FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please do call us on 07986 861688 or email info@paulcliffordimages.com if you have any questions at all about what we can do for you – we have solved a lot of problems in the past, and we can get around most things!

You can find general information and costs on our services by clicking on the links above. We have compiled the following Frequently Asked Questions based on some of the more specific queries we receive on a regular basis.

There is a box below with individual questons for each area, or click here on Photography, Virtual Tours or
Online e-Brochure Websites to jump to the full questions and answers for that area.
PHOTOGRAPHY

Will I get a good result from my own digital camera?
It may be an acceptable result, but it probably won’t be selling your property, product or people at their best. Without our specialist equipment and lenses it’s fair to say rooms will look a lot smaller, and other images less sharp and detailed than you expected them to, and you may also encounter exposure problems such as over exposed windows and unrealistic colours. The day of the shoot is only a small part of the process for us, most of the work goes on afterwards in post-production to produce the perfect image from a wide range of shots from the same angle.

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Are photographs from Paul Clifford Images best for use on the web or in print?
Both – we produce images at a high resolution of 4288x2848 pixels. This means you can print at a really high quality up to A4 size, and beyond for signboards and so on, plus you can also use the images as big as you wish on the internet. It would wise to resize the images in this case, to ensure a fast appearance on web page. We can help you with this, and also provide you with these smaller low resolution images at no extra cost.

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Are there any licensing costs to use photographs I purchase from Paul Clifford Images?
No – once we have completed and signed off the project we will supply you with the images and you own them outright. There are no further subscription or licensing costs of any kind, and no branding or watermarking on the images. You are free to use the images however, wherever and as often as you please.

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The space I need to photograph is currently occupied / in a mess, is it worth shooting?
Usually yes. We have a lot of experience in this area, and if there are desks or furnishing that don’t look 100% we can usually do something about it either on site or in post-production. Any residents or tenants currently on site will be treated with respect, and we are happy to shoot confidentially when the situation demands it.

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What happens if the weather is terrible on the day of the photo shoot?
In this case, we will usually contact you on the morning of the shoot to discuss what you would like to do. Cloudy or grey days are not a problem as we are able to add natural looking skies and brighten images in post-production. It is only in the case of rain or snow that we encounter real problems and will either reschedule, or capture the interior shots, returning at a later date for externals.

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Will you need to set up large lighting rigs and reflectors?
No. Our experience, combined with professional level digital SLR cameras mean we can shoot multiple exposures on site and create what are called High Dynamic Range images. These advanced techniques mean we are able to eliminate the requirement for any extra lighting on site.

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How are the photographs supplied?
We can supply you the files either via email, via online file sharing or on a CD or DVD as you prefer.

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How much will it cost?
This will vary depending on the project, but we are a small company and you will find our prices very competitive. Please call us on 07986 861688 or email info@paulcliffordimages.com for more details, or for an informal chat about what you need.

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VIRTUAL TOURS

What are the advantages of a Virtual Tour?
We believe a Virtual Tour is absolutely the best way to show off space online, really giving the viewer an experience of being in the property, an experience that they control at their own pace by moving the scenes around and zooming in and out, choosing which to view and so on. The content of a Virtual Tour is straightforward and clear – a panning image of each area or object is shown, delivering information to the viewer and allowing them to have a look around the building without feeling they are being overly sold to or mislead.

A video may show areas they are not interested in, or leave out other areas they wanted to see, or move too quickly or slowly through areas. All most visitors to your website will be interested in is getting information on the building and facilities, at their own pace. A Virtual Tour is ideal for this, and feels genuine and friendly.

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Why do Paul Clifford Images Virtual Tours look so different to others I have seen?
Your aim with online marketing is to deliver clear information about a space – our Virtual Tours do just that. You may have seen ‘bubble’ '360x360’ or ‘immersive’ Tours, where the room stretches around you as you move your mouse around. We believe this format, while appropriate for expansive beaches, mountaintops and so on, really does not work indoors. ‘Bubble’ Tours cause heavy distortion and a lower image quality, which apart from being unpleasant to look at, can be misleading and create mistrust in the viewer. They also need to have 360 degree visibility, which usually means shooting from the middle of the room, which in turn makes everything feel small and close to the viewer.

Our Virtual Tour format gives you sharp images with a high level of detail that show the room off perfectly. Because we can shoot from corners, we are able to choose our angle much more carefully in order to show off the space, and perhaps exclude certain elements as necessary. The format also allows us to shoot a full 360 degree view when appropriate or allowing us to use a wide panorama image that rotates backwards and forwards depending on which best suits the space. Having worked with both Tour formats in the past, we believe our Tours win hands down. Please do contact us on info@paulcliffordimages.com if you would like to discuss these issues further.

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Why don’t Paul Clifford Images Virtual Tours pan all the way up and down?
Panning up and down too far pointlessly reveals more floor and ceiling or ground and sky. By eliminating these elements we create an accurate and straightforward viewing experience, with no potential for getting ‘lost’ or confused in the image. By managing the amount of information shown we also create a smaller file, meaning faster download and viewing times.

