Some Architectural Photography

[Janie]

Since I never see any in here, thought I'd share a few and get some feedback!

These are all taken with my Canon Xsi, external flash and Fong diffuser and my Canon super wide angle lens:

[jetrim]

Very nice work! Not crazy about the last one due to the clipped highlights at the window and the front corner of the pool running outside the frame (and to a lesser extent - the pile of exercise junk at the far end) but this would be a very difficult shot for anyone. The other 4 shots are wonderful! You did an especially good job balancing the different types of lighting in the first and second shots.

[Janie]

Thank you, took me a few weeks to master the vignetting with the super wide angle lens and getting the flash to cover evenly for the high end architecture I photograph without losing depth or sharpness.

The biggest challenge with shooting interiors is balancing the interior light and exterior light so you can see outside, especially on super sunny days, without the interior looking burned out or too dark. This is all done using only my external flash with my Fong diffuser! When I first started out i brought in lighting equipment galore and that one diffuser replaced it all!

The pool i thought was cool but the windows on either end had busted seams - usually you can see outside! The junk is gym area, but you can't see it too well past the Olympic sized swimming pool.

[Frog]

The biggest challenge with shooting interiors is balancing the interior light and exterior light so you can see outside, especially on super sunny days, without the interior looking burned out or too dark. This is all done using only my external flash with my Fong diffuser! When I first started out i brought in lighting equipment galore and that one diffuser replaced it all!

I think they are good but also noticed the corner of the pool.
If I was doing it, I would use hdr in such a situration and think shots like this is where hdr is the most useful and would even eliminate the need for flash.

[Janie]

Without flash i'd need a tripod and since I spend half my time taking in some odd positions to get the shot that a tripod could never do, that would be rough. There are days when i'm either smushed into a closet, behind a toilet or straddling a chair! LOL I shoot several hi-end homes a day and get them same day. For magazine shoots i'd have more time for editing, but I usually shoot 3-5 houses a day, edit about 2-300 photos per day on the average for my work. I rarely need to do any editing other than auto contrast and resizing using the current system, but the second and third shots were more the HD way (if anyone doesn't understand HD, you take 3 shots at different exposures (though I think you may be able shoot raw & adjust as needed) and layer them - it can be a little time consuming!)

[Janie]

LOL Here's one of my smushed behind the toilet shots in a bathroom with mirrors everywhere - before editing! This was a pain in the butt to shoot, literally! I don't like this shot, but the bathroom is just ugly and stark and very 80s. Ew!

[Frog]

If you're shooting and editing that much, I take back my comment about hdr.

[Janie]

Well, for magazine quality, HDR is probably preferred - though can you believe a lot of photographers i've worked with bring in a ton of lighting and set it up all over the place - it takes hours for one shot because they have to hide the reflections and and the burn out from the lighting. I probably get more business because i'm quick with fast turnaround, thanks to the big diffuser I use. It's amazing how fast you learn to work when clients are clammering for photos practically before you download them from your card! LOL My work is mostly for luxury real estate, extremely demanding and they don't want to pay too much either, so keeping Costs for Time spent down is a major challenge!

[Frog]

I've been interestid in real estate photography but never investigated how to get into it.
Some of the stuff I see on the web for lower end is really bad.

[Janie]

Oh, I know, and it's very competitive. Everyone with a camera seems to try to get into it without knowing how to really shoot a room. It's much harder than many people realize since lighting and interiors are always sooooo different. I've had rooms that are strong colors that really throw off the white balance, so if you don't know how to adjust the WB it will look awful. Also everyone is using those tungston color flourescent bulbs that throw an orange cast around them - it's awful! If you try to adjust for those bulbs, the entire room can look blue, so sometimes it's easier to just desaturate around the lamps then auto level it. I've had dogs getting under me, homeowners trying to get behind me to see what i'm shooting, some try to tell me how they think I should shoot it, but in the end, I get them to practically rearrange the entire house to make the rooms photograph better! It's really a combination of being a stager, looking through a buyer's eyes, photographer and virtual plastic surgeoun all in one. I have airbrushed cars out of front photos, added grass where it was bare and growing in, added flowers on plants... you name it! I love doing it, but some homeowners are verrrryyy difficult to work with, some realtors are too. If the house is overpriced and not selling, they try to blame the photos! LOL I have fallen and split shin open while shooting on a hill to get a shot, get bumps and bruises from squeezing in odd shapes and in tight spots... I should have someone follow me around one day and take pictures of me shooting! Would be kind of funny!

[jetrim]

Really impressed with your ugly bathroom shot Quite a feat to squeeze everything in without getting yourself in one of the mirrors.

[Janie]

LOL Why would anyone want so many mirrors in a bathroom! You could see yourself on the toilet from every angle! LMAO!

Heres a foyer with my award for the oddest decoration. Check out the "flower pot" in the center of the room!

[starriderrick]

Here's a foyer with my award for the oddest decoration. Check out the "flower pot" in the center of the room!
[/QUOTE]

I really like this last one Janie, that floor mirror really adds interest.

Rick

[Janie]

LOL Hey, I just shoot em! i don't decorate em! ;P HAHA!