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References
NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
REALTORS®' Use of Digital Cameras
Frequency of use of digital cameras:
Daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23%
A few times per week . . . .21%
A few times per month . . . 11%
Rarely or never. . . . . . . . . 35%
Source: 2023 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile
Usefulness of Photos and Virtual Tours
- 33% of homebuyers find virtual tours to be very useful.
- 66% of homebuyers find photos to be very useful.
Source: 2023 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Choosing a Camera
Top Essential Tips on Choosing and Buying a Digital Camera (ePHOTOzine, Jan. 12, 2024)
An advanced compact camera is generally quite small, and these days is packed with loads of features. They usually have more fun features than their larger counterparts, such as lots of inbuilt image filters and effects.
Advanced compacts are quickly becoming bigger competitors with mirrorless cameras in terms of image quality and settings every year. As technology advances, compacts get more megapixels, more zoom and loads more settings in a small body that is easily carried everywhere.
Best Camera for Real Estate Photography in 2024 (Digital Camera World, Aug. 23, 2023)
Throughout the guide, we've stuck to the cameras we reckon will give you the best value for money when it comes to capturing real-estate images – everything from DSLRs to action cameras. Where relevant, we've also suggested some of the best wide-angle lenses pair with the camera, as these will allow you to fill the frame with property interiors.
Top 12 Cameras for Real Estate Photography in 2024 (PhotoUp, Jun. 6, 2023)
To help you find a solid workhorse camera that will help you take top-notch quality pictures and video, check out our list of top 12 cameras for real estate photography. Whatever camera you choose from this list will help you produce captivating images.
How Many Megapixels Do You Really Need? (Tom’s Guide, May 19, 2023)
Having more pixels than you need can actually hurt image quality. That’s because when you upload an overly large picture to social media, output it to a printer or send it to a photo book producer, your image will get downsized automatically. That’s because the software or upload process will randomly delete pixels without the smarts to understand what might be critical in the picture, such as the sparkle in a child’s eye or the razor-sharp edge of a leaf.
How-To Tips: Shooting, Editing, & Storing Digital Photographs
Cloud Storage for Photographers: 8 Options to Consider (Aftershoot, Dec. 1, 2023)
When selecting the best cloud photo storage for photographers, there are important things to keep in mind. These kinds of questions should come up:
- How can I store holiday pictures in centralized locations?
- Do I want to share images in RAW format?
- What are the file size limits?
Real Estate Photography: 9 Tips for Stunning DIY Photos (The Close, Jun. 14, 2023)
If you want photos that you shot on your phone that look like they were shot on a $5,000 camera, schedule your shoot to start in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is closest to the horizon. This is known as the golden hour in photography.
The Ultimate Guide to Editing Real Estate Photos (CLT360, May 27, 2023)
While editing, it's important to maintain a natural look and not overdo it. Avoid using too much saturation or contrast, as it can make the photo look fake.
Marketing Your Listings with Digital Images
The Importance of Digital Marketing When Selling Your Home (Emilie Cole Homes, Oct. 25, 2023)
Photography transcends the mere documentation of spaces; it encapsulates the ambiance and the emotions of a property. High-resolution photographs showcase the essence of each room, highlighting architectural nuances, the interplay of light, and design details that may otherwise be missed. Through a well-composed photograph, the warmth of a sunlit living room, the inviting allure of a well-appointed kitchen, or the tranquility of a manicured garden can be conveyed with precision.
A Guide to Digital Marketing for Real Estate (Proven Partners, Jul. 28, 2023)
Think outside the box by using unique shoots, virtual tours, live events, and educational animations. The majority of video marketing material may now be quickly and effectively shot at a lower cost.
5 Proven Digital Marketing Ideas and Examples for Real Estate Industry (Digital Agency Network, Jul. 6, 2023)
Your property listings should be showcased with high-quality images and videos. By doing this, you improve the aesthetic appeal of your website while also giving visitors a better idea of the properties you have available.
Virtual Tours
Are Virtual Tours Still Worth It in Real Estate? Evidence from 75,000 Home Sales (Harvard Business School, Dec. 5, 2023)
One possible reason for the tiny effect from virtual tours for most listings: pricing strategy of agents who use virtual tours. These sellers tend to start with a higher price, lowering it by the time a home is sold. That can mean listings linger on the market longer, the authors note.
How to Prepare for a Virtual Tour for Real Estate (Virtuance, Sep. 22, 2023)
A good first step to prepare for the interior of a virtual tour is to remove all clutter and clean. While cleaning may seem obvious, you must be extremely thorough. Dust and wipe down surfaces. Remove any stained or damaged items from view.
How To Create a Virtual Tour for Real Estate (Forbes, May 5, 2023)
Before recording your footage, it’s crucial that you plan your walk-through and make sure you know where to place the camera in every room. Ideally, you’ll want to go to the center of the room so you can capture it in its entirety. However, in rooms that aren’t symmetrical, you may need to find a different location, so test it out.
Because the virtual tour is meant to mimic walking through the home, you also need to plan your route. For example, you can’t start in the upstairs bedrooms and then jump down to the basement—the connection simply won’t make sense.
Useful Websites
CNET Cameras — Product reviews and recommendations, comparisons, buyer's guides, how-to articles, and more from the electronics experts at CNET.
Digital Camera World — Digital Camera World is the world's fastest-growing photography website, covering every aspect of image-making, from DSLR and mirrorless cameras to mobile photography, drones, post-production and printing. This site also has buying guides, tutorials and product reviews.
Digital Photo Mentor — Whether you're a beginner photographer, intermediate or seasoned shooter, you'll find photography articles here to help you take your skills to the next level.
Digital Trends — The photography section covers news, reviews, and discussion about camera tech including digital cameras, DSLRs, and the latest events in the world of photography.
Fro Knows Photo — Professional photographer, Jared Polin, offers product reviews, discussion forums, advice, instructional videos, and photo critiques. A useful website for both beginner and advanced photographers.
Imaging Resource — Comprehensive site features product reviews, comparison charts, news, tutorials, and other key information about all aspects of digital cameras and photography.
PopPhoto — Comprehensive website with news, reviews, how-to articles, gear and inspirational photo galleries.
Shortcourses — Online tutorials on various digital camera topics, with a glossary of terms and links to other digital camera websites. A valuable feature of the Shortcourses site is the collection of printable, portable guides to using specific Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Olympus digital camera models.
techradar — The source for tech buying advice.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Video (eBook)
Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies® (eBook)
Digital Photography For Dummies® (eBook)
Digital Photography Just the Steps For Dummies® (eBook)
Digital Video Essentials (eBook)
Digital Video for Dummies® (eBook)
How to Do Everything: Digital Camera (eBook)
How to Do Everything with Online Video (eBook)
How to Do Everything with Your iPhone® (eBook)
How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck (eBook)
Smart Photos (eBook)
Video Marketing for Dummies (eBook)
Have an idea for a real estate topic? Send us your suggestions.
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