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Do your Virtual Tours always have curving distorted walls?
No. Through years of development, our Virtual Tours have become the best on the market because we are experts at what we do. Through a combination of techniques on site and in post-production, we ensure our Virtual Tours provide a realistic and compelling viewing experience, without curving walls.

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Why use a Virtual Tour instead of a video?
Having undertaken customer research into this area over many years, we have found that with a video viewers can feel like control has been taken away from them, and few would sit through a 2 minute video, feeling it was too ‘hard sell’, or they just got bored. Music and video editing styles change, and a video can start to look out of date very quickly, whereas a simple pictorial Tour does not have these problems, and elements can be updated easily. Videos come with a lot of problems - no interactive element of a website can be guaranteed to be viewable by every visitor, because of the huge range of systems, settings, browsers and security out there.

Our Virtual Tours run using Flash, so are instantly visible by about 99% of desktop visitors within a second or two. Adding our alternative versions in Java and Universal smartphone/tablet versions, we offer a wide amount of compatibility. The figures for a format like video are much lower, and many visitors will see nothing at all, or give up waiting, or worse still, their browser may crash or freeze. If the video does load, quality will be variable, and the sound or image may stutter or freeze. Another thing to consider is that the areas shown in a Virtual Tour can be removed or added as space becomes let or refurbished, and we can also replace them with newly shot scenes. With a video, you may find some parts of the content are no longer relevant, and a whole new re-edit will need to be commissioned.

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Will the Virtual Tour work on mobile phones and tablets such as the iPhone and iPad?
Yes - our unique Universal format Virtual Tour has been specifically designed to use simple code that will run smoothly on smartphones and tablets. Other Tours make this claim, but often crash or freeze or run very slowly, if at all.

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How is the Virtual Tour created?
We come to you or to the property – meeting you, the client, security or the residents as necessary. After discussing the Tour, touring the property or examining the object, we will capture a series of images and exposures which we then combine later to create a seamless, perfectly exposed and balanced Virtual Tour scene.

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Will you need to set up large lighting rigs and reflectors?
No. Our professional level digital SLR cameras mean we can shoot multiple exposures on site and create what are called High Dynamic Range images. These advanced techniques mean we are able to eliminate the requirement for any extra lighting on site.

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How long does the Virtual Tour take to create?
Depending on the volume of space, items or rooms, and the type of property or object we are shooting, the shoot on site can take anything from one hour to a whole day. However, most shoots take around one and a half to two hours. The final Virtual Tour itself should be emailed over to you to view online for approval after three working days.

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Can you create a Virtual Tour from photography I already have?
Possibly - it very depends on the type of images you have. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

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How much will it cost?
This will vary depending on the project, but we are a small company and you will find our prices very competitive. Please call us on 07986 861688 or email info@paulcliffordimages.com for more details, or for an informal chat about what you need.

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I have a location that may require many Virtual Tour scenes, how many can I include?
We will shoot as many scenes as you like on the day, leaving you to pick and choose the scenes you would like to keep when the Tour is completed. There is no obligation for you to purchase all the scenes shot on the day. The standard Tour cost includes four scenes, with extra scenes charged accordingly, however we are happy to negotiate a reduced cost for packages that include extra scenes as standard.

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The space I need to photograph is currently occupied / in a mess, is it worth shooting?
Usually yes. We have a lot of experience in this area, and if there are desks or furnishing that don’t look 100% we can usually do something about it either on site or in post-production. Any residents on site will be treated with respect, and we are happy to shoot confidentially when the situation demands it. If you have any doubts, please do get in touch and we will be happy to discuss your property with you.

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The property is currently being refurbished / completed / re-branded. Can I have some Virtual Tour scenes photographed now and add some later?
A subsequent shoot can be easily arranged at your convenience and newly shot scenes incorporated into the Virtual Tour as appropriate.

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Are your Virtual Tours suitable for small rooms?
We can provide Virtual Tours for the smallest of areas and show them off to their best. Because we are not limited to shooting 360 degree rotating shots, we are able to shoot from the ideal angle to open up a space.

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What happens if the weather is terrible on the day of the photo shoot?
In this case, we will usually contact you on the morning of the shoot to discuss what you would like to do. Cloudy or grey days are not a problem as we are able to add natural looking skies and brighten images in post-production. It is only in the case of rain or snow that we encounter real problems and will either reschedule, or capture the interior shots, returning at a later date for externals.

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How is the Virtual Tour supplied?
The complete Tour files will be sent to you either via email, via online file sharing or on a CD or DVD as you prefer. We can supply in Java, Flash, ActiveX and/or emailable formats as you require.

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How do I include the Virtual Tour on my website?
The most popular way to include a Virtual Tour is in a popup window, so the viewer can either press a button or click some text to view it. You can also incorporate the Tour directly into a page. Either way, the Tour is runs using Java, Flash or ActiveX and is quite straightforward to use, and we are happy to work with you or your IT department to get it up and running.

