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- Frank Allen, "Frank Allen"
- Contributions:87
It´s not just phone cams. I´ve seen some that I think were literally lifted from Google earth. Others are just uploaded poorly. In L.A. if you look closer Carrie, I think you will find a majority of these lousy photos are agents working short sales and REOs way out of their area and I don´t think they care.
- Beth Grotelueschen, "bethghomes"
- Contributions:765
I agree, you are doing your clients such a disservice by having bad photos. If restaurants showed photos of food that they took with their cell phones or with a date stamp on them, fuzzy, etc. they'd never have anyone come to their restaurant--- same with the photos--- bad photos= no showings.
- Vince Curtis, "SoCal Appraiser"
- Contributions:4699
...but it is amazing the Iphone 4 has a 5 megapixel camera with zoom...many original digital cameras that all Realtors used years ago were around 1.0 mega pixel............for what its worth, I've noticed many people get poor, blurry pictures from their phone cameras, whatever megapixels, because the little LENS on the phone is simply dirty....those little lens are simply not easy to clean....
CLEAN those lens people, and your photos will come out much better, whether you use them for the MLS or not.......
- Simon Mills, "Mills Realty"
- Contributions:1858
With cell phones coming standard with higher and higher pixel cameras equipped I don't think the cell phone is to blame. I agree that the out of area agents handling depressed properties are a problem, but the truth of the matter is for a minor investment a professioanl photographer can be hired and make the property look its absolute best.
Simon Mills
Mills Realty
Simon Mills
Mills Realty
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
I love the photos that are utterly dark.
Or the pictures of toilet seats. For some odd reason I see lots of those. Or dirty corners of rooms. Just the corners.
I actually saw a picture of a house that was completely taken over by the front shrubbery, it was literally growing onto the house, and the caption (at least it had one as agents are often too lazy to do that as well) said "mature landscaping!".
Never ceases to amaze me.
Or the pictures of toilet seats. For some odd reason I see lots of those. Or dirty corners of rooms. Just the corners.
I actually saw a picture of a house that was completely taken over by the front shrubbery, it was literally growing onto the house, and the caption (at least it had one as agents are often too lazy to do that as well) said "mature landscaping!".
Never ceases to amaze me.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
If you don't know how to take a photo, it doesn't matter what kind of camera you use, even if it cost $5k.
And an excellent photographer will hide all kinds of things without anyone knowing that something was intentionally hidden.
No one is paying for "the best". You don't even have a way of measuring what "best" is.
I don't care a bit if someone uses a cell phone, a pocket digital, or a single lens reflex, or even a 35mm film camera, or even a Polaroid. All I want to know is that they are "quality" photos that accurately represent what is for sale, and are done in a timely manner.
And an excellent photographer will hide all kinds of things without anyone knowing that something was intentionally hidden.
No one is paying for "the best". You don't even have a way of measuring what "best" is.
I don't care a bit if someone uses a cell phone, a pocket digital, or a single lens reflex, or even a 35mm film camera, or even a Polaroid. All I want to know is that they are "quality" photos that accurately represent what is for sale, and are done in a timely manner.
- Tom Verducci, "SoldbyTomV"
- Contributions:222
Part timers = cell phone cameras
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7298
I must've taken 60 pictures to get the 10 that I put on my listing today.
Then I had to color correct them before posting.
Can't imagine using a phone camera (and I did see one last night on MLS - very bad).
Then I had to color correct them before posting.
Can't imagine using a phone camera (and I did see one last night on MLS - very bad).
- Peggy Banks, "Peggy Banks"
- Contributions:522
I completely agree!!! It's just plan laziness. One photo says a thousand words. A big part of our job is to market the home.
- Young - Jin Yang, "MyValleyDreamHome"
- Contributions:96
Thats ok. Then professional agents like you and me can take the listings. Also I have a professional photographer come out and do my photos with studio equipment with a wide angles lense to capture whole rooms. If you are going to market a home effectively, you might as well do it correctly.
- Angie Boggeman, "angie boggeman"
- Contributions:469
I agree. What I like even more is when the realtors take a picture on their cell phone in the dead of winter with snow on the ground and the same picture is posted online in the summer.
- Michael Martinez, "mikemartinez"
- Contributions:42
We see this alot with foreclosures. It certainly does everyone a dis-service!
Many buyers are discouraged at looking at a property with poorly taken photographs.
The homes many times are not getting maximum cash value in tern keeping the market value's of those neighborhoods lower.
Many buyers are discouraged at looking at a property with poorly taken photographs.
The homes many times are not getting maximum cash value in tern keeping the market value's of those neighborhoods lower.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
I don't know why anyone would complain about the equipment their "competition" uses! It is not the "equipment" it is the skills in using it!
I would much rather have Ansel Adams use a Cell phone camera for a picture for me than for any Realtor posting on this thread to use a $10,000 Hasseblad.
Really, I haven't seen any "full time" REA's that are really good photographers; but I've seen hundreds of "part timers" that could take good pictures no matter what equipment they had. Obviously better with better equipment, but at some point there is diminished return.
