Richard Gordon, who specializes in Architectural and Real Estate Photography in Houston, Texas, gave a short seminar to REALTORS recently in a brownstone that was for sale. He had taken the beautiful advertising pictures for the home. My daughter, Kristin, and I took the opportunity to attend.
Among the many topics he discussed were:
- Where you can take basic digital photography courses,
- Equipment that you really need to take the photographs,
- Lighting,
- Set-up,
- Post production.
The one section that caught my attention the most was the "set-up" of the pictures to show the rooms which are photographed in the best possible way. I knew when I was listening to him that this section wasn't too far over my head. I already knew a few of the tips, but I learned more. He taught us to:
- Shoot the pictures from the corners of the room. It makes the rooms look larger.
- Tell a story about the home by the pictures that you take and how you arrange them. Take them as you would normally proceed to tour the home yourself.
- In order to make rooms look larger you need to use your imagination. Plan your pictures. One way was to not take a picture of the corner of the room where two walls meet. If the picture ends before the corner is seen, then it makes the room seem to continue . . .and to appear larger.
- All lights should be turned on. Move lights around to get the best lighting you can if it's necessary.
- Turn off all the ceiling fans so that the fan won't blur your picture.
- Close any blinds upward so that you get better lighting for the pictures.
- Sometimes it's necessary to move furniture to get the picture to balance better.
- Sinks need to be neat and tidy and the faucet should be turned directly forward or perpendicular to the wall.
There were other ideas that he discussed, but I think these are the ones I needed to focus on.
Now I have to honestly tell you that when he started talking about DXO Optics Pro, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom/Elements and Paint Shop Pro . . . .he totally lost me. That information will have to be learned at a later date. I'm sure it will take me quite awhile to learn it.
If you would like to have Richard Gordon's contact information . . .please let me know and I'll happily give it to you. He will take photographs for all your marketing needs.
Meg and Jim Zoller - The Zoller Group of Keller Williams Realty, The Metropolitan
Please view our website, http://www.finehomeshouston.com/ . Also, feel free to contact us at:
Direct: 713-661-0884
Toll Free: 800-808-6153
E-mail: Meg@FineHomesHouston.com or Jim@FineHomesHouston.com
Cells: Meg - 713-875-4844 Jim - 713-545-6338
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