Taking photo of newly build house

[sbp]

Someone is offering me work to take photo of newly build house.

One side has rock-sheet in. other side is open. they want house fram in photo. Electric is not done yet. This is not like my typical house it is huge mension. 8000+ sqft.


Question
How much do I charge?
How do I take photo? Do I need special equipment? special time frame?. How do I put all this togather in DVD. Any software. I think If I can justify need for it price won't be a problem.
I am going to check place in two days. If everything works out they want this done early next week.

[sbp]

wow no one has experience on this. May be he want to create virtual tour of his home?

[ndsimm]

I do real estate shooting, but it mainly just basic interior and exterior shots for web site and magazines. does he just want the slide show on DVD or actual video? If he is doing that 360 virtual tour, that requires a special camera I believe.
As for charging...I just quote my standard hourly rate with a two hour minimum...

[sbp]

Ok now comes photo technical part.
House is way bigger then what I thought around 18,000 sqft.
I have given quote and it is final. I got a go shoot over the weekend.

One side is facing sea. half of the house has sheet rock.
In wedding in M mode I generally uses F2.8 to F5 maximum.
Do I have to use higher F stop here? to get better overall view. What is good software to stich photo. Can I have multiple menu in pro show gold software? As they need dvd with multiple menu.

Any other recommendation is welcome.

[sbp]

hmm looks like no one visit this section. Let me ask same question in photo-tips section.

[epoh]

Since they are wanting to document the building of the house, I'd go for the smallest f-stop you can. I would imagine they want everything in focus.

[Hogleg 44]

I will throw my thoughts in for you.

There is something odd about this one though. You state that part of it is sheetrocked and part of it still does not have the electrical ruff-in??? This is a little odd as all elements of the construction are normally done at the same time and not part finished and part unfinished,(???)

It is a very good idea to photograph a home while it is under construction. It can mean a lot if problems occur after the home is completed. It can save a lot of time to have a sort of X-Ray vision inside of the walls to be able to know where various framing , electrical and plumbing components are located. Assuming this is the peoples objective I would suggest...

Photographing the sheetrocked part is virtually useless as everything will still be visible upon completion.

The unfinished area would best be photographed after all of the Ruff-in's are done, (electric, heat and air, and plumbing) and before the insulation is installed. Then shoot every possible angle of all areas of the construction. Both sides of all interior and exterior walls. Shoot the attic from below and from above. Pay extra attention to all Heat and Air piping from as many directions as possible. Keep obvious known reference points, such as chimneys, bathroom plumbing stacks, electrical panels and their feeds, in as many of the shots as possible.
Keep in mind that when the house is finished and insulated, nothing will look as it does now. Things that are plainly visible as to their location will be camouflaged when it is all done. The same is true of the pictures you take. You might even go so far as to mark a photo location on a stud with a marks-a-lot.
You want to use the smallest F stop you can, and get all of the lighting you can as some of the remote area's are going to be quite dark. Whatever lighting you can manage to haul around as you crawl through the different areas will be much appreciated later.
The lighting is very important, Don't skimp!

Hope this helps!!!

[sbp]

Oh thanks for long reply. when I said it is sheet rock I mean from one side so other side is still open. All electric is done. All piping and AC is done as well. Only electric left is motor driving window and we are not concern much about it. Only one small room has sheetrock on both side.
Few room has sheetrock on one side most of the parts are open. They will delay this for two more day I can get this done over the weekend.

When both of you says smallest f stop means higher f number right?

I have D20, flash 580, lense 24-105L and 18-55. I might have to rent light with battiers. Where can I rent that from?

[epoh]

Yes, higher f stop number. Remember the f stop is actually a fraction, so when you see f/32 that is much smaller than f/2.

Also, definatly rent a good flash. That won't cost you hardly anything (I think I can rent a flash for like $5 from Arlington Camera.) Just call around to local camera shops.

[sbp]

Sounds good.

Does anyone know where can I rent external light that power up with external battires. or flash in houston?

[sbp]

This is going to be fun project. something different then everyday stuff.

[sbp]

I took 1200 photos and half house is finished. I used f14 and 1/6 shutter speed. ISO-800 as it was dark. started from left to right clock wise. number each room. now I have to put all togather and go shoot one more time for other half.

[Hogleg 44]

Wow! Must be a site to see! 8000 Sq ft is a lotta house!