Brian Roberts Loc: NC

I am currently doing interior photos for several local Realtors, and hope to get better results with some advice from UHH. I am using the Canon 5D with a 16-35 'L' lens, set up for aperture priority and post processing with LR5 and Photoshop. My goal is to allow exterior images such as green leaves, trees, etc. to appear through the windows, and believe that HDR might be the answer. Would anyone have any suggestions?

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Yes, thats a "toughie". My approach would be HDR with just two exposures, one exposure for the interior and one for the exterior.

RegisG Loc: Mid-Tennessee

That would be interesting from photographer point of view. But, as a former realtor folks want to see interior and exterior. A clever shot like you are talking about would not get much appreciation. A video clip walking up to that window/door and then continuing outside would also be cool.

Just a thought.

RegisG

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

It is a simple thing to do without HDR if you are using flash. You simply set the shutter speed for your ambient light, outside and your f stop for your flash and you have what you are looking for. It is basic photography really. If you are not using flash indoors then of course you need to do what has already been suggested.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Google this and you'll be surprised at what you find. There is an art to good real estate photos. I believe it has to do with good lighting and turning on lights at the property. Also, it helps to take night shots of the exterior and have interior lights turned on. Many people are turning to quad drone copters with GoPro cameras to do exterior videos of property.

Brian Roberts Loc: NC

I appreciate all of the good info, can anyone recommend a HDR software that they are happy with?

wisner Loc: The planet Twylo

Photomatix is the 'go to' software for HDR; fairly easy to use. If you have Photoshop CS 5 or later, there is a 'merge to HDR Pro' command that works very well and would by my choice for this project. Do your bracketing using Aperture Priority to avoid differences in depth of field.
Good luck!

Wendy2 Loc: California

I am a real estate photographer. I set the exposure for the windows and add flashes to expose the interior. Sometimes I have to layer the shots to get a good view out the window. I don't use HDR because it does not look as nice or realistic.

I use dropbox to share the photos with my clients.

Here is one I just shot yesterday. I used no HDR and no layering in any of these shots. http://www.dropbox.com/sh/1i117oru2x7shdg/AABBQZq6qBMVEOkdREZmJuAya

This is another shoot that was the most difficult I have done because the house was decorated in very dark colors and I had to pull out all my flashes to light it.
http://www.dropbox.com/sh/o95iwlavsk2yvf4/AAALUxYCq234VsSE5xLTtwgoa

Brian Roberts Loc: NC

Wow! You have done some very nice work! I would love to learn more of how you do the flash work..?

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Brian,

You have a tough project in mind, there is a way to resolve your problem. HDR is one choice and will present its own problems.

Setting your camera up for Exposure Compensation is another, and possibly the better choice. Try the following in your own home first.
1. Set the camera up for one - three external flash units controlled by the camera hot shoe. This requires ETTL exposure control.
2. Pick a manual ISO where the flash output will illuminate the entire room ahead of the camera. (ISO = 200 - 400).
3. Set the camera mode control to "Program". This will allow the camera to control the exposure and flash independently.
4. Point the camera out the window, with the center spot exposure box targeted to the bright area (not the sky), and press the back button for exposure lock. This will set the shutter duration for correct exposure out the window.
5. Point the camera "Center Spot Focus" square on the wall to be included in the composition, depress the shutter button half way. This will set focus lock for the scene and set the flash output for the room. The flash output will be controlled by the light measurement of the flash coming (TTL) through the lens.
6. Re-compose the scene in the viewfinder, make sure the center spot metering square is not near the window. Press the shutter button all the way down to capture the scene.

The above recommendations are based on decades old photographic practices with film cameras, but with the addition of modern camera electronic measurements and controls.

Another option you can try for effects is to use Ev (Exposure Compensation Values). You can set the Ev to -.3 to -2Ev to reduce the exposure out the window. You can set the Flash Ev to any where between +2 to -2Ev for effect on the flash exposure.

Good luck,

Michael G

RegisG Loc: Mid-Tennessee

Really nice set and nice house. I see those shower doors catch most everyone (like 22 & 24). Bet you have a satisfied customer. Did you video walk through too?

RegisG

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Start with a couple of speedlites, stands, umbrella', remote triggers and a wide angle lens. You'll get the hang of it in no time. Remember, turn the lights on, expose for what you see out the windows, then try it with your speedlites set to ETTL or equivalent. You'll get some nice results and when you get more familiar with your speedlites you might want a good meter and to learn to use your lights in manual mode for a more creative result.

Wendy2 Loc: California

Thanks!

My flashes are off camera and triggered with with some inexpensive Cowboy Studios transceivers and receivers. I have them set to manual and bounce the light off ceilings, walls and sometimes handheld reflectors.

lbrandt79 Loc: League City, Tx.

Nice Wendy. That second one was done well and can see that it was a challenge but you nailed it.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Photomatix is what most people use for HDR. More and more real estate photos use HDR these days - and the benefits include no shadows as well as bringing the outside in by allowing you to see what's outside from the inside. Photomatix is very easy to learn to use. The easiest way to do the HDR is the use priority aperture and then do a 3-shot exposure bracket. You can do a 5-shot bracket (or even more), but many cameras will do a 3-shot bracket automatically and so that makes it pretty easy. You will need a tripod and cable release to do that.