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My Megapixels Are Bigger Than Your Megapixels ~ Cropping...

By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Home Inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. TN Lic#050

August 28, 2010 12:37 AM

My Megapixels Are Bigger Than Your Megapixels ~ Cropping...

     Most everyone likes to take good pictures, whether it be with a pocket camera or a dSLR. The difference between a good shot and a great shot is what I call "wiggle room". Wiggle room starts with shooting with the highest pixel capacity your camera can muster.
     Cropping is one of the easiest techniques with which to start. I have used this post production in my film days and still do so in the digital arena. Cropping gets rid of unwanted clutter and allows you and your audience to focus on the subject.
     These two pictures of the butterfly were taken with a Kodak point-and-shoot that I use on my inspections. The first picture was the raw photo, the seconded was cropped.

     Using a basic photo editor such as Preview (MAC) or Microsoft Photo Editor (Windows) I can massage the photo to get rid of unwanted noise so that my subject is the main draw. You can drag your cutting tool to create your desired effect.
     TIP: For better effects, place your subject off center. Draw your audience into your photo. Utilize the law of thirds. Divide your canvas into a 3x3 workspace and work accordingly.
     While point-and-shoot cameras do not have the depth of field capabilities of dSLR's you can create some interesting effects with your pictures. The two photos below were taken with a 300MM lens, the first one was post production and the second was the raw. I offset the subject to draw your eyes into the photo.

If you find these posts helpful, let me know and I will continue to share what little knowledge I have. Here's hoping that your good shots will become great shots...

Complete Home Inspections inc.
"The Guys with the Hats"...

© MMX | michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc./complete video promotions | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com | email: chminspect@gmail.com

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Richard Shuman

The Only B.S. I Have is from the University of Massachusetts - Lake Mary, FL

Real Estate Broker - Orlando Area - Love Referrals

great tips

i can use all the tips you can offer!!!

Aug 28, 2010 12:52 AM

Patrick White

Home Driven Realty, Inc - Baldwin, NY

Driven to bring New Yorkers home

Good Morning Michael,

Thanks for the post. Have a great day,

Aug 28, 2010 01:02 AM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Good tips Michael. Never thought of off setting the subject.

Aug 28, 2010 01:30 AM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Michael, I am laughing because yesterday I was thinking that you must have used some wonderful lens...

I crop, try to offset, but you are just a genius at photography!

Aug 28, 2010 01:34 AM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Andrea, Thanks for the compliment. Lenses do play an important part. There is the knack that one just has to learn...

James, Marc and Ginny, try playing around with it. You may be surprised at what you can create...

Richard, I will post more...

Aug 28, 2010 01:43 AM

Jay Lloyd

Cape Coral Florida - Cape Coral, FL

Allpro Home Inspection

Hi Michael, I'll try dividing the canvas into 3x3, it makes for a more interesting picture. I've been using fotosizer to crop pictures and it works ...for the most part. I still wrestle with the out of focus closse-ups. jay

Aug 28, 2010 02:04 AM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Thanks, Michael. I do this with my bank properties.....but now I have new ammunitiion to work with. I clip clutter, but now I now to off set, etc. Great advice.

Aug 28, 2010 02:09 AM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Thanks for the lesson, keep it up. Most Realtors need help with making photos look better.

One put the toliet seat down before taking a picture. LOL

Aug 28, 2010 02:16 AM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning camera wizard!

Great points and of course I want you to keep them coming!! Thanks for sharing your secrets!!!

Aug 28, 2010 02:47 AM

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Michael, with your instructions, I almost feel like I could take the plunge and try it! Wonderful pointers!

Aug 28, 2010 03:20 AM

Don MacLean

New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA

Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

Great tips

Keep posting, we are learning.

Never even thought or heard about the 3/3/3 concept but your photos don't lie

Enjoy the day

Aug 28, 2010 05:03 AM

Damon Gettier

Damon Gettier & Associates, REALTORS- Roanoke Va Short Sale Expert - Roanoke, VA

Broker/Owner ABRM, GRI, CDPE

Please keep posting Michael! What camera do you use?

Aug 28, 2010 05:50 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Michael,

I go very basic and use irfanview which is a freebie but it works for my needs.

Aug 28, 2010 06:09 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Great tips here Michael. Cropping and offsetting your photos makes them much more visually appealing.

Aug 28, 2010 07:16 AM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Michael, Very well presented and this should be of value to anyone. I though Missy's comment was fun, " put the toilet seat down ". Photography is becoming so popular with so many. When people see what the possibilities are , they get all the more excited and actually think about it more.

Aug 28, 2010 08:28 AM

1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Michael,

Please continue with posts of this nature. You have great talent and skill that I am appreciative of you sharing.

So often "photogrpahy" people will say "center your subject". You have just demonstrated that is not always the best way in fact I really like these off center shots... they do draw the eye into the photograph more.

Aug 28, 2010 09:28 AM

Kim Darling

Keller Williams Westland Realty BRE# 01864461 - Fresno, CA

CRS,GRI, "Your Home Team" Fresno/Clovis Homes

great stuff Michael, thanks. I just point and shoot recklessly, lol, and rarely edit, guess that would help!!! :) I still want to know how you find so many beautiful nature shots and how they stay still. Just Amazing!!! keep sharing your secrets, I need them!!!

Aug 28, 2010 01:16 PM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Michael, I'd like for you to share some knowledge with me. Please read my blog for today and tell me if you know what my problem might be. Thanks for another great blog.

Aug 28, 2010 02:56 PM

Dan Quinn

The Eric Steart Group of Long & Foster Real Estate - Silver Spring, MD

Dan Quinn

Very good stuff Michael. We are all fans and appreciate your tips. Keep them coming for sure!

Aug 28, 2010 03:48 PM

Joni Bailey

101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX

Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

I rarely post a photo that hasn't been cropped. Those are excellent tips that make a pretty good photo a "great shot". Thanks!

Aug 29, 2010 08:30 AM