Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Photo Analysis
Backlight problem
Page 1 of 3 next> last>>
Apr 6, 2017 10:55:24   #
roadapplemax Loc: Browns Valley Ca
 
I am learning to do photography for my realtor wife. I frequently encounter the problem of shooting against windows from inside a less than well-lit room. Particularly when doing a multi-frame panoramic. I am using a Canon Rebel T6i with 10-22mm wide angle lens. Help please.



Reply
Apr 6, 2017 10:58:04   #
catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway
 
Dual exposure and stack them in editing :)

Reply
Apr 6, 2017 11:04:46   #
lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania
 
Looks like a good use for a tripod and bracketed raw exposures that you then combine in one of the HDR programs that are available.

Reply
 
 
Apr 6, 2017 11:12:46   #
PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA
 
I don't know if this will help, BUT, here are 2 shots taken minutes apart facing a window overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on a sunny day. The first was taken normally. In the second I used flash to brighten the inside to the level of the window. These are images scanned from prints from a 35mm film camera.





Reply
Apr 6, 2017 11:23:14   #
WayneT Loc: Paris, TN
 
HDR helps a lot in situations like this, you may need to go as high as 5 shots and experiment with the light differences between each shot to get a combined photo that levels off the bright light from the window. The other possibility is to add lighting in the foreground but you would need more than one light source.

Reply
Apr 6, 2017 11:28:26   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Watch all the "HDR is the only solution" replies to this one.
--Bob

roadapplemax wrote:
I am learning to do photography for my realtor wife. I frequently encounter the problem of shooting against windows from inside a less than well-lit room. Particularly when doing a multi-frame panoramic. I am using a Canon Rebel T6i with 10-22mm wide angle lens. Help please.

Reply
Apr 6, 2017 11:28:41   #
bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY
 
First thing I would try would be fill flash for the darker room, would be nice to get a bit less burnout on the windows, try changing the light bulbs in the darker room to brighter, I'd avoid HDR and Stacking just because if you have a bunch it's going to take time, time is money in RE photography even if it's for your wife, Bob.

Reply
 
 
Apr 6, 2017 11:30:17   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
First off, forget using on camera flash, the light is too harsh and direct, you'll need a shoe mounted flash. Get yourself a good flash diffuser, like Gary Fong's lightsphere, and practice using bounce flash to "fill" the room. Bounce flash will soften the light. Secondly, image quality is paramount. Also, with a big room shot, you may need a second strobe in the far room remotely fired with your camera.

While your exposure and lighting may be perfect, you need to enhance your photographs to effectively show off the home. Remember you are producing photographs to sell something, not win awards.
Based on real estate photography I've seen in Los Angeles, in camera HDR or post production HDR will give your images the "bounce" you need.

Are you doing this for web presentation, or for print? If web based, consider getting a drone, like a Mavic, for ariel shots.

Reply
Apr 6, 2017 11:32:12   #
jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ
 
HDR

Reply
Apr 6, 2017 11:35:43   #
boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander
 
I can't tell if the windows have some kind of "window treatments" shades or draperies. If so close them. And use flash. You might also use some kind of off caamera fill flash if no window treatments. Sorta like when fill flash is used for a back lit portrait.

Reply
Apr 6, 2017 11:41:44   #
oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA
 
For quick and dirty, expose for window and use bounce/fill/difused TTL flash for interior.

Reply
 
 
Apr 6, 2017 12:09:45   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
First off, forget using on camera flash, the light is too harsh and direct, you'll need a shoe mounted flash. Get yourself a good flash diffuser, like Gary Fong's lightsphere, and practice using bounce flash to "fill" the room...


While I have never used a Fong lightsphere, I am not sure it would be any better than bounce from the ceiling. The main thing you want is a light source that is very large so that the shadow edges are softened. While the Fong lightsphere will help to do this I think that it throws away light. Just aiming your shoe mounted flash at the ceiling (or possibly the wall behind you) will give you a large spot of light coming from above that will do a good job softening shadows. The Fong lightsphere is desisgned to throw light in all directions, many of which will not contribute significantly to your lighting. And just using the ceiling is cheaper than putting money into the lightsphere.

Since you're taking photos of interiors, most of your ceilings will be moderate to low heights and you will get a good return.

Another thing you might consider is getting a couple more strobes and learn how to do off-camera lighting. It can be done wirelessly so you don't need cables cluttering up the foreground. Last time I did some RE shots I had two strobes that I could hide in the corners off to the side and bounce light from the walls behind me.

Also, an ultrawide lens is sometimes useful, but be aware that if you use one there may be distortions of the subject that makes the walls lean or curve. Lightroom does have some tools that will correct for lens distortions as long is the lens model is contained in their databese. Both LR and PS have ways to correct leaning walls with perspective correcting tools.

By the way, unless the outdoors is particularly scenic, blowing out the windows avoids distractions that would take the focus away from the interior of the room.

Reply
Apr 6, 2017 13:50:09   #
mackphotos Loc: Washington, DC
 
I would avoid HDR it's time-consuming. Check out Scott Hargis' Lighting for Real Estate Interiors. He does most of his exposure work in-camera then minor tweaks in LR. Expose for the window, if it has a nice 'selling point' view try to get it, then use off-camera flash to fill/diffuse or bounce the light in the rest of the space.

Reply
Apr 6, 2017 14:29:17   #
Stuart Perry Loc: Menifee, CA
 
If you are going to do Real Estate Photography, a Tripod is a must as well as a decent Flash. Also your Lens Speed, (the maximum aperture diameter, or minimum f-number of a lens) A lens with a larger maximum aperture is called a "fast lens" because it delivers more light. It will take a lot of practice so don't get discouraged. I start with 320 ISO and shutter speed of 160 and adjust accordingly, though shutter speed does not effect the output of the flash.The best variables are Aperture and Flash intensity. Lower the height of the ceiling, Floors are more interesting. Use the diffuser and angle it slightly behind the camera to avoid harsh shadows on light fixtures and ceiling fans. I hope this helps and happy shooting.











Reply
Apr 6, 2017 14:55:45   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
Dad about and learn different ways of, "balancing the light".
Then you'll understand what you need to do. Good luck
SS

Reply
Page 1 of 3 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Photo Analysis
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.