Thanks, I have been using a Streamlight Stinger 800 lumen flashlight for the last 15 or so years. Excellent flashlight, plenty bright enough for inspections. The problem is the concentrated beam washes out the center of the picture. I wanted to primarily use the iPhone 14 camera as it is one less thing to carry - the photos are excellent, except for the attics and crawl space. In the past I used a Fuji camera which is good enough pictures - just not good enough for me. I’ve been doing inspections for over 30-years and I want my reports and the photo content to look professional. Prior to the Stinger I used the rechargeable Maglight cop flashlight. So, yes, I agree with you that a quality flashlight is essential. I have a drawer full of flashlights I’ve tried throughout the years. I have been experimenting in my garage with the lights off and made some adjustments to the camera settings, which helped.
I’m going to take Randy Mayo’s advice and use a floodlight for those two areas. I appreciate everyone’s input.
I use the Fenix LR35R. It’s a blow torch flashlight. I can’t believe I spent that much for it and it is one of my best purchases.
As for as using a phone for photos…I’ll state the obvious…it’s a phone with a camera. I have an iphone, too and it takes good photos, similar to those old instamatic cameras. If you want good photos, use a camera.
But the plain truth is that most inspectors don’t even try to take good illustrative photos. Over and over when I am reviewing reports, the photos are darn near worthless in showing whatever the inspector is describing.
The first picture does not look to be in focus and the 2nd does not have sufficient light. I never use the attic lights but use my Coast adjustable beam head lamp for back lighting and the flash on my iPhone. I have used the iPhone for all attic and crawlspace pictures. I usually check all my photos before I leave an area so I do not get pictures I cannot use in my reports. My iPhone and headlamp work great for all my attic and crawlspace photos. I can really get good photos of straps at the roof to wall attachment for wind mitigation report. I just use the headlamp beam to illuminate the strap and the iPhone focuses right in on it.
I use a NEBO headband light and a small Nebo mini attached to my selfie stick and get all the light I need.
I use a digital camera. I review the pictures before I put them in the report and bring out the shadows with a program called ACDsee. If you use too powerful a flashlight then the flash wont work. But if you do have a powerful flashlight and want to use the flash the aim the flashlight so it is not in the viewfinder. Typically you do want the flash to work because you’re taking a picture of a defect and a flash gives the best results up close.
Jess,
- Must carry 2 or Three Flashlights. Hand held and Tripod supported to place accordingly to properly illuminate the area. You are a photographer on-the-site!
- Any iPhone model will capture a High Definition image if properly illuminated and/or adequate adjustment to the picture Exposure Time (but you will have to hold device steady to avoid shaky movements during the aperture lapse of the lense.)
- Picture editing is a must for me. I don’t do “one hour turn around” flash reports. I take my time to “enhance” the images to increase communication skills on one take. “”I am sure you heard this before “One picture talks one thousand words”. What’s the rush?
Use a slave flash with a diffuser.
If you are relying on the phone flash to get adequate lighting for your area pictures in those bigger spaces, your are dramatically overestimating the strength of it. Plus, you will drain your phone battery too fast.
Iphone 12 ProMax with supplemental light from Fenix flashlight:
I’m also using a Fenix flashlight, @bhull1 . It’s got some serious power, and the charging makes it a less maintenance option than one with regular batteries. A seamstress made me a custom holster for it that works well.
One hour turn around??? It takes me three days to get my photos back from the Kodak booth.