Quote from: JPSDK on January 14, 2014, 18:09
I also used strobes for  the above picture.

You have 2 ways of controlling the exposure, the amount of light you let into the camera. Aperture and shutterspeed.
And you have 2 lightsources: Ambient light and Strobe light.

Now set your camera (on tripod) to expose correctly for the stobes, after some experiments you will get an aperture and a shutterspeed that works.

But the shutterspeed doesnt matter much with strobes, since they flash in milli seconds. So you can  lower the shutterspeed and such get more ambient light into the camera.

In reality you may want to do more, like stepping down as well and
Move the strobes back and forth, turning them up and down, and even as a last resource fiddle with iso, it is possible to expose all light sources in the frame correctly.
In the above picture, note that also the candles are correctly exposed, and that took some experimenting.

I have had such ambient/ strobe situations, that ballanced so delicately that I had to get the right exposure by stepping up ISO.

When  I do interiors I usually bring one very powerfull strobe, that  I bounce from a corner in the cieling and let ambient light create the style or twist in the image.

WOW thanks so much for the excellent info.!!

Quote from: JPSDK on January 14, 2014, 13:42
HDR is a good idea.
Else tripod and  flashes, eventually long exposures and paint with light.

plus
shutterspeed for ambient light
and
aperture for flash

Very nice! That is what I am after -- I should have bracketed to that level -- will next time

What do you mean by "aperture for flash" ? -- I shoot with a Canon L 20mm fixed at about f/14 for DOF

When I tested at home with strobes and giant umbrellas, it over-powered the nice ambient light. Some pros I saw using strobes had weak portfolios IMO. HDR seems to work best if not over-processed.

For shots with models and ambient light, i have to raise the ISO (ugh) to shoot at minimum 1/60 SS. Then fix the noise in post. PLUS bracket down for the windows for post work.


BTW -- since i am retouching this morning -- I did my thing on your photo. I will post it if  you approve of me doing that. 

Quote from: enstoker on January 14, 2014, 06:50

Quote from: oxman on January 14, 2014, 05:52
BTW -- I am totally open to any critique  of my shots 

Nice shots.
Take the job, use hdr, enjoy.
Your RE friend will need You again and again.
When did You earn with stock 1200$ in two days?

Thanks will do and good point about the $$$ 

BTW -- I am totally open to any critique  of my shots 

Quote from: ShadySue on January 14, 2014, 02:31
Can an estate agent sign a property release on a house?

I doubt it. I had the home owner do it. 

Quote from: Ed on January 14, 2014, 02:26
I would take it.  Here's the deal, most real estate agents use their iPhone.  For real estate sales getting your foot in the door (no pun intended) is insanely difficult.  If you're consulting Scott Kelby books/blogs/tutorials to brush up before a shoot, then quite frankly, you aren't worth $1,200 and if you think you're going to get a $1,200 day rate elsewhere, then you're dreaming and you shouldn't be asking about this on a microstock forum.  Even $600 day rates are tough to come by these days.

There are real estate photographers here where I live that are competing against each other at $75 - $85 per house and there are real estate agents here complaining about that price - including travel expenses.

I say take the gig, get property and model releases, grant them exclusive rights to use the images for a year, then market them as stock once their contract is over.  Use the spare time while you're traveling to get some travel images.

Thanks Ed and great reply!! 

I've read where RE photographers are indeed shooting for those low fees and I don't want to waste my time with peanuts. So I do not plan to add this to my service offering unless I can get more money. And you are right -- i am a newbie getting my chops sorted.

I have decided to do the shoot for the experience and adventure. Nice people and really into awesome wines so Viva De Napa!!

I get MR and PRs on these and make that clear going in so I will be able to leverage the shoot to micro stock. Like the travel images idea too!!

Thanks again...

Bill

attached is my favorite shot from the shoot. HDR and yes that is the moon up there in the sky.

Blown out windows OOPS!!

Quote from: ComfortEagle2095 on January 14, 2014, 00:01
If they have enough money in the budget to pay more than one model, how come they can't cough up a reasonable fee for the photog?  Sounds a little funky.

It's an all day assignment with post-processing.  I wouldn't do it for less than $600 and I'd normally ask for $900.

The models are her son and his girlfriend - doing it for free. They both are very attractive and she has modeled for me often. I would like to get $1500 for a day shoot with a defined shot list. She had a guy but he wants $200 per hour... I told her that I had not shot architectural but she liked my portfolio and wanted me... then I spent hours on YouTube and Kelby ramping up LOL.

The shots came out great on the first shoot but I failed to bracket down enough  to expose for the windows...oops so they are blown out. Newbie error but I know now.

Quote from: noodle on January 13, 2014, 20:58
so your probably looking at 2 full days of work minimum
1 day to shoot 1 day to process  for a minimum of $100/day and at the best $600/day

she got you for $200 initially and thats where she expects it to stay

I would say - in addition I want model release and property release so that you can at least take some of those shots and sell them on your own providing perhaps a little buffer for you if the deal craps out.

