Here’s my second iGuide attempt. A lot better overall. I don't like the way they presented my exterior spherical's, just listed them. But overall, I liked the 3D virtual experience for the townhouse.
Adding a new tool to the toolbox.
I started my real estate photography career by doing a job for a friend and real estate realtor. I was a small job, but I provided a 3D rendition and still imagery of a condo in Arlington, Virginia. It took a little longer then expected. I was using new equipment and I wanted to make a good impression. The still photographs were accomplished with a standard Nikon D850 and SB900 flash unit. Really a mixture of HDR techniques and fill flash. I think the results were fantastic for shooting empty rooms.
The real new technique for me was using the IGuide camera system. A mix of spherical images and Lidar technology. I was able to produce an accurate floorplan, down to the millimeter. Each room was carefully scanned with the Lidar, as I took the spherical images and walk through space. I made some technical mistakes, but with my experience from my government job, I was able to fix them in post. The stitching software from the IGuide company is not as good as my old standard PTGui Pro software. But it was an easy fix with the drafters from the company.
Once I figure out how to incorporate my IGuide into my Squarespace website, I will post it.
National Camera Day
National Camera Day was recently and I posted my first camera online, a Polaroid Land Swinger. What I should have posted was my recent purchase, an iGuide camera with Lidar. The iGuide is designed for working in real estate photography, producing floor plans with a virtual viewing experience. Pretty much what I do for the Federal Government, except all in one, one-stop-shop.
This is part of my retirement strategy, real estate, drone photography and virtual viewing experience. I will also include other services like portraiture, headshots, and regular flat/still photography. I might as include video. You always need a plan when you retired, this is mine. It might take a few years more at the Federal Government, and a few years on my own to develop a name and place in the industry, but I'm going to try.
My Polaroid Land Swinger camera.
IGuide camera with Lidar. Basically a Canon camera, infrared laser and storage and control unit.
The need to really work your subject
I generally find myself having one good view in my mind and then I’m finished with the subject. So, I’ve been trying to break that habit and work my subject. The first image is what I first saw when I view this flower. The second image is me working the subject, by changing my technique and reversing my approach.
The first image is lit with two small raw lights, lighting my subject and using F/32, to bring every thing into sharp focus. My second attempt is the reverse. I project my two lights through a clothe which soften the light and added some fill. My aperture was about F/5.6 and I focus in the center of the irise. I even flipped my image 180 degree because of the way I had to photograph the flower.
Controlling your lighting.
I’ve been working at my current photography job for too long. In law enforcement, you light your subject with even lighting to bring out the details. You try not to put emotions into your subject. You can tell my lighting isn’t the most creative, it’s basically cross lighting, with equal amounts from both sides. Some of that is because of a lack of proper equipment. That means, far enough reach for my tabletop lights. My next step is to diffuse my lighting setup and produce less stark, more indirect lighting on my subjects. Well here’s this week’s subject.
