Tips for interior shooting.

This is what I'm impressed with! Especially the first shot. What
were the settings?
I will look and repost the settings. The photos that start with 699 are from my Canon with the 15mm fisheye, the others are my D100 with the 12-24.
Which wide-angle zoom? 15-30 or 12-24? Or even 17-40?
Good question, I read that the 12-24 is soft unless you go over f8.
Well for interiors, you will. I shoot between f10 and f16. For
your camera, I would go for the 12-24 (1.5x crop).
I may just rent it for a time. (1.6x crop, BTW)
Great idea!
My gosh, forgot the most important thing. Rule of thirds! EeeeeK.
Definitly read up on this. That is another reason for the grid
screen (not sure if you can change yours...)
I'm a landscape guy. I know all anout the rule of 3rds.
Duh, I missed that....sorry. :-)

As I get some settings, I will repost the info.
--
David

My fun galleries:
http://www.imagestation.com/member/?name=r00t&c=201

My side job:
http://www.davidsavkovic.com

'Photography is the art of not pushing the button.' - Frank Horvat
 
One is excellent composition,
Excellent composition is one that helps the viewer to feel like they are actually walking in on the scene. A sexy model is cool sort of looking up to, a portrait is great as if you and the person are interacting, and so on. To feel like you are walking in a room depends on its stature, Is it a rich room a bar, etc... helping normal perspective viewing.
Two is excellent exposure,
Therefore, you'd suggest shooting in RAW, right?
Three is nodal point if needed,
Nodal point works when you cannot get a full frame and you want to join images making it easy to join the images.
http://jpringlephoto.com/Pages/Canon%20TS24.asp
Four is using PS perspective control.
Using Photoshop to correct perspective and stitching.
Have a good tripod, a bubble level.
Ok
Learn how to look at ambient lighting as it mix with the interior

lighting.Whether you want a warm, soft or cool feeling. Also take a look at twilight when the street lights are getting a little above the exposure of the coming night, it make viewers feel for the time of day.
Meter every single light source.
For excellent exposure, I assume.
Have a color meter available.
Control of light color
Write down EVERYTHING.
Good idea
Preconcieve before you shoot and shoot with CONFIDENCE.
LOL
Enjoy your day and have a ball...
Thanks a lot!
Sol
:O)

break a leg (just kidding)

--
I love photography
--
I love photography
 
I agree with all the above. I much prefer interior shots (if
possible) using available light. If you have a very dark interior
and very bright exterior, you might put your 550EX (forget if this
is the flash you are using--sorry) on manual (manual flash as
opposed to ETTL) and just add a wee bit of foreground
flash--without being 'flashy'.
Sigma 500 DG Super, actually. And yes, I'll try this at home, too.
OTOH---if you are shooting these interiors in order to show the
rooms at their best and if there are large window areas, then you
will probably be better off to use ETTL flash, use M, choose ISO,
shutter speed and aperture to capture the room with a bit of detail
in/beyond the windows besides 'white glare' (many clients hate
blank 'white' window) and a correctly exposed interior. Its going
to be a matter of preference of your client. The nonflash,
available light pics are often lovely for magazine type shots, but
not necessarily what will help sell the product. If I were you, I
would try to get some input from the client on their preferences
first.
Ok
My commercial work is very specific--interior room settings for
furniture manufacturers, so consequently I do use flash-2/550,
1/420 on stands with umbrellas, but when I am shooting home
interiors, I tend to go with available light. My mainstay lens is
the Sigma 15-30 (I love using the 15mm FE, but its not reasonable
for this use). The 20mm is generally not wide enough, but I carry
it and also the 24-70L for closer work, but the 15-30 on
tripod/remote is great for interiors.
Which camera do you use?
--
Diane B
black and white lover, but color is seducing me
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries
Thank you for your fedback,
Sol
 
They would love the props to make it more inviting, if they are
using this for sales. Insurance shots don't have to be pretty. If
you're trying to sell real estate, if you're any kind of a
salesman, you want the most inviting, salable shot you can get!
I am not an agent, nor am I trying to sell property. The agency
contacted m to photograph their list of homes. Nonetheless, you're
right about needing the most inviting, saleable shot.
Look at it this way; the nicer the shots, the faster they sell those homes, the more they notice that the ones with your shots sell better, the more work you get from them! :)

Warmly,
Lonnit
Personally I'm appalled at the shots I see in the real estate
section of the paper. I swear they must go out of their way to find
the worst possible shots!!!
I think this applies to any shot found in any section of the papers!
Warmly,
Lonnit
Thanks for your feedback.
Sol
--
Please visit my gallery at http://pbase.com/lonnit

and offer your comments. Tell me what you like and what you don't, and why. I welcome all opinions. :) Then vote for your favorites!

