Comments on: Eleven Beautiful Architectural Photographs And How They Were Made

By: Simon Whitehead

Simon Whitehead — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:38:00 +0000

James, I’m genuinely interested to know the process the photographers you know use if they are taking 1 exposure and have no (or very little) supplementary lighting? Are they relying on ambient light and light fittings in the property alone? Are they taking long exposures and filling in the shadows with multiple flash pops? How are they capturing the dynamics of the sky and the shadows inside in one shot? Are they using a powerful light and a big softbox and blasting the ceiling?

Cheers

By: Ben Bates

Ben Bates — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Wonderful photos. Can anyone suggest what they think is the best book on real estate photography?

By: James Tarry

James Tarry — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:48:00 +0000

Hi George

Trying to highlight that the London Real Estate market differs extremely from the USA one is giving me a headache. If im doing private work-god yes, im taking all day however it doesnt work like that for the Real Estate Agents-not all the time. Not in london-a market i know and have worked in for a considerable amount of time.

1hr for £19m was an extreme example but it happened and happens, and it was the client that gave me an hour despite me booking all day out. Care-yes the agents and we care-in a market dominated by internet and print marketing we have to have top quality images or else the agent looks appalling.

As for not using multiple images (i know the difference)/HDR/fusion/lighting rigs its just something thats rarely done. I spoke to a friend who shoots for an interior magazine who laughed at using fushion/HDR or Multiple images. One light/softbox-thats all he uses. I know (european) architectural photographers-no lights, one exposure. Real Estate photographers-one exposure, one speedlight maybe two.

yes, Im sure there are photographers in London doing multiples but what i said was on the whole out of all the agencies/photographers that i know that shoot in London dont use the techniques in this blog and of which i feel needs to be highlighted.

Its not about short changing-ive been banging on trying to say that images of high standard can be done, and are being done very differently to those in this blog and i think it should be reflected.

I was advised to not have this discussion on here because to quote (although not naming him) “ive tried to highlight it before between America RE and UK RE photography…. and it went on for days… they just wont believe anything i say about how we shoot/exposures/lighting compared to them-in the end i gave up”

Thats all. I give up. Haha

By: Fred Glasser

Fred Glasser — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 23:51:00 +0000

Really great article Mike! Nice examples of some really stunning work & how they were created! I hope you have some more articles coming!

By: George Gutenberg

George Gutenberg — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:47:00 +0000

In order to get the images the way I want them, takes time. I make sure that the client understands that, and shares the my goal in getting the best image possible. Being rushed through a $25 million property in an hour? Not only doesn’t that agent really care about the process, but is short-changing the listing client.

By the way, multiple exposure does not necessarily mean HDR, or fusion.

George

http://www.GeorgeGutenberg.com

By: George Gutenberg

George Gutenberg — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:24:00 +0000

Great article Mike!

By: George Gutenberg

George Gutenberg — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:24:00 +0000

Great article Mike!

By: Andy_Milne

Andy_Milne — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:22:00 +0000

Great Blog … and even more interesting comments! I shoot weddings and events and have shot several homes for Realtors, so if I can learn just one new trick to add to my arsenal of techniques, any article is worth a read whatever the subject.
Being British and having lived in Florida for twenty years, I wonder if the ‘realness’ that James touches upon is a cultural thing! Whether it is a TV program, or film, the lighting seems a lot more natural in the UK, even the actors and actresses with their crumpled clothes and messy hair, compared to the American counterparts with immaculate pressed clothes and perfect hair! Sorry if it’s a bit off the subject but just an observation!
PS. There is an awesome architectural photographer in New York that only shoots available light.
http://interiorphotography.net/
Funny enough he’s from the UK!

By: Mike_Kelley

Mike_Kelley — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:31:00 +0000

Just like any genre, there are McDonald’s – quality companies charging $69 a shoot for a run-thru virtual tour all the way up to boutique and shelter magazine shooters billing into the five figures.

By: Violet Whitworth

Violet Whitworth — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:07:00 +0000

How much do real estate/ exterior/ interior photographers charge for 1 shot or 1 location? It’s something I have considered getting into, but I wouldn’t know what to tell people if they asked me.