real estate editing (Page 2): Yes they are as I followed the video exactly. Have you tried the Darken technique yet? did it work for you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzPXZfP6fV4...

canon Lee

jdubu wrote:

Are your layers in the correct order when you are brushing in darken mode?

Yes they are as I followed the video exactly. Have you tried the Darken technique yet? did it work for you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzPXZfP6fV4 Give it a try and let me know if it worked for you.

RPW

This is an easy fix I learned from my old film days in photography school. Take a light reading through the window and set aperture and shutter speed accordingly. Then use flash to light the interior. You will have a correct exposure inside and out.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've relied on ETTR exposure techniques.
--Bob

canon Lee wrote:

I do real estate photography and want to upgrade m... (show quote)

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

There is very little need for post processing if you set the fstop for your flash distance, then set your shutter for the appropriate outside ambient. You may have to play with the iso and the settings and distance to get it right, but as a South Florida (with great water views, Realtor), I can vouch for it!

Metis407 Loc: Canada

Use HDR and bracket the shot. Plus/minus 2 or 3 stops. Use Skylum Aurora app to combine shots. I used this all the time when I was an agent. Works very well

DWHart24 Loc: Central Florida

Sounds like your technique is correct. For the window pull, expose for the window itself then light the window up with your speed light. The darken mode works great if the window is lit correctly.

DSC_7273 by David Hart, on Flickr

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

DWHart24 wrote:

Sounds like your technique is correct. For the window pull, expose for the window itself then light the window up with your speed light. The darken mode works great if the window is lit correctly.

DSC_7273 by David Hart, on Flickr

David, that's a great photo! Thanks.

DWHart24 Loc: Central Florida

bsprague wrote:

David, that's a great photo! Thanks.

Thanks and you're welcome!

I also suggest Nathan Cool Photo on Youtube. Very well done tutorials.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

RPW wrote:

This is an easy fix I learned from my old film days in photography school. Take a light reading through the window and set aperture and shutter speed accordingly. Then use flash to light the interior. You will have a correct exposure inside and out.

I use this method also but I'm not sure I would consider it an "easy" fix. Exposing the windows is easy but sometimes the flash part requires some trial and error attempts to get acceptable results.

kenArchi Loc: Seal Beach, CA

I have used hard flash to bring in the window but you loose the ambience of the room.

Is there a program which knows how to convey how you want the final picture to look?

So I take 3-5 photos and pick 2 or 3 to create the final photo.

The only program I have is PSE.

Here is a sample of my photo. 3 out of 6 exposures and 10 minutes later the final.
I used two white umbrella with fill flash.

Notice that I added the blue sky.

I also use a CPL to reduce glare on floors, ceilings, cabinets, etc.

(Download)

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

canon Lee wrote:

Yes they are as I followed the video exactly. Have you tried the Darken technique yet? did it work for you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzPXZfP6fV4 Give it a try and let me know if it worked for you.

Hi Lee,

Did you find your answer? If you did, then just disregard. If not, is it possible to post your two images to troubleshoot?

I successfully use this technique often. In your case, the interior components must be brighter than the outside for it to work. The darken bend mode just replaces the lighter pixels with the darker pixels. The mask just confines the edit to your area of interest.

Mike

CloudyCoastPhotography

canon Lee wrote:

I do real estate photography and want to upgrade m... (show quote)

Hello fellow real estate photog!
What you need to do is shoot HDR in each room. You can google how, or I can email you an “HDR Cheat Sheet” if you’d like. Message me at cptdanoldham@live.com and I can send it to you. You won’t even need a flash, just a sturdy tripod, a remote shutter (wired or wireless) or a steady shutter finger, and obviously a DSLR. Your camera may even have a bracketing option but I prefer manual with exposure adjustments. Anyhow, let me know if you want the cheat sheet; if not, Google “HDR photography” and you will be good to go!
Dan

canon Lee

DWHart24 wrote:

Sounds like your technique is correct. For the window pull, expose for the window itself then light the window up with your speed light. The darken mode works great if the window is lit correctly.

DSC_7273 by David Hart, on Flickr

Hi David. I am now aware that the exposure of the window has to be within a certain level for "darken" to work. Sounds like a lot of trial and error. On a more practical level, I am more concerned with editing time for each shot and this magical technique would take me more time than if I took an interior and window shot separate and cut the window out. The going rate where I live is only $100.00. The shots are only used as thumb nails on a MLS.. As long as I get the interior well lit and sharp and the window not too blown out I know my clients would be happy. It's a lot better than the agents using their I-Phones. So not to create offending some of the Pros, I will go with my usual shoot, & leave this technique for those that do magazine and publications. I am just a hard working photographer not a legion LOL. Just thought the technique would save me time.

canon Lee

canon Lee wrote:

Hi David. I am now aware that the exposure of the... (show quote)

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

canon Lee wrote:

I suspect that the room being so much darker than ... (show quote)

Wow - the final result (from watching video) is certainly dramatic. It is amazing what Photoshop can do.