Historic House Colors	Exterior Color Consulting
			Photo Hints - Photographing your House/ Building for Color Consulting	by Robert Schweitzer
				Historic - Contemporary New Construction Victorians - Bungalows Arts and Crafts - Retro Residential - Commercial Museums
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Digital Camera Images - I prefer digital images

I am equipped to employ digital images, either scanned or from a digital camera. You can send me a CD with images, or attach them to an email message. The best file formats are JPG or TIF. I employ Photoshop software to edit and print them. Many newer cameras produce very large images so please keep images around one meg in size.

Standard Film Images

1) EQUIPMENT 

A) Secure a camera. A 35mm type is best. The "Point & Shoot" variety work fine as do the standard manual focus SLR’s. If you don’t own a camera, neighbors or relatives are a good source to borrow one from. Often they will take the pictures for you. 

B) Purchase film. Any type of inexpensive 35mm color film will be fine. Rolls come in 24 & 36 exposure and typically a 24 exposure roll is sufficient.  When having your film developed get a CD as well as prints and send both to me.

2) WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPH

a) all four sides of the house, as best as you can. I understand that this is not always possible.  Be sure to fill the viewing frame with the house and not to leave too much "white space" around the structure.

b) general large architectural details such as porches (front & back) gables, bays and towers.

c) details such as a typical window and changes in siding types.

d) special details such as bay windows, entryways, doors, brackets and roof cornices and especially close-ups of details on porches.  Inside porches you may want to use a flash.

A simple rule of thumb is - if you are going to put paint on it, then take a photograph of it for me.  I will request any additional images that may be needed.

3) WHEN TO PHOTOGRAPH

a) Try to take the pictures on a cloudy day. If you live in the sunbelt or if the sun is out, make sure it is shining on the face of the part of the building you are photographing. Having a shadow over the surface conceals the details. With this in mind it may take a day or two, at different times during the day for you to be able to photograph the house in the best lighting conditions. You can use the camera flash when taking photos at close range.

b) If you used film - Have the film developed and prints made. Your local Target/Walmart store or mall will have a developing service. The prints need not be costly. Please remember to get the largest standard size available, usually 4 x 6 inches.  You may want an extra set for you own records. It is now possible to have a CD made with your images on it from print film.  It would be very helpful to me if you could do that and send the CD with your prints.

c) Check over the prints. Select the ones that best show the building and its details or just send them all to me. If you wish to label the prints do so with a stick-on label. Often writing on the back of the photos is difficult and it can transfer to the face of the near by print in shipping. Place the photos into an envelope, and mark it "DO NOT BEND -- PHOTOGRAPHS." Send them via your favorite shipping service (FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS, etc.), along with your "Data Form" and check to:

Robert Schweitzer
"Historic Color Consulting"
3661 Waldenwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

NOTE:  when using the U.S. Postal System "Express" mail service don't require a signature from me to receive the package.  I am usually away from this address during the normal work day, and when a signature is required the package can not be left at the house.  All other overnight services, such as FedEx UPS and DHL will leave the package at my address.

Blue Prints and Drawings (New Construction)

I can employ both blue prints and elevation drawings for color placement in new construction projects. It is best if you can supply all four facade renderings in a reduced format - 8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 14 inches work best. Even better is a Jpg or Pdf  images of the facades, most CAD programs can convert their files to those formats.  Your architect or building contractor can secure reduced size versions of your blueprints or construction elevations and or make the Jpg or Pdf files for you.

If you have questions please email me at robs@umich.edu, I'll be happy to discuss any image issue you may have.

Copyright 1997-2007: Robert Schweitzer; revised February 14, 2007