Need Training

MeatProduct

Good Evening to you all,

My business is in need of some photography training for at least one person. Is there anyone here that would be up to the task? We are in the architecture/landscaping related fields and I can be much more specific in the requirements but I would prefer to keep that off these boards if that is possible.

We are based in Cork and would need the training delivered here in-house. We use a Canon 350D but are open to purchasing a better camera if necessary. The level of ability at the moment is minimal and it is reflected in the pictures taken so we are looking for a more professional end result.

Any input is greatly appreciated even if you don't intend to offer training. An idea of price would be useful at this early stage (ball park).

Thank you very much,

Nick

Fajitas!

Hmmm, well, the 350D should be up to the task, bu lens-wise, I'd be advising a tilt/shift for architectural work. Big bucks though.

thebaz

i wouldn't say you are alone -- some of the photographs taking for sales , such as estate agents or garages , is shocking , maybe with the advent of digital photography , and the internet as a sales tool, there is a gap in the market for small commercial photographers to help improve the overall photographic quality ! Kaching !

minikin

talk to a dedicated architectural photographer (not a wedding /commercial snapper that also thinks they can shoot buildings)

1. best bit of advice i can give you, having worked in the field: engage the services of a pro.

2. 2nd best bit of advice - ask a pro for training.

Owen

Well, I have a 350d, and have almost finished a photography course at night in the College of Commerce that ran for 10 weeks. In that time, I've moved from a hapless waster, to someone who can take a relatively decent pic (Judging by the response to my flickr in this forum).

I'd recommend you approach the College of Comm to see when the next course is running, or as another helpful poster recommended, try asking a pro!

Roen

The thing is that the type of photography you are looking for is all about perspective control. Now, you can run some filters in photoshop and throw pixels away at one end of the shot and make them up (interpolate) at the other to correct perspective, but the best way by far is to use a 5"x4" camera of some sort. Failing that a TS lens from Canon or the equivalent from Nikon or whoever is your best bet.

The 5"x4" systems are expensive, as is all the ancillary gear you need to operate them, and the cost per shot is relatively high. With the TS lens on the 350D the sensor size will add a crop to whatever focal length you get so you may find yourself running out of space quicker than you thought.

From the limited amount that you've given away I'm guessing that you want to showcase your work to prospective clients, via the web or a portfolio of some sort.
If I knew more I could say more.

MeatProduct

Thank you all very much for your advice. Much appreciated. I'm a bit embarrassed by how little I know, some of the terms are quite unfamiliar to me. I have a passion for photography but I'm always let down by my end results. I'm not sure why I'm being so defensive about what type of work I do so I might as well tell you all as it will keep from wasting your time. I create 3D models of buildings and structures and often my clients want the models superimposed into a an image (of where the building is to be built). These shot can be from far away allowing the building to be seen in the context of the greater environment or quite close up for more detail. No clients have ever complained about the quality of the photographs but I know they could be much better.

As suggested, I'm going to look into the College of Commerce photography course, a friend of mine did it a few years ago but it wasn't for digital cameras so they must have updated the course since.

I'm wondering if even the camera I have is the right tool for the job. Would a 5D be more suitable?

Thank you all, most helpful,

Nick

Fajitas!

The camera would be grand, it's lenses you have to worry about