 
I am not an agent, nor am I trying to sell property. The agency
contacted m to photograph their list of homes. Nonetheless, you're
right about needing the most inviting, saleable shot.
Look at it this way; the nicer the shots, the faster they sell
those homes, the more they notice that the ones with your shots
sell better, the more work you get from them! :)

Warmly,
Lonnit
 
I'm a Real Estate agent and the photos the industry average needs
the 24-70L should do just fine with. The wide side of the lens
will catch more than enough unless it is a really small room like a
bathroom but even then a good angle can do the trick. Something I
have done to get the right shot in the past is to open the window
go outside and remove the screen and then shoot into the room from
there.
This is something I might not have thought of! LOL!

Generally a nice wide shot of each room from its best angle
should do the trick
What do you think is the best angle? Of course, I realize that
there cannot be any pat formula to follow by rote for everything,
but in general, Do you shoot from a corner, low down or high up?
Like you already know... every shot is different but from a corner or doorway is definitely the most common place, it largely depends on the shape and size of the room.
and bathrooms are usually not necessary unless
they are uniquely extravagant.
Are the homes occupied, vacant or staged? If they are occupied
then avoid pictures with others peoples personal items and not
because of liability but rather so the potential buyer can better
imagine it as "their's" Make sure to use plenty of light.
Usualy occupied, sometimes not. When you say "avoid," do you mean
to physically remove the paintings off the wall and silk roses from
the mantelpiece, or to just shoot from a different angle, thereby
not including them in the shot?
Too much bric a brac clutters the imagination of the potential buyer and detracts from the appearance of the room. Personal pictures make a buyer feel like they are in someone else's home when they should be able to feel like they are in their new home as best as possible. "Sense of ownership" is critical in sales... If there are too many pictures (which have a large variety of taste of course) can only hurt. Plus a lot of wall coverings sometimes lend a more crowded or less spacious feeling. Just do the best you can but definitely stay away from shots with personal family pictures in them.

Avoid or temporally remove if occupant is not present, or does not mind as it is in their best interest. They should be taken down before showing the home anyway. Some agents are not too hot on preparing the client so you might be aiding in the sale prep by letting them know.
Also when you do your exterior shot try to get any vehicles moved
away for a nice broad shot. I would make a quick call to the tech
person at the MLS/Realty board and find out the exact maximum size
specs you can use and how many per listing since they vary greatly
with the many various MLS databases. Definitely go as big as
possible as multiple picture listings are becoming very helpful to
the trade. Depending on how many they allow you will know if you
need to group some rooms. The agents Will want to use these photos
for flyer's also so a hi-res file will also be useful for them to
print with.
I'll be going together with one of the agents, so they'll take care
of this. However, I'll probably shoot large/fine. Maybe RAW.
Which do you do?
I only shoot RAW as PS can convert for web use in a breeze and that way I have the maximum amount of adjust-ability available for post processing... there is no substitute for good old RAW
Thank you again for taking the time to help.
Regards,
Sol
You are very welcome, I'm happy to help and please let me know if I can help more.

--
Rod

t
tttttt
t
t

My ministry website http://www.PtLPS.com
 
... underexpose by 5 stops, focus all shots on 10m....

..OOps...!

..thought you said "inferior shots"... :))

(BTW, some nice advice here, it should get you started. Now where's that lenscap....)

