^ what are you photographing specifically? Details in the kitchens or bathrooms, or the rooms as a whole?

First off, what lens are you currently using?

The lens is going to marginal in getting that professional look. But something like a a fast, wide angle prime would probably fit the bill. I think there is a Canon 28mm f/1.8 or something out there that comes to my mind.

The key is going to come in you learning how to handle your camera and get what you want out of it. Also, post up some samples so we can help you with issues. I need to see the results you're currently getting before I can help.

- Scott

^ kit lens I believe Scott.

And Scott is dead on, I was thinking youll most likely want a fast WA lens as well.

Well honestly, if you're going for professional shots of interiors, a tripod and lighting are the first 2 things you'll want to use over a fast lens. Sure a 28mm f/1.8 will let you hand hold with better results, but just using a tripod, good custom white balance, and getting your lighting right will do WONDERS for you shots. And actually the kit lens, since it's 18-55mm, will probably work best because I'd imagine you want wide shots inside like that.

OK, let's take this shot as an example:


with my exif viewer, I can see how you shot it (or the camera):

• Exposure Time = 1/60"
• F Number = F4.5
• ISO Speed Ratings = 400

So you're using auto modes, which is actually a good thing when you're learning. Once you know why the camera is doing what it's doing in those modes, then switch, until then, keep using them.

The 1/60th is generally the slowest speed you can hand hold a camera. The camera knows this so it will use that when it notices low light. The f/4.5 is the aperture. That's how much light the lens lets into the camera (this is the most for the kit lens at 35mm I think). The ISO is the signal/noise ratio. 100 is "the best" but it's better to bump that up to keep the time at or above 1/6oth. So the camera did everything to keep the camera steady. Now the issue with this is f/4.5 give you shallow DOF (depth of field, what's in focus). So the face of the sink (where I'd assume it focused) is sharp, but the rest is not as sharp. So what would work better here is a higher aperture (f8~f16) but that will raise the ISO and lower the shutter speed. That means you really need a tripod to get that shot (or set the camera on something solid, ladder, box, bucket, anything).

Also, can you go back when the house/room is finished? The shots would look a million times better if it was of a finished kitchen/bath. Get the owners to decorate it and the shot you have would look worlds better. Use a tripod to get some better DOF and that will help a bunch too. Then from there work on better lighting. Dusk where there is some light from the windows as well as interior lights would look better (but will make you need a tripod even more).

Ben

I agree with Ben. I think a new lens will only make your wallet lighter.

You mentioned you had an external flash. Have you tried bouncing it off the ceiling? The lighting I saw in the photos on the website you linked looked harsh. A bounced flash would do wonders.

Yeah, I'm sure it's hard, but it will look so much better "finished". At least throw some plates on the outlets if you can. That would only take a few minutes.

Also, to get ideas, go to a magazine/book store and look in the magazines for construction type stuff, or architectural type shots. Study the shots you like, and figure out what they're doing that you're not. It's the best way to learn and get ideas to improve. I do this all the time with travel, skiing and sailing magazines.

As for the tripod, if you don't have one, like I said, there's probably 10 things in the background of those shots you can use. Nothing is moving, so it's an easy solution. When you do use a tripod, I'd suggest setting the ISO to 100. Set the camera to Av, then set the aperture to somewhere between f8 and f16 (try a few settings, but at 100 and f/16 the shots might take ~30 seconds). Then use the timed release. That's the "drive" option, set it to the clock from the box option. This will take a picture 10 seconds after you press the shutter. Yes it means your shots will take a lot longer, but they'll look a lot better for it.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by jcard

Apex when you say bounce the flash off the ceilling do you mean just turn the flash in that direction when taking the pics?

Yes, just tilt the flash head straight up. When I said "bounce the flash" I actually meant bounce the light. It softens it up and gets rid of hard shadows and a lot of the glare.

agreed with ken on the "big picture" idea. But your new shots are a huge improvement over the previous attempts. The lighting looks much better, as do the counters in a more "finished" setting. Although it's funny to see the candles out with no top on the wall... Nothing you can do about that except maybe come back when that person is done....

Is that new set of a white countertop? It looks much lighter than the other shots. Not sure if it's that countertop, or the new lighting.

Also, you don't need a tripod, you can set your camera on anything... Around a site there's got to be buckets, boxes, ladders and a million other things you can use.

Very cool (the countertops)....
and yeah, get that cap done and go reshoot it....

Huge improvement in just one try though. Keep it up and you'll have a much better looking gallery to help advertise/sell yourself.