I don't want to have 5 MB images posted of a house on a website! It takes way too long to download, and the screen resolution doesn't support it anyway! The maximum resolution should be 1200 pixels across.
And if someone is using a camera with digital wireless communications, like a cell phone? They can have the listing up and on hundreds of websites within minutes of a seller agreeing to a listing contract.
Just because you outdated agents that don't keep up with technology developments like to exaggerate and lie, with statements about "ultimate best", does not mean that you can do any better. Besides, you can't "prove" which camera was used for any photo in the first place.
I would much rather hire a "part timer" that had a track record of closing sales at owner requested price or higher within 60 days of listing rather than some "full timer" that has 200 listings with the majority of them staying on the market 270 days, with not enough time to devote any detailed attention to any of them.
You agents can "agree" with yourselves all you want; but it is the customer that decides.
I would much rather have Ansel Adams use a Cell phone camera for a picture for me than for any Realtor posting on this thread to use a $10,000 Hasseblad.
Really, I haven't seen any "full time" REA's that are really good photographers; but I've seen hundreds of "part timers" that could take good pictures no matter what equipment they had. Obviously better with better equipment, but at some point there is diminished return.
I don't want to have 5 MB images posted of a house on a website! It takes way too long to download, and the screen resolution doesn't support it anyway! The maximum resolution should be 1200 pixels across.
And if someone is using a camera with digital wireless communications, like a cell phone? They can have the listing up and on hundreds of websites within minutes of a seller agreeing to a listing contract.
Just because you outdated agents that don't keep up with technology developments like to exaggerate and lie, with statements about "ultimate best", does not mean that you can do any better. Besides, you can't "prove" which camera was used for any photo in the first place.
I would much rather hire a "part timer" that had a track record of closing sales at owner requested price or higher within 60 days of listing rather than some "full timer" that has 200 listings with the majority of them staying on the market 270 days, with not enough time to devote any detailed attention to any of them.
You agents can "agree" with yourselves all you want; but it is the customer that decides.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
And for the "color correction"; most cameras do have a "white balance" setting, rather than just using the outdoor lighting setting for indoors...
You should read your manual; it will save you hours of unnecessary work!
You should read your manual; it will save you hours of unnecessary work!
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26854
Well said Pasadenan. Listening to the customer seems to be a rare skill.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
An indoor house property photograph I came across the other day...
(looks like the ceiling tile could use some repair...)
Photo by Trey Ratcliff
(looks like the ceiling tile could use some repair...)
Photo by Trey Ratcliff
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
And then there was this Mermaid on the beach...
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26854
Needs a bit of repair, and perhaps some staging <tongue in cheek>
I'm feeling blue now I have to buy a much bigger computer monitor.
I'm feeling blue now I have to buy a much bigger computer monitor.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
Bigger monitor???
The image is only 778 x 1024. That is only 0.8 Mega Pixels!
And Carrie implied you need more than 5 Mega Pixels for her to show 4 walls.
Vince posted that the I-phone 4 has a 5 Mega Pixel camera with Zoom Lens, and that wasn't good enough for Carrie nor most of the other REA's.
It is the REA's that should feel blue since none of their photos come out with that kind of quality, and yet they are promising photos that are at least 10,000 times better than that!
The other photo is 1024 x 768. (0.8 Mega Pixels), and that file size is only 352 kilobytes.
(No REA should be taking photos at higher than 2 Mega Pixel resolution).
The image is only 778 x 1024. That is only 0.8 Mega Pixels!
And Carrie implied you need more than 5 Mega Pixels for her to show 4 walls.
Vince posted that the I-phone 4 has a 5 Mega Pixel camera with Zoom Lens, and that wasn't good enough for Carrie nor most of the other REA's.
It is the REA's that should feel blue since none of their photos come out with that kind of quality, and yet they are promising photos that are at least 10,000 times better than that!
The other photo is 1024 x 768. (0.8 Mega Pixels), and that file size is only 352 kilobytes.
(No REA should be taking photos at higher than 2 Mega Pixel resolution).
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26854
Strange - I can't see the whole photo on my monitor.
The benefits of going 10,000x bigger and better is a buyer can do the home inspection from sitting on the couch looking at the photos. Every broken tile, scratch in the hardwood and popped nail will show.
The benefits of going 10,000x bigger and better is a buyer can do the home inspection from sitting on the couch looking at the photos. Every broken tile, scratch in the hardwood and popped nail will show.
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
Pas, I'm pretty sure Wetdawgs was trying to make a funny. I would guess his monitor size is just fine.
I have to ask though, is this really a single family home??? I'm not sure even staging would warm it up. Can you imagine trying to clean the place?
Maybe it just needs a little neutral paint color.
Also, you have me curious about this mermaid picture you keep trying to (unsuccessfully) post. Whazzup with that?
I have to ask though, is this really a single family home??? I'm not sure even staging would warm it up. Can you imagine trying to clean the place?
Maybe it just needs a little neutral paint color.
Also, you have me curious about this mermaid picture you keep trying to (unsuccessfully) post. Whazzup with that?