--
JF
It has been requested of me to shoot the interior of apartments and
houses for (the website of) a real-estate agency.
My camera is the DRebel, with 24-70L and 70-200L.
Ought I borrow or rent a wide-angle, or will the 24-70 do? If a
wide-angle is nescesary, which? Canon 17-40, Sigma 15-30 or 12-24?
And why?
As I've never done this before, I sure would appreciate any tips
and ideas on how to do this. What time of day is best? Lights on
or off, using natural window light? How to make the room appear
larger or more homely? How to avoid clutter? Anything else?
Thanks very much in advance,
Sol
 
I'm a Real Estate agent and the photos the industry average needs
the 24-70L should do just fine with. The wide side of the lens
will catch more than enough unless it is a really small room like a
bathroom but even then a good angle can do the trick. Something I
have done to get the right shot in the past is to open the window
go outside and remove the screen and then shoot into the room from
there.
This is something I might not have thought of! LOL!

Generally a nice wide shot of each room from its best angle
should do the trick
What do you think is the best angle? Of course, I realize that
there cannot be any pat formula to follow by rote for everything,
but in general, Do you shoot from a corner, low down or high up?
Like you already know... every shot is different but from a corner
or doorway is definitely the most common place, it largely depends
on the shape and size of the room.
and bathrooms are usually not necessary unless
they are uniquely extravagant.
Are the homes occupied, vacant or staged? If they are occupied
then avoid pictures with others peoples personal items and not
because of liability but rather so the potential buyer can better
imagine it as "their's" Make sure to use plenty of light.
Usualy occupied, sometimes not. When you say "avoid," do you mean
to physically remove the paintings off the wall and silk roses from
the mantelpiece, or to just shoot from a different angle, thereby
not including them in the shot?
Too much bric a brac clutters the imagination of the potential
buyer and detracts from the appearance of the room. Personal
pictures make a buyer feel like they are in someone else's home
when they should be able to feel like they are in their new home as
best as possible. "Sense of ownership" is critical in sales... If
there are too many pictures (which have a large variety of taste of
course) can only hurt. Plus a lot of wall coverings sometimes lend
a more crowded or less spacious feeling. Just do the best you can
but definitely stay away from shots with personal family pictures
in them.

Avoid or temporally remove if occupant is not present, or does not
mind as it is in their best interest. They should be taken down
before showing the home anyway. Some agents are not too hot on
preparing the client so you might be aiding in the sale prep by
letting them know.
Also when you do your exterior shot try to get any vehicles moved
away for a nice broad shot. I would make a quick call to the tech
person at the MLS/Realty board and find out the exact maximum size
specs you can use and how many per listing since they vary greatly
with the many various MLS databases. Definitely go as big as
possible as multiple picture listings are becoming very helpful to
the trade. Depending on how many they allow you will know if you
need to group some rooms. The agents Will want to use these photos
for flyer's also so a hi-res file will also be useful for them to
print with.
I'll be going together with one of the agents, so they'll take care
of this. However, I'll probably shoot large/fine. Maybe RAW.
Which do you do?
I only shoot RAW as PS can convert for web use in a breeze and that
way I have the maximum amount of adjust-ability available for post
processing... there is no substitute for good old RAW
Thank you again for taking the time to help.
Regards,
Sol
You are very welcome, I'm happy to help and please let me know if I
can help more.

--
Rod

t
tttttt
t
t

My ministry website http://www.PtLPS.com
 
..OOps...!

..thought you said "inferior shots"... :))

(BTW, some nice advice here, it should get you started. Now where's
that lenscap....)

--
JF
It has been requested of me to shoot the interior of apartments and
houses for (the website of) a real-estate agency.
My camera is the DRebel, with 24-70L and 70-200L.
Ought I borrow or rent a wide-angle, or will the 24-70 do? If a
wide-angle is nescesary, which? Canon 17-40, Sigma 15-30 or 12-24?
And why?
As I've never done this before, I sure would appreciate any tips
and ideas on how to do this. What time of day is best? Lights on
or off, using natural window light? How to make the room appear
larger or more homely? How to avoid clutter? Anything else?
Thanks very much in advance,
Sol
 
My commercial work is very specific--interior room settings for
furniture manufacturers, so consequently I do use flash-2/550,
1/420 on stands with umbrellas, but when I am shooting home
interiors, I tend to go with available light. My mainstay lens is
the Sigma 15-30 (I love using the 15mm FE, but its not reasonable
for this use). The 20mm is generally not wide enough, but I carry
it and also the 24-70L for closer work, but the 15-30 on
tripod/remote is great for interiors.
Do you ever wish to go wider that the 15-30?

