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Are the photography groups dead?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Jinks Realty 0352394

Is it me or have the various photography groups been pretty dead?  A couple of years ago, we had tutorials or tips on taking better photos almost daily.  For instance, the purpose of the photography group is spelled out in the left panel:

"Some folks here just want to take better shots of their listings. Others are confirmed Shutterbugs. The Photography group chats about equipment, tips and techniques for all types of Photography."

Today we have an excuse for each day of the week to post photos.  Don't get me wrong, I like good photography, but as an emerging photographer, I'd like to know how you did it so I can improve as well.  Do you think we will ever get back to helping each other make better pictures?

So you don't think I'm just a stick in the mud, here's a few of the photos I'm proud of.

Friday night fireworks on SPI Moon

pier

the Alamo

The fireworks shot was taken with about a 3 second exposure.  I had scouted out a location earlier in the day so that the bridge would be in the background.

The moon shot is really two separate photos.  A full moon earlier in the month and a quarter moon joined together in photoshop to make for what I consider an interesting view of the moon.

The pier is me just playing around with the new camera.  It's just an example of composistion using the rule of thirds.

This old walkway was taken on the south side of the Alamo in San Antonio.  I took a lot of good photos on that trip on the riverwalk, of horse drawn carriages and the architecture.

Edward & Celia Maddox
The Celtic Connection Realty - Queen Creek, AZ
EXPERIENCE & INTEGRITY - WE TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

Some nice photos. Seems not too many sending anymore.

Sep 24, 2009 02:38 AM
Judith Reppert
United Country Countryside Realty - Mount Vernon, MO

I'm not in any of the photography groups, just wanted to congratulate you on the cool fireworks photo.  I thought that Alamo photo looked vaguely familiar, haven't seen that in 20+ years.

Sep 24, 2009 03:33 AM
Jeff Engle
Neighborly Realty - Lincoln, CA
PlacerAreaHomes.com

Your right about the postings in the photo groups.  I get most of my information from the Photography for Real Estate website and the Flikr group of the same name.  Larry Lohrman has a great book on Real Estate Photography on the website for those wanting more technical details.  Use Flickr to post pictures and get great constructive feedback.

Sep 24, 2009 03:57 AM
Lee Jinks
Jinks Realty - McAllen, TX

Jeff, that's were I get all my good information these days as well.

Sep 24, 2009 05:44 AM
Michael Cole
CPG Tours - Corona, CA

Hi Lee,

I think you're dead-on with your observations. In fact, a little early this morning I stumbled across one of Bryce's posts, and wondered what ever happened to him. He used to do some great tutorials.

I've written a few tutorials on photo retouching, but I don't know what other kinds of tips people are interested in.

BTW - the fireworks shot is awesome! Thanks for sharing.

--

Sep 25, 2009 12:50 AM
Ted Baker
Carmody and Associates LLC - Winter Haven, FL
MidFloridaMediation.com

Lee - I am not sure the newer users of Active Rain use the group structure for navigation the way the more seasoned Rainers do.  I think the emphasis is on the channels now.  

But for those of us who are still here, the Photography groups are dead only if we let them die.  We are all short of time to spend on activities not directly related to work - but for many of us, the time spent on Active Rain is interesting and rewarding.  I have learned a lot from you and other writers in the photography groups.  Particularly about HDR photography and use of software to enhance (or correct) my images. 

It is up to all of us to provide content to the groups or to ask questions seeking solutions that the highly qualified readership here can provide.  The information provided in the photo groups is terrific because not only are our contributors very competent and knowledgeable, they are trying to solve the same problems we all face every day in the same line of work. 

Thanks, Lee, for your contributions and thanks to all who provide content for these specialized groups.  I am featuring this post in the Photoshop Elements for Real Estate Group.

Sep 26, 2009 12:21 PM
Lori Bonicelli
Bonicelli Design - Marietta, GA

I am new to the group and plan on spending a lot of time reading all the old posts to catch up. :)  I am not a professional photographer, but sometimes I have to take pics for realtors that dont have the time to take them themselves.  I want to make sure that my pictures are the best they can be......  on my .... Canon PowerShot SD960 IS....  yeah, that is what I have. :)  dont laugh!  

Sep 26, 2009 01:51 PM
Michael Cole
CPG Tours - Corona, CA

Hey Lori!

Welcome to the group. And no need to apologize for your camera. Canon makes some great stuff. In fact, I just did some retouching on a shot that had incredible detail. So much so that I had to look at the EXIF info to see what camera it was shot with. Sure enough, it was a Canon PowerShot G10. Granted, that may be higher-end than your model, but it was still a PowerShot none the less.

 

Sep 27, 2009 05:43 AM
Lee Jinks
Jinks Realty - McAllen, TX

Lori, until very recently I shot with a 2003 model Coolpix 5400.  Your PowerShot SD960 IS is a much better camera.  It's not ultra wide, but has a 28mm wide end to the zoom lens and it has Image Stabilization.  I think this camera will take you a long way in learning real estate photography.

Sep 28, 2009 02:08 AM
Photo Photo
Chicago, IL

Lee, thanks for giving everyone a bit of a kick. I like writing the tutorials and have been a bit of a slacker for quite some time now. I really like mine to be full of content and extremely elaborate...which keeps me from writing them a bit too often...I will get back on it :-)

Sep 28, 2009 04:08 AM
Eric Lee
Realty Executives - Phoenix, AZ
e-PRO, SFR - Phoenix, AZ

LEe - How about this for livening up real estate photos - 3D pics!!! 

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/3d/camera/finepix_real3dw1/index.html


This camera probably isn't wide enough at 35mm but who knows what kind of effective angle of view it has with 3D imaging, and if it takes off how far behind can wider lenses be?

Oct 01, 2009 05:46 PM
Michele Hess
Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL
Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

Trying to learn more about real estate photography, so I always enjoy reading the instructional posts.  I especially like your photo of the old walkway in San Antonio.  Stunning!

Oct 02, 2009 11:29 PM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

I've been missing the how to in these groups, so thanks for your post Lee cause I have nooooo idea what the heck I'm doing when it come to photography!

Oct 04, 2009 02:04 AM
Michael Yearout
Michael Yearout Photography - Breckenridge, CO
Michael Yearout Photography

It would save every real estate agent time and money to just hire a professonal real estate photographer.  You get great, show-stopping results for just a few hundred dollars.  It gets you more hits, more calls and a quicker sale.

Be a real estate pro and do what you do best - sell real estate.  Leave the pro photos to us pro photographers - what we do best.  It's a great combination.

Just my .02 worth.

Michael

Oct 08, 2009 12:12 PM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Evening Lee,  I was wondering the same thing.  Some of the contributors ( like yourself ! ) have so much to add !  I'm sure things will pick up.

Oct 08, 2009 12:41 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Well I'm glad I stumbled onto this post.  Might I suggest you post a link to your Flickr page?  Those are some nice pictures, especially the moon.

Oct 08, 2009 09:23 PM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

I have been off the radar for a while but I am back.  You are right, not much happening here.

Oct 12, 2009 02:12 AM
Kathy Anderson
Arizona Luxury & Lifestyle Living - Cave Creek, AZ
Arizona Homes For Sale

Boy I hope not!  I haven't come around much in the last 9 months but last year there was a wealth of great info in the groups to learn from.   I wish I knew more to share.

Jan 01, 2010 05:10 PM