I captured the “Stairway to Heaven” image during a photo shoot commissioned by a realtor, showcasing a residence in Houston’s Tanglewood neighborhood. The property boasts a stunning modern Spanish colonial revival architecture. From this shoot, I produced a total of 5-6 noteworthy images. One of them, titled “Living Space,” earned a place as a finalist in the grand imaging awards for IPC.
Typically, I employ settings of f/8 and 320 ISO, allowing the shutter speed to determine the exposure. During this particular shoot, I used a Nikon D750 (now upgraded to the Z6ii) with a Nikon 24mm Tilt-Shift lens, all mounted on a Gitzo tripod featuring an Arca Swiss head. Lighting was facilitated by a handheld Godox AD200 with a round head and handle, affectionately referred to as “Thor’s hammer.”
For this specific image, a 3-image stack and merge technique was employed using the lens shift. Each position involved a 3-image bracket, strategically lit to address various areas, such as the bathroom beneath the stairs. This same process has resulted in a different impactful visual that earned me the cover of the PPA magazine.
While the image did not receive merit at my local guild initially, valuable critiques were implemented to enhance its quality. Despite being labeled as potentially “masculine” in nature, I believe the diverse responses from judges may stem from the inherent impact and appeal of my work.
Here’s a link to an article I wrote that summarizes that process: https://thephotographeronline.com/patrick-bertolino/real-estate-photography-2/
