Real Estate photography lighting: I have a new opportunity to do some real estate photography I shoot with a Nikon 750,7200,7000 and lens 24-70 2.8, Tokina 11-16 2,8, and 18-105and...

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

I have a new opportunity to do some real estate photography I shoot with a Nikon 750,7200,7000 and lens 24-70 2.8, Tokina 11-16 2,8, and 18-105and 18-400. Utube videos show both solid lighting and flash I think I prefer flash. Please any recommendations appreciated for product or your preferred technique

Thanks
Joe

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am not into real estate photography but I have had the opportunity of shooting real estate for others. Your Tokina 11-16 f2.8 is going to be your most useful lens specially for interiors. You will be able to illuminate many interiors with flash and I have done so bouncing the light from white walls. That is a technique that I recommend. If more than one flash is necessary will depend on the size of the rooms or the complexity of ambient light indoors.

Exterior of buildings is much easier, just shoot when the light is soft or in the evening near dusk with the lights of the building on.
Good luck.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Thank you for your response.

Joe

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

Also get a few 30x40 pieces of white foam core board, and tape them hinged together with white or clear tape. You can then stand them slightly folded and hidden to reflect light. Larger the better.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

Try to keep your camera level both horizontally and vertically so that the lines of the walls are vertical. Nothing is worse than vanishing lines for interior architecture.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Thanks John I have seen that approach in some utube videos

J

Leitz Loc: Solms

Papa j wrote:

I have a new opportunity to do some real estate photography I shoot with a Nikon 750,7200,7000 and lens 24-70 2.8, Tokina 11-16 2,8, and 18-105and 18-400. Utube videos show both solid lighting and flash I think I prefer flash. Please any recommendations appreciated for product or your preferred technique

Thanks
Joe

If you're qualified for the job, you know how to light it.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

When we (quickly!) sold our condo a few months ago the (very) professional photographer had a simple Canon DSLR set up. It was a very wide angle lens, a single big bare bulb flash and a tripod. I think the flash was a Godox model. It was remote, wireless TTL. He also shot for plenty of "see through the windows" HDR. He said his favorite trick was for his wife to do the post processing.

It is a different sort of photography when you are shooting for small flyers and online viewing. I asked why his work was so "bright" and nearly overexposed. His answer was that you have to stop the viewer's scrolling long enough to see what's for sale. In other words, it has to be a little brighter than all the perfectly exposed competition!

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Leitz wrote:

If you're qualified for the job, you know how to light it.

Thx

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Papa j I assist several commercial photographers who's forte is architectural renderings...
Each uses a power pack with multiple heads... their results are breathtaking...

Best Advice? Assist other commercial shooters in your market...
btw, a photo-assistant is to be seen not heard... asking questions is the kiss of death... avoid or you'll never be hired to assist again... the commercial market in architectural is typically small and word travels far and wide...

As far as kit?
It's all about the glass... each of your Nikon bodies is up to the task albeit the FX D750 will allow more effective use of wide angle optics...

If you are serious about getting into commercial architectural renderings then I would suggest the Nikon PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED Tilt-Shift Lens as your entry into this highly competitive field.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/545664-USA/Nikon_2168_Wide_Angle_PC_E_Nikkor.html

All the best on your journey Papa j

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

Papa j wrote:

I have a new opportunity to do some real estate photography I shoot with a Nikon 750,7200,7000 and lens 24-70 2.8, Tokina 11-16 2,8, and 18-105and 18-400. Utube videos show both solid lighting and flash I think I prefer flash. Please any recommendations appreciated for product or your preferred technique

Thanks
Joe

Deconstruct some of this guy's RE images - there is a awful lot to learn here, especially with regards to lighting and staging.

http://ronnachtwey.com/

Be especially careful of using very wide lenses and extreme extension distortion and volume anamorphosis that plagues nearly all ultra-wide lenses. Avoid lighting to overpower ambient. The best RE lighting is were the light placement enhances the existing lighting. NEVER EVER put your lighting in-line with or close to your camera pointed into the room. Learn how to shoot panoramas with slightly longer lenses - etc etc etc.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Thomas902 wrote:

Papa j I assist several commercial photographers w... (show quote)

Thanks advice well taken. Expensive glass.
J

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Gene51 wrote:

Deconstruct some of this guy's RE images - there i... (show quote)

Thank you great referral

J

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...Avoid lighting to overpower ambient. The best RE lighting is were the light placement enhances the existing lighting..." What Gene said...

Much of my time on location was attaching in-line rheostats to all interior lighting...
This allowed for complete control of the ambient/interior mix...

When the client's agent was on site initial tests shots were captured for their feedback and approval.
Not a lay back fun job... time is money and for many assignments per diem was a variable in the mix which in far too many cases resulted in 10 to 12 hour days... even 14 hours wasn't consider outrageous...

For upscale hotels a single room might take half a day to shoot...
And we had several hand carts to move up to 500 lbs of kit...
But it checks clear... so no complaints... lol

One of the many photographers I assisted...
http://www.kieleyphoto.com/

Superb attention to detail... stellar workflow...

Once again Papa j assisting is the standard entry into this challenging market...
I wish you well on your journey...

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

Papa j wrote:

I have a new opportunity to do some real estate photography I shoot with a Nikon 750,7200,7000 and lens 24-70 2.8, Tokina 11-16 2,8, and 18-105and 18-400. Utube videos show both solid lighting and flash I think I prefer flash. Please any recommendations appreciated for product or your preferred technique

Thanks
Joe

If windows and outside scenes are in your future. Get a flash with a movable head that you can aim up and behind you. Manual meter the outside light, use this setting for your shot, make sure you are shooting at 1/250 sec. or slower. Use manual on your camera and TTL on the flash, aim the head up and back. The result will be a well balanced shot showing the interior and outside with the same exposure.