GENERAL WORKFLOW

At Mac-Access our workflow is principally based on Canon and Apple technologies. All our photography is shot with a Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 30D with Canon 'L' lenses and strobes. Images are shot in both RAW and Jpeg formats and HDR (High Dynamic Range) techniquies are used frequently in our work.

We use a combination of Aperture 3 and Adobe Photoshop (CS5) software to organise, process and prepare images for output. Bracketeer by Pangea Software is used to process and create the HDR images. Bracketeer is used to create High Dynamic Range (HDR) images. HDR images combine several shots taken at different exposures; highlights from underexposed images and shadows from overexposed images are combined to create a more natural look.

For our web design and production of websites we use Adobe GoLive, Adobe Photoshop and have recently begun to use the online web-creation service called Squarespace. Squarespace is a web publishing (blogging/content management) company that sells a software publishing platform and file server service to individuals and businesses, providing them the tools and assistance to create and maintain well-designed websites.

RESIDENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Photos are the most important elements of real estate. Using a professional photographer can make the difference when marketing your property.

Lifestyle Workflow

Our aim is to work in with the agents and vendors to create the best marketing opportunity to promote the sale of a property. We are about providing high quality images that accurately reflect a property and provide potential buyers with images of the lifestyle they are seeking. Buying a home is not always about "getting the best deal" - it's about buying a property that feels like a home.

We can provide tips to ensure your home is ready for the 'shoot'. We work with vendors to ensure the lighting is right, furniture is well positioned and miscellaneous items are removed. To give buyers a good feel we highlight the exterior, kitchen, living areas, main bathroom, special features and any outdoor living areas.

Technical Workflow

High dynamic range (HDR) digital photography is used as a standard workflow for nearly all our real estate work. This allows us to take advantage of the ambient (natural and inside) lighting sources at the property and not use any additional flash.
First we take exposure bracketed photos to capture a large exposure range of the scene. This is done using a tripod. The exception to bracketing is when a RAW image is used for use a single-exposure HDR. This often works better outside, especially if it is windy.  A single photo shot on high shutter speed will eliminate blurring in the trees and plants.

We then generate the high dynamic range images using the Bracketeer software, merging the bracketed photos into a single HDR image that creates sharp, evenly lit and natural looking images.

Aperture 3 software is then used to straighten and crop the images to the correct aspect ratio for use on the real estate websites (3x4 aspect ratio).

A printed CD or DVD is provided with the final images in both high and low resolution Jpeg formats.


LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY