House Photography and Lighting

[Shaggysnack]

I have recently began shooting for a home builder here in the Houston area. I get to shoot houses that have been built but have yet to sell. My responisibilites include exterior shots and interior shots, which is where my problem lies. Empty houses are not exactly "light-friendly". I open all blinds and turn on every light in the house before I even begin shooting. I also shoot with a flash. I still end up with shaded areas in some of the rooms due to many reasons, i.e. wall/ceiling angles, corners, pillars...etc.

Barring setting up a complete light set up for each room (not feasible since I shoot many houses a day), does anybody have any ideas or techniques they can recommend for smooth even lighting?

[CobyPhoto]

Been there and done that...try 6-8 softboxes and that 4x5 you have listed. That is what my set up for shooting the interior of homes was like. We used as many as 8 large soft boxes to eliminate shadows and illuminate everything as evenly and astheticly as possible.

Just using the available light and a flash, even multiple flashes will still leave you with shadows and dimly lit areas. Using the 20D is also going to limit your 10-22mm, with the 1.6 crop and add to your problems. Hence the reason we used 4x5 for most of the interior and exterior architechtural work.

CJ

[adirty1]

try finding some small flashes. the smaller the better. they will help you fill in and give you details in the shadows. we shot with out strobes a lot but then again it was film and we would us lots of tricks to get details in the shadows that i have no idea how to do with digital other than adding light where you can. the other thing you can try is small video batterypowered lights. Important thing is to balance the exposure to the outside. you don't want blown out windows in every shot. bouncing light in from outside is another trick we used. you need a plexi mirror that you can bend and spraying hair spray or a matte finish on it will help to soften the light some. you will need some one to direct the light and to squeeze or bend the plexi to help focus the light of the plexi mirror.

if you set your camera on a tripod and shoot 3 or 4 frames for just shadow details you can put them together in PS. little more time involved...but you will have the details.

[CaptainTom]

Have you tried any HDR techniques ??

[Shaggysnack]

Tom,
HDR techniques? What are they?

Adam,
I shoot alone so nobody to bounce the light in the correct direction but thanks for the idea. I may attempt to do it by myself. As for PS work, I know I can do it that way but they want quick turnaround, plus I have classes to deal with.

Coby
As for the 4x5, I would love to shoot with it, but lack the scanner for it. Maybe when they come out the digital backs for large format.......hmmm

Thanks guys for the ideas.

[HotHolly]

HDR rocks - I'll let Tom fill you in. I tend to speak in circles lately. ;o)

[CobyPhoto]

Ryan,

I forgot all about HDR! That might be a good idea as you work alone and need quick turn around.

HDR = High Dynamic Range; you will need photoshop CS2 or better to do it. The basic idea is to combine several photos, shot from a tripod, (get a remote release to minimize camera shake) and expose for the deep shadows, mid-range and the high lights. I usually take a reading from several different areas and choose a mid point, then work about 2 or three stops either side of this value to get a complete range.

You then take and choose File/Automate/Merge to HDR and then follow prompts.

CJ

[Shaggysnack]

Wow...what a great idea. I always shoot on a tripod with a remote and I do have CS2 so I am going to try it. Now that you described it, I vaguely remember reading about it in some magazine.

I just hope I can figure it out.

[CaptainTom]

HDR can take some practice to develop the outcome you are looking for.
Google HDR and you'll see some really cool stuff, and some crap.

I think that if you get good at it, you'll be much in demand.

[bondarnes]

Did you want the basic two day class or the full one week class on architechtural photography.

[Shaggysnack]

Well, of course I would want the full week class on architchtural photography but since I am already juggling classes at Sam Houston, I am afraid I do not have time for either.

[venchka]

...if I can do it. Single lens. Single flash. Single tripod.

[ndsimm]

nicely done...where was the flash and what were your settings? I'm guessing the shutter had to be slow since you mentioned tripod.....

[Shaggysnack]

Wayne
Did you use any HDR techniques? What, if at all, did you do in PS?

[TMayes]

Ryan,

Talk to Dr. S. about HDR. He teaches it in Digital II.