Services for the film community

Let’s start with your camera settings:

• Find the quality and size settings in your camera menu. Set your quality to at least “Fine”, and your size to no smaller than 1600x1200 pixels.
• Make sure your flash is disabled.
• If your camera offers the option, you may wish to switch to manual controls for focus and exposure to achieve a consistent look.
• If possible, steady your camera with a tripod, monopod or improvised device such as a stool or stepladder.
• Location Scouts often use a technique known as “panning” which you may wish to try.

Now you are ready to begin "shooting" a file of your property

There is a standard checklist of images required for a professional photofile of a property. Please follow the checklist of suggested rooms and features on the right of this page. Don’t forget to highlight features of your property that make it exceptional and unique, like interesting architectural details, unusual décor, or dynamic sightlines.

The two most important factors in creating compelling photographs are lighting and compostion. Make sure that you are using as much natural light as possible, and that all the lights in a room are turned on. Try to create an interesting composition by contrasting foreground and background elements if possible.

Lets begin with the front of your property

ou will need to begin with a photograph of your property’s exterior, as that will become the thumbnail image that appears on the website. Because this image is so important, you need to make sure your property has plenty of light and this photograph is in focus.

• Find a nice angle that takes in the entire structure. You may wish to shoot several of these and choose the best one later.
• Then turn around 180 degrees and shoot what’s called “the reverse”. This is the exact opposite angle, facing away from your property.
• Now take two more shots, one looking each direction of your street.
  

Lets move to the rear of the property

You’ll need to get at least one shot of each of the following:

• Begin with a wide shot of the rear of the building, taking in as much of the structure as possible.
• Shoot the reverse, looking away from the structure
• Be sure to shoot any backyard details, such as a deck, hot tub, swing set, etc.

Now lets move inside

Begin on the lowest floor and move up. You’ll want to show as much as possible of every room. Depending on the size of the space, a shot/reverse shot strategy will usually work – this is where “pan” images can be very useful. In small rooms you may need to shoot more angles. Try to get about 2-3 photos of each of the “main” areas of the property.

If you are photograhing a home, don’t forget to include hallways and staircases. Photograph each room at least once. Although certain rooms may be unsuitable for filming, they may be logistically useful, for storage of equipment in between shots and green rooms for cast. Once you’ve taken pictures of your property from top to bottom, it’s time to transfer the photos to your computer, and move to the next step: uploading your photos to the website.