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

I would love to see some pics! I am thinking of getting in that field myself - have been asked to do a few.

canon Lee

Hi Deer... Go for it! The only concern with shooting interiors is the difference in the light from outside to inside, so windows will be brighter (actually blown out), than the interior. This is why I bracket and use HDR. The money isn't that much, but it is good for the time you have to travel and shoot... Early morning & around 5PM are ideal times to shoot.. I will post as soon as possible...

Robeng Loc: California

Canon Lee,

I very seldom use flash when I'm shooting real estate property. I usually do a walk through and check for window lighting & shadows. I'll normally open all the blinds to let in the natural light. Once I have the window lighting set I approached it like a crime scene, I start from the entrance and work all the angles photographing from every corner. I use a full frame Nikon with a 16mm-35mm lens and a 28mm-300mm lens. I shoot in manual mode to adjust for lighting conditions. I also use a tripod and bracket my images. I give my clients samples in both JPEG and HDR. On average I do a shoot in about 1 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the house.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I also do a lot of real estate work. I prefer available light when possible, and generally don't have time for a tripod HDR setup. I do use a flash, pointed upward, with a diffuser for fill light. I've also found it helpful to carry a reflector and an inexpensive tripod for redirecting the natural light. I think you've got the right idea, though. Would love to see some of your work.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

For awhile I shot some real estate. The lady sold on the average 3 million a year. Nice homes, good commissions. She loved my photos, till someone came along and did them cheaper, blown out windows and all, but they added a special affect that went from a narrow view to a full size view on her web site. She liked the affect and saved a few hundred bucks. I do have to say, that's still a step above the cell phone photographs I see on the property sites now. I would only say, save your nickels and dimes as the realtor will no doubt find someone even cheaper..............
P.S. Good Luck..

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I've seen this phenomenon as well. Fortunately, any work I do is part of my job for a non-profit development agency, so there's never anyone cheaper!

canon Lee

Hi Rob exactly my thoughts... I might bring along a stand and flash just incase I need to add some light.... But most homes have sufficient ambient so that I really don't need flash...

canon Lee

Hi Andy,,,, My only concern about interiors are the windows that blow out, so I bracket and use HDR to isolate the windows...I will post some photos...

canon Lee

Your comments are well taken... As I stated, my agents are looking for $100.00 shoots with windows not blown out... Simplified technique using only ambient light is what I will be doing.. I will offer what the agents want, for the hour I'm there...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Good luck!

canon Lee

Thanks Gene... I know your technique is the best, and thank you for your advice and mentoring... I am being practical Gene and keeping it simple, as the pay is low and I just cant spend hours.... My photography company does picture day for youth sports clubs, which is very lucrative, but unlike what I will be doing in real estate photography, I do a full studio set up, with mono lights/umbrellas,backdrops, floor-drops, the whole set up, outsourcing prints with templates and packages.. Im just interested in filling in my schedule, between seasons...

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I just retired from shooting real estate and architectural photography. Have you considered your time-value and expenses? The real estate photographers that make money at $100 run-and-gun and shoot JPG with no post-processing. You have to drive to and from a shoot, do the shoot, process your images in HDR and deliver within 12-24 hours on a thumb drive. When you charge a real estate agent for a re-shoot, time waiting for access to a property, chit-chat while working with agent or homeowner, canceled shoots, rescheduled shoots and, so on – the agent will not call you again. Time spent on collections is always fun, too. I charged more because my name was going on the images and I had to make certain that I was doing myself justice. That's why I used lights and modifiers. There were times I had to bracket because of reflections and I never shot JPG. I made money and I was sort of a prima-donna when it came to insisting that a property was properly prepared for me to shoot. Someone is always in charge and I insisted that it was me. I enjoyed it and I will do an occasional shoot on a high-end property. Gene51 knows exactly what I'm talking about.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Too hard, too time consuming. Their are many quicker and better ways to shoot interiors.
Basic set up for any rooms or rooms that show outdoor light, you have to balance the outdoor light with FLASH, yes, you need flash. First, take a reading of the outside light.(use that reading as your base exposure) Make sure your exposure is within the range of your flash. (1/250 sec. or slower) then, tilt your flash head up and behind you so that your flash is diffused. You can go manual on the camera and TTL on the flash (easier) Using this method your outdoor light is the same as the indoor light and you won't have to use a HDR program. You get the shot right the first time.

OviedoPhotos

Considering travel time and gas, knowledge, investment in thumb drives, post processing time, invoicing and collections 100$ seems a giveaway to the realtor. There is also the waiting around factor.

I shot about ten properties in FL for 150$ and it was OK, I went with 2 cameras each with a different lens, no flash and a tripod. After getting the run around for payment the first time I requested a check while at the property. Then a young gal came along with an Olympus Tough point and shoot and charged 80$ a home. I wished stood firm and was replaced.