Mastering Architecture and Real Estate Photography

Course details

"I have never seen such a detailed and comprehensive set of lessons in all my online experiences and I have been taking courses since 2005. The detail and explicit directions are just what the newbie needs. I have not engaged in architectural photography before and so this was a added bonus for me. I have previously taken courses with Charlie, and he is my ace when it comes to flash, but now also when I wish to learn more about photographing buildings and homes. Don't look any further!" Fran S.

The market for skilled architecture photographers is huge. Business is booming again in commercial and residential construction. Home builders, property managers, construction companies, hospitals, retirement communities, hotels, manufacturing facilities, magazines, and real estate ventures all have a use for architecture photography.

Architecture is one of the most challenging subjects to compose and light. There are ambient light issues, color balance issues, and lighting issues. For the photographer skilled at shooting quality photographs, there is plenty of business shooting homes, real estate, and commercial properties for architects, builders, developers, and real estate agents. Whoever you shoot for, it is all architecture photography in one form or another yet each property will have a unique set of challenges that will dictate your photographic approach.

If you wish to shoot architecture photography, then this online course is created just for you! Join award-winning commercial photographer Charlie Borland as he shares his knowledge in a step-by-step approach to photographing architectural properties. You will learn how to light an interior without the scene looking lit, how to manage lighting color balance, how to make the inside balance perfectly with the outside, how to find a storytelling angle, how to deal with poor light, how to fix bad color, how to work fast to be more profitable, and a whole lot more.

The Course

This online workshop is especially geared to intermediate through professional photographers. You'll receive a broad overview of photographic lighting, gain a good idea of how to light room interiors, and arrange a scene. The best camera gear and lighting equipment is covered as well.

You will also learn how to see light quality, how to manage highlights and shadows, how to choose the right lighting accessory for the subject, why use an umbrella over a light box, and managing the color of various ambient light sources.

You will learn how to light when there is no place to put your lights. And, we'll show you the latest methods in using Photoshop to enhance and composite your images.

What's covered:

• The difference between real estate photography and architectural photography
  
• How to see light and shadow.
  
• The different qualities of light, color balance, and color correction.
  
• The best equipment and how it works.
  
• HDR for architecture photography
  
• Which light best applies to your subject.
  
• Lighting color management: How to mix strobe with ambient light.
  
• Lighting in offices, manufacturing plants, and home environments.
  
• The disappearing lights technique.
  
• How to light with strobes and how to light with flash.
  
• and how to use Photoshop to create photos you can't do in a single capture

What will you learn?

There are many ways to shoot architecture photography and the method you choose will be based on how your images will be used. Are they for a realtor, a home builder, commercial developer, or maybe and architect? Depending on who you are shooting for will depend on how you approach the photography and this course covers many methods that can be applied to each type of client.

 You will learn how to shoot without supplemental light.

 How to process a basic digital file quickly.

 How to shoot for HDR.

 How to process for HDR.

 How to light a room with strobes.

 How to deal with reflections.

 How to replace lights, lamps, and windows.

 How to fix distortion.

 How to fix bad color.

 How to light a room with flash.

 How to shoot for Photoshop.

 How to use the hide-a-light technique.

 And many in-depth Photoshop techniques for beautiful architecture photography.

You will learn techniques that allow you to work quickly for low budget assignments and how to create beautiful architecture photography for high end clients as well.

Course requirements:

Photoshop is used widely in the course and while you do not need to be an expert, some familiarity (primarily Layer Masking techniques} will make it easier for you. But if you are not that familiar with Photoshop, don't worry, we have some introductory Photoshop videos that will guide you along the way.

You will need a digital camera with a wide angle lens. For full frame sensor cameras a lens around 16-35 is perfect and if you have a cropped APS sensor camera then a wide angle lens around 10-20 will work as well. If you don't have lenses in that range but do have a wide angle lens then use it for the course and learn what you need for later purchase. You need a good tripod and a cable release or wireless device to trigger your camera. I also recommend wireless triggers to fire the strobe/flashes.

This course covers lighting extensively and includes several techniques. You will learn how to shoot architecture without lights, with strobes and umbrellas, also with a flash unit.