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Do I have to use the standard viewer frame for the Virtual Tour?
No, we can design a branded viewer for you featuring company branding throughout, or design the viewer to fit seamlessly into an existing website. Also we can provide “frameless” Tours that fit directly into websites without the need for a viewer.

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Can you provide Virtual Tours in a different size? Yes. Our Virtual Tours can be produced in any shape or size – wide or tall, large or small, to meet your specific requirements.

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I don’t have a website – how can I get the Virtual Tour online?
If you do not have a website or online space, we can host the Virtual Tour for you on a web page, this is an annual cost of £50+VAT. Or you could consider our Online e-Brochure Website package, which can include a Virtual Tour as part of a fully featured website.

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How long will the Virtual Tour take to download?
On practically all connections, the scenes will appear almost instantaneously.

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Are there any subscription costs for the Virtual Tour?
No – once you have purchased the Virtual Tour we will send you the complete files and you own them outright. There are no further subscription or licensing costs of any kind. You are free to use the Virtual Tour however, wherever and as often as you please. If you do not have a website or online space, we can host the Virtual Tour for you on a web page, this is an annual cost of £50+VAT – however this is entirely optional and rarely required.

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ONLINE E-BROCHURES

If you have a question about the Virtual Tour element of the website, you may find the answer in the Virtual Tour FAQ above.

Are the e-Brochures the same as websites?
Yes. The e-Brochures are based around a particular kind of website we are able to produce quickly for those on a tight budget. Every website (Simple, Expanded or Deluxe) has it’s own www. web address which you can quote on emails, literature, advertisements etc.

Click here to return to the Online e-Brochure Website questions.

Do you only produce websites for the property market?
No. Whilst the majority of our business comes from the commercial property sector, we have also produced websites for hospitals, catering facilities, schools, business centres, restaurants, bars, landmarks and hotels. As you know, a website can advertise anything at all!

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Can I choose any www. address I want?
We offer both .co.uk and .com addresses, plus many others. We will perform some research for you and send you a range of available addresses, which will hopefully be suitable, or you can try again with a different address entirely. On occasion the web address you want may already have been taken by another party.

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Can I choose the colours for the website?
Absolutely. If you have certain colours in mind we can match them perfectly. Some ideas for colours may come from your logo, printed material being produced for the marketing, or perhaps from design elements in the property itself. These are entirely flexible and can be changed at anytime later on.

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Can I include my own attachments and links as part of the website?
Yes. Pretty much anything can be added via pop-up or download links. If you already have sufficient photography, we can incorporate that into a Simple or Expanded website to keep your costs down.

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Can I include printable details?
Yes, we can add these linked directly from the website. This facility allows viewers to quickly and easily print off a physical copy of the details to take away from their desk. They can be provided to us in any format, usually as a PDF or Word document. If you have no printable details, we will be happy to produce a text document for you at no extra cost.

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Is there an additional cost to change the details once the website is live?
No. All changes to the website such as text, email addresses, logos, colours and contacts are included in the initial cost for a period of 9 months. We usually perform updates within one day, usually within the hour. Should the website still be required after that period, there is an annual renewal fee which covers all such changes, as well as renewing the domain name and keeping the website live 24/7 on our secure web servers. The only additional cost would arise if we need to visit a property to capture photography or Virtual Tour scenes at a later date.

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Can multiple contact details be included in the website?
Yes. We can include up to three sets of full contact details, including company, names, telephone numbers and live linked email addresses. Each company’s logo can also feature if required, with links to their website.

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Is the cost of the www. domain name / interactive map / Virtual Tour / Photo Gallery included?
Yes. Different elements are included as part of the different packages. Everything you need to have a fully functioning, fully featured website is included in the cost – you can see a full breakdown of what is included on the Online e-Brochure Websites page.

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Can I include both a Photo Gallery and a Virtual Tour?
Yes. The Deluxe Website includes a 12 image Photo Gallery or 4 scene Virtual Tour as standard. There is a small additional cost to include both.

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How long does the website take to create?
The website will usually be complete and online within three working days for Simple and Expanded Websites, and three working days after the photographic shoot for Deluxe Websites. This fast turnaround allows you to have your website live on the Internet in a fraction of the time it would take to create a bespoke website or printed brochure.

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What is the procedure for shooting the Virtual Tour?
For the answer to this and other Virtual Tour questions please take a look at the Virtual Tour FAQs above.

Click here to return to the Online e-Brochure Website questions.

How does the monthly ‘hit report’ detailing visits to the website work?
Specialised code is included with your website to ensure the number of visits it receives are constantly recorded. If you require details of how effective your website is as part of your marketing campaign we can provide you with monthly updates upon request for no additional charge. More bespoke, detailed reporting such as search terms that led to website visits, geographical location of visitors is also available, please contact us for details.

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How much will it cost?
One of the most appealing aspects of the e-Brochure websites is the set costs that will not vary. Please see the Online
e-Brochure Websites page for full details.

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