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
Yes, it "was" a single family home; but the owner gave it to the State when he died... And this indoor room is not "attached" to the house, but is under the Tennis Court.
(The person that took this photo had special permission to get to that location. Most people can only see it from the other side. Those steps go up to the diving platform, and that can be seen from the other side).
I have heard that there is a basement under this room, but I wouldn't know for sure.
Yes, the 1024 pixels high would be a bit much if one one has their screen resolution set to 1024 x 768, or even 1280 x 960. So one either needs to scroll, or change the screen resolution to 1280 x 1024, or 1600 x 1200.
This website seems to work best at 1024 x 768, thus that is what I keep my screen resolution set to, unless needed to change for something specific.
(And yes, I knew it was "tongue in cheek", but I still wanted to point out that it is not "high resolution").
(The person that took this photo had special permission to get to that location. Most people can only see it from the other side. Those steps go up to the diving platform, and that can be seen from the other side).
I have heard that there is a basement under this room, but I wouldn't know for sure.
Yes, the 1024 pixels high would be a bit much if one one has their screen resolution set to 1024 x 768, or even 1280 x 960. So one either needs to scroll, or change the screen resolution to 1280 x 1024, or 1600 x 1200.
This website seems to work best at 1024 x 768, thus that is what I keep my screen resolution set to, unless needed to change for something specific.
(And yes, I knew it was "tongue in cheek", but I still wanted to point out that it is not "high resolution").
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
"Also, you have me curious about this mermaid picture you keep trying to (unsuccessfully) post Whazzup with that?" -
It views fine for me. And on the other thread, there are two different images. I just like this one better since it fills the whole screen at 1024 x 768 when you scroll over.
Yes, last night it was a "test", since I was aware of others posting images from other sites and at higher resolution than the "insert image" button allows. Of course now I'm curious if there is a size limit, since any photo loaded to the Zillow photo directories can typically be seen only up to a maximum of 2000 x 2000 pixels, and they use a resizing function for most of the locations where photos are displayed.
(Even 2000 x 2000 is only 4 Mega Pixels).
It views fine for me. And on the other thread, there are two different images. I just like this one better since it fills the whole screen at 1024 x 768 when you scroll over.
Yes, last night it was a "test", since I was aware of others posting images from other sites and at higher resolution than the "insert image" button allows. Of course now I'm curious if there is a size limit, since any photo loaded to the Zillow photo directories can typically be seen only up to a maximum of 2000 x 2000 pixels, and they use a resizing function for most of the locations where photos are displayed.
(Even 2000 x 2000 is only 4 Mega Pixels).
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
A "quality" Carrie image on this website:
Do your own comparison...
Does it measure up to Carrie's standard of "ultimate best"?
(Resolution 640 x 960. 62 KB file)
Do your own comparison...
Does it measure up to Carrie's standard of "ultimate best"?
(Resolution 640 x 960. 62 KB file)
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
Oh! Wetdawgs is right! We can do the inspection from the photos!... The receptacle within 6 ft of the sink needs to be Ground Fault Interrupting; and this one is not! (Actually any receptacles in the bathroom should be GFI). At least it is a "grounded" outlet; but then we really don't know if there is a ground connection or if the receptacle was just swapped out until we plug in a tester...
Oh well, can't plug in the tester from the photos; still need to do that home inspection.
Oh well, can't plug in the tester from the photos; still need to do that home inspection.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
(And even with the tester, I still may not believe it and insist on removing the plate and looking... it is too easy for someone to connect the ground connection to the neutral fooling the tester).
And why is the switch in the down position with the light on? 3-way switch implying another door? Or is the switch upside down?
And why is the switch in the down position with the light on? 3-way switch implying another door? Or is the switch upside down?
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
And why are photos 35 through 105 of her photos all the same as her first photo?
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
Wetdawgs -
You could always get one of those monitors that you can rotate 90° to change the proportions, that automatically reverse the X and Y resolutions when you rotate it... That would be just right for those photos taken with the camera rotated 90°.
Or, if you want to see the full image, and don't want to increase you display resolution, you could use the "ctrl--" keys (control key and "-" key together), with browsers such as FireFox, as that shrinks what is on the display (reducing resolution). With repeated use, you should be able to get where the whole picture can show together.
You could always get one of those monitors that you can rotate 90° to change the proportions, that automatically reverse the X and Y resolutions when you rotate it... That would be just right for those photos taken with the camera rotated 90°.
Or, if you want to see the full image, and don't want to increase you display resolution, you could use the "ctrl--" keys (control key and "-" key together), with browsers such as FireFox, as that shrinks what is on the display (reducing resolution). With repeated use, you should be able to get where the whole picture can show together.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
For those that thing Google's automatic photo vehicles cannot take halfway decent photos at reasonable resolution without too much blurring...
(Compare to Carrie's photo of the front door..
(Compare to Carrie's photo of the front door..
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
for those that thing --> "for those that *think*
(Yes, I still make typing errors; but then I never promised anyone "ultimate best").
(Yes, I still make typing errors; but then I never promised anyone "ultimate best").
Why are you taking property photos with your cell phone?
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- 5.0/5.0
- (2 reviews)
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