I got the MR and PR on the other shoot but only the sauna shots should be marketable. Models standing on massive staircases might not sell so well -- so I don't think general interiors with models being models will be in demand. Sure I could start working concepts into the shoot but with agent and home owner over my shoulder that might not fly.

I might just take it for the experience and shoot without strobes. Won't cost me anything and I was considering moving and Napa was on the list. The adventure factor is an angle -- at least that is what I am trying to convince myself...

Your friend is an idiot 

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on January 13, 2014, 20:12
I wouldn't.  That sounds ridiculous.  For $200 on a $5 million house, you get me and my iphone for 20 minutes .  She must not think she's a very good agent "if" it sells...

That is what I am thinking. Sure it would be nice to visit the area but most of my time would be pressed up to a camera back and sliding light stands around. Run-and-gun day shoots are exhausting and post on these shoots is extensive. She makes over a hundred grand commission if they sell and she does well but these homes take A LONG time to sell.

A real estate agent is offering to pay me $200 and cover food, lodging and air travel (San Diego to Napa Valley by San Francisco) to shoot a five million dollar home with models (she pays models and arranges). IF the property sells, she will pay a $1000 bonus to me.

This will be a one day shoot, many with strobes and most with available light bracketed for HDR to capture window data so they don't get blown out. Guessing about 20 to 30 processed shots -- post will be HDR, color corrections, clean up and wide angle distortion correction.

Architectural photography is new to me and still sorting out my chops but my first shoot blew her away (she paid $200 which I accepted since I was learning). I thought I would add it to my offering but read on other forums that real estate shooters make about $100 to $350 per house! Just not enough for me.

Would you take a contingent assignment like this? Are RE photographers really shooting for such low fees?

Thanks for your thoughts

Bill

fridays suck

If you want the best possible on a budget get a full frame sensor used or refurbished Canon 5D Mark II. The 50mm is good, the 18-55 is crap.

* -- well I won't mention my San Diego weather then 

I hate the 24/70. Sold mine. Too much CA and S-U-C-K-S (leaf really?) in dust. And no Image Stabilization. Get the 24/105 which has IS and less CA. Only goes to f/4 but I use the 50mm f/1.8 if I need smaller DOF.

Gonna buy a 17-40mm since I just got a home interior shoot

Perhaps SS is seeking new shooters that show they have an "eye" for interesting design and composition. Your shots say "I walk around and just take pictures of stuff".

Not meaning to be harsh but you should consider different angles, close-ups, unique light etc... and not so much shooting like an insurance adjuster.

Sorry for the tough love. 

I just bought myself a christmas present. B&H just slashed the price and I went for it. This has been on my wish list all year. My Apple Cinema 30 is kinda burned out. Can't wait!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758873-REG/NEC_PA301W_BK_MultiSync_PA301W_BK_30_Widescreen.html

cool stuff...wearing my art director hat::: i would like less camera shake ... well actually... none

can they use a tri or monopod?

Down this morning but back working now.

FOOD is one tough and saturated category. Kinda like CHRISTMAS. Might wanna rethink that if you want any decent ROI.

I did a series of a guy washing my BMW. Anything showing a headlight or tail light went right to executive review and has been there for about two months. I expect them to be rejected... 

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on December 26, 2013, 02:09
My success comes with Pond5. They allow you to set your own price. They give you 50% commission. They'll cut you a check for $100 or more. Their uploading for video clips is smooth (I use Filezilla). And SS.....? Low commission. Poor uploading system that's tediously slow. And now you need a minimum $500 before they'll cut you a check. And Pond5 checks arrive more than 3 days earlier than SS. Both agencies accept just about everything and anything and that's where Pond5 has a perfect set-up. The better the clip, the higher the price. SS wants to punish. Pond5 wants to share success equally and despite being far lower on the totem pole, I generate far more clip sales with Pond5 than I do with SS. That's why I don't bother with SS anymore.

Great information... MUCH appreciated

Quote from: Gannet77 on December 25, 2013, 19:51
Depends what you mean by "worth it" - I started doing simple video with my 5D II a couple of years ago, and submitting to a few agencies.

I don't have a large portfolio and it's mostly simple, static stuff, but I do enjoy trying it out and intend to keep going; it's fun.

As for demand, no, there's not a great deal of it, at least not for easy stuff;  I've made a grand total of about $900 or so all year, is all. 

The only sites where I have had any sales are SS, Pond5, iStock and ClipCanvas.

The waiting times for approval are very short on SS and Pond5 (a day or two at most), somewhat more on iStock, and I don't know what's happening at ClipCanvas - they used to be quick, but my last few submissions have waited months until I emailed them asking what was happening, at which they were instantly reviewed and accepted.  They seem to be having difficulties, which is a shame because I quite liked them.

It does take extra effort, but there are no instant returns in this game;  you have the equipment, why not make use of it?

Thanks very much for the information!

Submitting video: Is it worth it?

I was thinking about shooting video with my 5D Mark II and was wondering if it was worth the time and effort.

Is there really much demand? I hear approvals times are very long. Is the ROI satisfactory? Any advice? Where to submit?

Thanks for your comments.