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Real Estate Photography: Getting Better

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Jinks Realty 0352394

In the interview with Britney Muller, there was a question about how my photography had evolved since I started in real estate.  My answer for her chronicled the different cameras and equipment I have used over the years, but I didn’t feel it adequately answered the question.  I thought I might show you, in pictures, how my photography has progressed.

 

Now before I start, I believe one can become a better photographer by only showing the good photos.  I’m going to show you some bad photos, you just have to promise to forget you ever saw them.

 

This was my first elevated dusk shot.  At the time I thought it was pretty good.  Taken OCT 2005 with a little Sony Cybershot strapped to a bull float handle.

Elevated Dusk


Nearly a year later I'm using a taller pole and better camera.  Shot SEP 2006 with a Nikon Coolpix 5400 on a 30ft telescoping pole.

elevated dusk 02

 

I wanted a way to enhance the twilight photos by adding light to the front of the house.  In this photo I'm using four 500 watt work lights.  Shot JAN 2008 with the Coolpix 5400.

lighted

 

A little over a year ago I advanced to using multiple flash units across the front of the house.   Shot APR 2012 with a Nikon D5000.

lighted 02

 

In this early photo, it doesn't seem to be in focus, the verticals are off and there's some distracting barrel distortion, not to mention the horrendous white balance.  Shot SEP 2006 with a Coolpix 5400 and a wide angle lens adapter.

kitchen 01

 

In this recent photo of the same kitchen over six years later, I would like to think my skills have improved.  In this photo, I'm using a DSLR and several flash units.  I also think the processing of the photos has contributed significantly to the improvement.  There is still plenty with this photo I would like to improve, but it is better than before.  Shot OCT 2012 with a Nikon D5000 and 10-24mm lens.

Kitchen 02

 

One thing that does frustrate me is to see those who have not been shooting long, produce photos far superior to mine.  But even then I try to learn from them how I too can become better.  I think it's all about the passion to become better.

 

The only reason I showed you my bad photos is to show that with continued effort, one can get better.  Now forget you ever saw the bad ones.

Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Hi Lee,

It looks like we have been both thinking along the same path tonight.  Thank you for sharing your "journey."   I haven't ventured out to the telescoping pole.   You have improved a lot and you seem "brave" enough to try the different types of shots.  I've typically waited for perfect lighting and took different  photographs throughout the listing period. 

Thanks for sharing what you've been doing.  Best wishes. 

Jan 18, 2013 01:45 PM
Lee Jinks
Jinks Realty - McAllen, TX

Sondra - You are doing it right.  The pole shots aren't really that hard or expensive anymore.  I really need to finish that book on PAP.

Jan 18, 2013 02:12 PM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide
I'll make sure my photographer has use of a long pole, those are some great shots, do like the elevated shot.
Jan 18, 2013 02:18 PM
Lee Jinks
Jinks Realty - McAllen, TX

Pete - If he doesn't, have him contact me and I'll share what I know.

Jan 18, 2013 10:52 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Lee, those are some amazing shots both exterior and interior. A local photography class on real estate I went to the guy told me about the pole shot which sounded pretty extreme and radical but from the results I see in your photos, wow, that altitude makes a difference. He also mentioned the dusk shots with the interior lights on being awesome for luxury homes and I see that as well. You're doing way above average with real estate photography from just the amateurs most do around here. Ha Ha, the second one looks like you are in a low flying helicopter :)

Jan 19, 2013 06:59 AM
Iran Watson
Georgia Elite Realty - Marietta, GA
Marietta Real Estate Agent - Photographer

I have every photo I have ever taken of real estate, and I mean all the way to the very first one.  Looking back on them now it is almost comical how much room there was for improvement.  But I stayed with it and eventually jumped in with both feet.  That kind of tenacity and perseverance leads to improvement, theres no way around.  As long as you are paying attention to what works and what doesnt work, commit to learning more and most importantly practice, practice, practice... you will get better.  Finally, no need to compare yourself to others, at least not in evaluating your worth.  Photography at its core is an art form and things like asthetics are purely relative.  At the end of the day, if your images are getting Buyers to the home, there are as good as they need to be.

Jan 26, 2013 01:17 PM
Paul Viau
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog - Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog + Photo Services

Lee

I'm shooting in RAW mode now .  I find that my shots have improved as well , when you compare with last season.   I will invest in some flashes that I can Slave off my main flash and try to improve even more the interior  shots.

 

I find it a real challenge with windows - Getting the views outside when its really sunny.  Without doing a combo shot and combining them in photoshop.

Paul

Looking forward to using the pole again -once this cold snap ends!

Jan 28, 2013 09:05 PM
Lee Jinks
Jinks Realty - McAllen, TX

Paul, the 'combo' shot is a good solution for windows.  Don't discount it.

Jan 28, 2013 09:18 PM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT
Lee, thank you for sharing these. I feel the learning curve is so great and am frustrated right now. Thanks for giving me hope. I haven't done dusk shots yet and can't imagine sending my expensive dSLR up on a pole, but I want to progress to those as well.
Jan 29, 2013 10:37 PM