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[OM] Suggestions for interiors

Subject: [OM] Suggestions for interiors
From: Chuck Norcutt <norcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 06:33:34 -0400
A neighbor of mine suggested that, since I'm out of work at the moment,
I should start a sideline of photographing interiors.  He does
architectural drawings for many building contractors who frequently have
before and after pictures made of remodeling work.  He says, in his
opinion, that most of this photography is simply awful and he "knows"
that I could do a much better job.  He'll be happy to put in a good word
for me with these contractors.

He "knows" I can do a better job after seeing some portraits that I've
done including one of his wife.  Now, I know (even if he doesn't) that
interiors are a far cry from portraits.  In 35 years of casual
photography I've never attempted interiors other than what's
accidentally caught taking photos of people indoors.  I also tend to be
a telephoto type of guy.  My view of the world is generally at 70 mm or
longer.  While I own 24/2.8, 28/3.5 and 35/2.8 lenses they're almost
never mounted on the camera unless it's outdoors for some sort of scenic
view.

Anybody have some suggestions here?  Looking at my own kitchen through
the 24 mm shows some not so wonderful perspective effects.  It also
tells me that 24 mm might not be short enough.  And, of course, shorter
is going to be (besides expensive) even worse on the perspective front. 
A 24 mm shift is out of the question.

I do have a scanner.  Is this a place where I should be looking to
software for some perspective control.  I have Photoshop 5 LE which came
with the scanner.  It looks like the "LE" part means no perspective
control.  I also have various other low cost software packages (Corel
Custom Photo Special Edition, MGI Photosuite) which do various degrees
of hideous distortion but nothing that I can see that would apply the
trapezoidal squeeze or stretch that I think would be required to correct
the perspective.  Is there some low cost alternative to the full-blown
$600 Photoshop that will allow for perspective control?

I think that using two flashes and a little practice will allow me to
evenly illuminate even a very large kitchen but this business of focal
length and perspective control has me concerned.  Even the 35 mm gives
the nearest cabinets a bit of a keystone effect.  I haven't asked my
neighbor why he thinks most of the interior shots he has seen are simply
awful but my guess is that the perspective problem is probably
uppermost.  Or, maybe most of it is done with a point-and-shoot and the
angle of view is not very wide and also poorly illuminated.

Any suggestions (including reasonable rates) greatly appreciated.

Chuck Norcutt
Woburn, Massachusetts, USA

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