Real Estate Photography

[HR-ZD403]

Hey. I'm an amateur photographer that's looking into practising real estate photography and possible having it turn into a side hobby/income.

Currently I own a Nikon D750 w/ 24-120 mm f4 VR. But I'm looking for opinions/suggestions on which other lenses I should look at and other equipment (tripod, tripod head, flash, etc.).

From some research I've done online two lenses stood out as options due to the wide angle cabaility are:
Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm F2.8 & Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm f4 G ED VR

While I know that tilt shift would be ideal for this type of photography, I don't see myself investing in those until I get more experience. I'd also like the ability to use the lense(s) for other photography, not just real estate.

Thanks!

[JordanLotoski]

^^ My Photographer might be hiring. I can PM you his details if you want?

[blitz]

It's a bit weird to go from one camera and lens to "what else do I need to buy to make money from this?"

Practise with the gear you have and add gear as you find a need for it or better understand what you need.

[msommers]

Either of those listed lenses would do just fine. Do you have a decent tripod?

Sometimes 24mm wouldn't be wide enough without stitching - bathrooms are notorious for this.

Maybe try renting and testing photos at your home to see what works best.

[HR-ZD403]

Originally posted by JordanLotoski
^^ My Photographer might be hiring. I can PM you his details if you want?

Hey Jordan, that'd be great and I'll reach out. Thanks I appreciate it!

[HR-ZD403]

Originally posted by blitz
It's a bit weird to go from one camera and lens to "what else do I need to buy to make money from this?"

Practise with the gear you have and add gear as you find a need for it or better understand what you need.

That's understandable, I'll practice with what I currently have and eventually probably get a wider lense within reason so that the image isn't distorted/misrepresented. As with any photography I understand composition is a key factor. Appreciate the feedback blitz!

[HR-ZD403]

Originally posted by msommers
Either of those listed lenses would do just fine. Do you have a decent tripod?

Sometimes 24mm wouldn't be wide enough without stitching - bathrooms are notorious for this.

Maybe try renting and testing photos at your home to see what works best.

Still need to invest in a tripod, which I've started to look into more now.

So far I know The Camera Store is the only place with rentals. Do you know any other locations? Thanks msommers

[msommers]

Vistek. I've found their rental department pretty good overall. Go to The Camera Store first though.

Absolutely get a good quality tripod. One of those items that you buy good quality once and it never needs to be bought again.

[Strider]

Originally posted by HR-ZD403
That's understandable, I'll practice with what I currently have and eventually probably get a wider lense within reason so that the image isn't distorted/misrepresented. As with any photography I understand composition is a key factor. Appreciate the feedback blitz!

Lighting is just as important as composition in real estate photography - a lot of RE photographers get away with bracketed exposures and HDR (although many overuse it and end up with horrid cartoony photos), some use multiple well placed strobes, and some only shoot during a 1/2 hour window at dusk (magic hour) to balance indoor and outdoor lighting.

Definitely something you can work on before you load up on gear. If you find HDR isn't cutting it, pick up a set like this: http://www.photogear.com/p-349996-yn-560iii-x2-tx-for-n-yongnuo-yn-560-iii-flash2-100-compatible-wireless-controller-yn-560tx-combo-for-nikon- and some flash stands/reflectors off amazon

[Mitsu3000gt]

Most realtors seem to pay around $150-220 for an average shoot (can vary based on property size of course). You need to drive to & from properties all over the city, shoot it well, process all the photos (HDRs, color correction, distortion correction, etc.), provide photos to the client within ~24 hours and have it still be worth your time. You can batch process to some degree but every photo still needs individual attention, especially if there are things like different color temperature lights in the same photo. It takes a lot of experience to be able to do that quickly enough to be profitable while still providing professional results unless you want to be working for $20/hr. Renting equipment would obliterate what precious little profit there is, but it sounds like you would just be doing so to practice.

[89coupe]

I use these guys.

www.zoon.ca

Their prices are listed.

[msommers]

Prices are so much better/higher in Calgary :(

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by msommers
Prices are so much better/higher in Calgary :(

Are they below $150-170 in Edmonton? That's crazy. Makes you wonder how anyone is making any money unless they are just pumping out shit quality with tons of volume.

[msommers]

Yeah it's below that, plus including virtual tours.

Really fucks with my whole side gig idea LOL

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by msommers
Yeah it's below that, plus including virtual tours.