I am tossing between the 12-24 and the 15-30 on my 1D...Thanks. :-)
--
Diane B
black and white lover, but color is seducing me
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries
--
David

My fun galleries:
http://www.imagestation.com/member/?name=r00t&c=201

My side job:
http://www.davidsavkovic.com

'Photography is the art of not pushing the button.' - Frank Horvat
 
Don, if you're referring to the picture I posted - I agree! It's the basement of a $2million home on a golf course. You can see the pool room to the right, what you don't see is the exercise room off of the pool room and the office off the exercise room. The light coming from the left leads out to a tri-level deck.

The humidor on the bar was nearly full of Cuban cigars – I was tempted for a second to take one, but my better judgment won out.
Now that's the basement for me...
--
Using the camera to find and free the beauty all around us...
 
took the joke, sols.

too many people on these forums just can't take a joke, or respond with venom when somebody doesn't agree with them.

Glad to have "made friends" with you... :)

--
JF
..OOps...!

..thought you said "inferior shots"... :))

(BTW, some nice advice here, it should get you started. Now where's
that lenscap....)

--
JF
It has been requested of me to shoot the interior of apartments and
houses for (the website of) a real-estate agency.
My camera is the DRebel, with 24-70L and 70-200L.
Ought I borrow or rent a wide-angle, or will the 24-70 do? If a
wide-angle is nescesary, which? Canon 17-40, Sigma 15-30 or 12-24?
And why?
As I've never done this before, I sure would appreciate any tips
and ideas on how to do this. What time of day is best? Lights on
or off, using natural window light? How to make the room appear
larger or more homely? How to avoid clutter? Anything else?
Thanks very much in advance,
Sol
 
Has the 17-40 ever been a shortcoming on the 1D? I used to shoot
with my D100 and a 12-24. Now with my 1D, I can't decide between:

Sigma:12-24
Sigma:15-30
Canon:17-40

Currently, I use the Sigma 15mm fisheye on my 1D.

Thanks :-)....BTW - nice work.

--
David

My fun galleries:
http://www.imagestation.com/member/?name=r00t&c=201

My side job:
http://www.davidsavkovic.com

'Photography is the art of not pushing the button.' - Frank Horvat
Think about the new Tamron 17-35 DI. Great lens!
--
This is to much fun!!
 
however you spell 'replyers'...

Thanks for contributing to this thread, and answring the query to the best of your ability, happily and willingly. That is what makes this forum into a successful, informative one. Not for nothing has this forum been dubbed "University of DPR"! People usually help out others if they, in turn, have been helped out before.

I appreciate the help I've been given, and will reciprocate (, as before), in turn. Typing a reply to a question can take a while; answering several posts may take hours! ( I personally spend about 1 hour per day on the forums, reading and replying. I just can't afford more time...) For total strangers to share a lot of time and expertise and mental energy, is a phenomena that is amazing! It sure helps this world become a better place!
Warm regards,
Sol
 
One other thing to consider, is use the hyperfocal distance to
get the maximum depth of field and retain foreground focus.
Check out http://dfleming.ameranet.com/hyperfocal.html for more info.
Frank.
It has been requested of me to shoot the interior of apartments and
houses for (the website of) a real-estate agency.
My camera is the DRebel, with 24-70L and 70-200L.
Ought I borrow or rent a wide-angle, or will the 24-70 do? If a
wide-angle is nescesary, which? Canon 17-40, Sigma 15-30 or 12-24?
And why?
As I've never done this before, I sure would appreciate any tips
and ideas on how to do this. What time of day is best? Lights on
or off, using natural window light? How to make the room appear
larger or more homely? How to avoid clutter? Anything else?
Thanks very much in advance,
Sol
 
Can you get a grid screen for the D-Rebel?
What is a grid screen? To ensure a level shot?
Yes, I use mine all the time. Its easier than trying to eyeball the shot.

Can you give me the Canon number for the 300D grid screen and tell me how to install? I love grids and use them in my Nikon gear.

I dont why I thought that there wasnt a grid sreen available for the Digital Rebel?

