A Pro's Advice on Real Estate Photography

 


renovating images that carry houses is like building a large number - it all starts with a good foundation. For over 15 years I have been shooting luxury items in New York City and trying all kinds of gears to help me shoot. Want to know the secret? You only need 3 things to get started: a tripod, a cable outlet, and a wide lens.Interior photo - living room



Tripods: Avoid Loose Screws

I always shoot on a tripod. Why? Because almost all of my exposure is far longer than I can handle without a blur of movement. In addition, a tripod is required for re-touch. In order to set the display and stitch it together during reloading, the images must be well matched. If the camera is turned off slightly, there will be blurring and focus problems when trying to combine photos together. That’s a distraction that can easily be avoided with a good tripod.

There are a ton of tripods styles, but I prefer the twist-to-lock options as opposed to the closure types. I have used both styles and found that the lever type has screws and nuts that ultimately need to be tightened to prevent the tripod from falling suddenly. The twist-to-lock types have never been so successful for me and I have never tightened the loose screws. Trust me, I have had three falls and damaged the lens - and almost the entire camera - because of one screw!

Another consideration for weight. I took the subway to the shoots as I climbed the stairs with my camera bag. The last thing I want to add is a lot of weight! I prefer a carbon fiber tripod as it is the strongest and easiest option. When looking for the equivalent of your budget, make sure the tripod has at least one level of ball made into it. It is very helpful to quickly see how the tripod fits and which side should be adjusted when turned off.


Cable Release: Cut Or Save Cable

I loved the cable release when the child was playing with the cameras. They seemed simple and fun, but somehow they didn't need to. Why not just press the camera button? Years ago, this little tool was going to be the most important thing in my photography career. You can’t make good photos of shooting interior objects without one and the reason goes back to the long-term exposure. I’ve seen some people use the time delay as a time to get into using the cable release, but this is a catastrophic image disaster waiting to happen. Depending on the type of camera you use, there are a ton of options: wireless cables, and wires for wifi. I always keep a standard cord-based release in my camera bag like my last backup.

For my daily shooting, I prefer to use a wifi-based camera control app. There are many options to choose from, including using apps provided by your camera maker. They all offer different options and resources. My three characteristics of use are: Does it work consistently? It's fast? Does it pull the camera battery? Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but you can just start with a standard cable extraction.


Wide Angle Lens: Distorted Disaster

Using a wide angle lens is like making broken eggs: they are easy to make and easy to assemble. Finding everything with one shot is easy, but can you make it look open without looking distorted? Can you shift the size - or the lack of it - to a problematic and challenging space? If you have the right lens for the job, you are in the middle of it. With so many options when it comes to wide-angle lenses, it may be tempting to find a larger zoom lens to cover your bases. I always like the front lens as it is sharp, has small flaws, and forces you to navigate the space instead of just going in or out. This may seem small but it forces you to engage in space and open your eyes to a new corner to surround the gun.

I use prime 17mm and 24mm for most of my photos. Pay close attention to everything in front of and around the edges of the lens. The chair can be quickly stretched out on a mismatched sofa and the kitchen island may seem to have consumed the entire kitchen. Often the issues can be resolved by taking a step back with the camera and providing space to breathe in space. If you go too far, the opposite can also make the dining room look like a boiling alley. With wide-angle lenses, smaller and smaller shifts can make a big difference. That’s why I prefer to shoot with a tilting lens. It allows me to make small adjustments without moving the tripod.


Head Fixed Head: Mark of Pro

Speed ​​was the name of the game when I started shooting stock photos 15 years ago, so I liked my head for shooting. It was very easy to quickly speed up the gun and move on and get used to the next room. While the speed was good in the area, I quickly realized that I was wasting time on recovery. Vertical and horizontal lines are the hallmark of a professional interior photographer and there is no better way to achieve this than a straight head. Like tripods, target heads can vary greatly in price and quality. For me, I prefer a head that can quickly move a major correction and be lightly driven. These heads help keep everything level and make small adjustments much easier.


Camera bag: You can see me rolling

I always liked the backpack to carry my gear because it was easy and left my hands free. Over the years, my gear has grown and my back has stopped so I turned to one of our biggest objects - the wheel. I’ve tried many types of camera bags, read a lot of reviews, and pulled over a dozen streets of New York City. There are two things to consider: the type of tire and how tight the handle is. I've tried rubber tires, solid tires, plastic tires… but the best tires are in the swing line. They are very quiet, long lasting, and easy to change if needed. The second problem is the handle. If it seems dull or there is too much giving, it may end when you need it most. Find out what options are in your budget and buy the best you can afford to start your photography career. A good camera bag will last a long time with normal use.

Final Thoughts

The great thing about home photography is that you can start right away in your home. You don’t need style models or remote locations to start getting used to it. Even the same room at different times of the day can expose light and difficulty. Remember to keep your verticals straight, horizontal, and try to have fun while shooting. I've never had a room complain to me about making it look bad, and I bet you won't!

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