Really fucks with my whole side gig idea LOL

Haha jeez, no kidding. That sucks! Didn't think it could get much worse than Calgary.

[msommers]

Actually since it's related, has anyone made virtual tours?

Thinking of adding this but not sure how much work is involved since some photographers have made mention of a 3D camera that is upwards of $4K USD, which isn't happening lol.

[89coupe]

Originally posted by msommers
Prices are so much better/higher in Calgary :(


You live in Edmonton? For some reason I thought you lived in Calgary.

[msommers]

You're right, but now I'm up here in Edmonton for grad school.

Brad, do you get sellers asking for virtual tours specifically? Or notice any trends when you do and do not have them?

[89coupe]

Originally posted by msommers
You're right, but now I'm up here in Edmonton for grad school.

Brad, do you get sellers asking for virtual tours specifically? Or notice any trends when you do and do not have them?

I have never had a client ask for the 3D tour you are mentioning. For my clients I always do twilight photos and a 2D virtual tour. I have a few clients who are currently shopping for homes as high as $2million and none of them could even be bothered watching a 3D tour.

As long as the home shows well on the listing, they want to see it in person.

I do know that wide angle, 6 bracket exposures blended are the best looking photos for real estate.

[msommers]

Great info, thanks!

[Mitsu3000gt]

6 shots? That's strange. It's always 3, 5, 7, 9, etc unless you're throwing out one.

[89coupe]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
6 shots? That's strange. It's always 3, 5, 7, 9, etc unless you're throwing out one.

I'm just repeating what one of the Photographers mentioned to me.

I recall him saying hid old Camera only did 3 bracket's and his new camera does 6?:dunno:

The more brackets the better I would think for blending purposes.

[Minimalist]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Most realtors seem to pay around $150-220 for an average shoot (can vary based on property size of course).

What crap pricing, not much in the skills department for only a couple hundred bucks. Who'd do the work for so little with all the costs involved.

I doubt it is that low. There must be $200 more in added fees.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by 89coupe


I'm just repeating what one of the Photographers mentioned to me.

I recall him saying hid old Camera only did 3 bracket's and his new camera does 6?:dunno:

The more brackets the better I would think for blending purposes.


It's not right or wrong, it's just unusual. Because there is almost always a neutral frame in the bracket sequence, you usually have an odd number of frames. With the huge DR on some of the cameras these days it's often not necessary to bracket so many frames, but some people still like bracketing 7 or 9 frames. Depends on the software you use too. Whatever works!

[Minimalist]

Hard to beat this for real estate photography. Add to it a seperate drone and you're set.
$4500 USD: https://buy.matterport.com

[blitz]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
but some people still like bracketing 7 or 9 frames. Depends on the software you use too.

A sub-discipline of photography that doesn't involve any shadows makes me sad.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by blitz


A sub-discipline of photography that doesn't involve any shadows makes me sad.

I tend to agree but there is nothing the real estate market loves more than shadow-less HDR's.

[msommers]

The auto industry is going that way too.

[89coupe]

It's photography as a whole. A good blended Photo will always look superior in my opinion over a traditional single frame.

[HR-ZD403]

I'm starting to gather some gear, but one item I'm struggling to decide on is the tripod head. I'm debating between a geared head or a ball head setup; from some research a geared will provide a bit more precision but a ball head would provide quicker adjustments. Any suggestions?

[blitz]

It really comes down to user preference. For strictly architectural work a geared head will probably be easier to adjust and quicker than a ballhead as you'll always want to be level horizontally (and most likely vertically). Note that it will only be easier if you're tripod legs are perfectly level, a levelling base can also be a good investment

A ballhead will be more versatile and a good one can be very precise, it just takes more practice.

A modular system (buying legs, head, base separately), is the best way to go so you can adjust your setup for specific needs.

My setup is:

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TVC-23-Versa-series-2-3-sections-leg
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TA-2-LB-Series-2-Leveling-Base-with-Platform
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TA-2-QC-Series-2-Quick-Column
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/TA-3-FRC-Versa-Rock-Claw
http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/Q20.php?req=Q20SK

I can run it with ballhead only, centre column + ballhead, levelling base + ballhead or levelling base + gimbal depending on what's best for the situation.

Check out RRS, Gitzo, Feisol, and 3LT

[Mitsu3000gt]

I think you'll be a lot happier with a ball head if you're going to use it for a bit of everything.