Thanks,
Paul
Can you get a grid screen for the D-Rebel?
What is a grid screen? To ensure a level shot?
Yes, I use mine all the time. Its easier than trying to eyeball
the shot.
Also, the times you
shoot. I avoid shooting at high noon or if the sun comes screaming
into some rooms.
Good idea
Yes, its unavoidable at time, but I prefer later in the evening and
sunset. Some great colors can be captured.
Even indoors???
Yes, I am sometimes able to catch the sun streaming in through the
windows and casting a nice shadow of the window frames on the
furniture. Plus the nice orange glow is nice...sometimes.
Shoot RAW/Jpeg. Offer the JPEGs for viewing(online) and RAWs for
purchasing - saves time rather than processing EVERY Raw to find
out they only want 1 or 2.
I think they want only for the web. I don't know why not have
prints in the office - but they're paying...
Lights, lights, lights....watch those lights and blow outs. No
flash and some external lighting from you would help. I use
softboxes.
I normally shoot landscapes. I don't have lighting equimpent.
I'll just run it through PS to bring ut shadow detail.
Watch the noise levels when doing that. I am still learning too. I
had a pro photographer tell me that the quote he uses in his
photography classes is "Just because you can fix it in Photoshop,
doesn't mean you should." - ouch...I now am trying to get the best
I can right from the shot. I am purchasing a slew of lights in the
next few weeks....
Watch the reflections and distractions. Keep an eye on every
detail you capture.
mm hmm
Check out magazines. Most captures are eye-level or lower. No
angles, straight captures
By "angles" you mean diagonal "horizon" shots?
Sorry, I meant to watch the angles that some people do of rooms,
where they aim down or up and get some weird angle shots that makes
the room look somewhat triangular.
You can see some stuff in my link below. I am not a pro nor do I
claim to be. My later interior pictures get better....I am just
having fun and so should you.
Which album are the interiors in?
Here is one link:
http://www.davidsavkovic.com/bf/bfshoot2/index.htm
Items to buy:
1. I would go with a wide angle lens or Sigma 15mm fisheye (held
properly, you won't need to defish).
Which wide-angle zoom? 15-30 or 12-24? Or even 17-40?
Good question, I read that the 12-24 is soft unless you go over f8.
Well for interiors, you will. I shoot between f10 and f16. For
your camera, I would go for the 12-24 (1.5x crop).
2. Soft box or strobes for additional lighting.
I'll have to think about this one...
Yes, it can get very expensive. I have about $800 invested in
lights and am gearing up to spend about $1000 more.
3. Some small lights to lighten up corners, under tables, etc...if
the rooms are furnished.
ditto (probably PS, as above)
4. Tripod
check
5. Remote release cable ( make sure you have mirror lock up - don't
want that jiggle)
check
6. Light meter (Sekonik 358 is awesome)
right
7. Some props (if you need them).
good idea
I will usually bring a center piece floral arrangement, candles,
wine glasses, empty wine bottles (fill with water on location),
white grape juice (for the wine glasses), lighters (candles) -
candle should either be burning or have the wick burnt. Unburnt
candles look more like props than a part of the house.
8. Extension cords.
for the lighting equipment, right?
Yes.
9. Reflectors to control lighting.
uh huh
Foam board should be ok. Also, those car windshield covers. :-)
That should do it, I think...
Thanks so much for taking the time.
Sol
My gosh, forgot the most important thing. Rule of thirds! EeeeeK.
Definitly read up on this. That is another reason for the grid
screen (not sure if you can change yours...)

Here is a small link:
http://www.palmettobayinc.com/PhotoTutorials/thirds.html
http://graphicssoft.about.com/library/glossary/bldefruleofthirds.htm

Also just a Google search...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=rule+of+thirds

Take a look at some interior magazines and imagine the rule of
thirds. Notice how there is usually something in the foreground
(table, chair, couch) dark then as you go deeper in the photo it
lightens up. I so try to achieve that look. Its hard...

Ok, that should be it for now. Later you can get some cool books
like:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0240516729/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/102-4810993-5068906?v=glance&s=books&st=*#product-details

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/2880466717/ref=pd_sim_books_2/102-4810993-5068906?v=glance&s=books

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1890449075/ref=pd_sim_books_3/102-4810993-5068906?v=glance&s=books
--
David

My fun galleries:
http://www.imagestation.com/member/?name=r00t&c=201

My side job:
http://www.davidsavkovic.com

'Photography is the art of not pushing the button.' - Frank Horvat
--
'... they need no candle, neither the light of the sun ...'
 

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