canon Lee

Well finally I have a new and improved technique for shooting real estate interiors that have bight windows and dark interiors...
First of all I put my flash away, and took out my tripod... Yes I will be shooting ambient light without a flash... Here is how it is done.. With camera mounted on my tripod, I set my mode to Aperture, ( F8 to start just a guess) to get the shutter speed for the exposure.. I make sure that my camera light meter is "0", and then switch to Manual mode where I enter the settings.. I might have to center the bracketing back to center in order to get the correct Aperture, where I started out with F8, BTW I am using a Canon that has a "Q" button so that I can simplify & speed up changing the settings ( one of my complaints about Nikon) .. Then I set a +/- 2 stops bracketing. ( holding down the shutter release cable till all 3 shots are completed).... Then to LR for HDR. works like a charm. I know there are those pros out there that use expensive complicated lighting, but real estate agents are notoriously cheap and not that demanding... All they want are sharp well lit shots for the net..
I must say this technique is so simple, not depending on bouncing flash or relying on TTL ( which is not always correct), adding the weight of my Canon 580EXII... BADDA BOOK BADDA BOOM....

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I for one would like to see some shots!!
Pat

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

I shoot for f8 RE Media. Very specific instructions. f8, 100 ISO, tripod -2, +2, 0. Very consistant and predictable. All are processed with Photomatrix and PScc.

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jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Interesting, I found just the opposite. I had been doing HDR just as you described and was never happy with the results. I then "discovered" exposing for the outdoors and adding light to the interior with flash. I found this much easier and better then HDR. Whatever works, I guess.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

I know this has nothing to do with technique but what is wrong with the ceiling? It looks like sagging paper.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

A Sony camera would do all this IN CAMERA ......with a single push of the shutter button.

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canon Lee

Hi Pat.... I have a shoot next week... I'll share them .... Real estate photography is a whole new type of shoot, since I do mostly studio shoots with lighting.. Shooting Ambient is new to me without a flash... I have always relied on E-TTL when shooting bright or low light... The reason this technique works so well is that it is designed for interiors where the window light blows out, which means a need for bracketing... Not at all like in a studio or wedding shoots with a flash... Of course this is a great technique, because not only is it quick but I don't have to lug my expensive mono lights/umbrellas and stands.. I will be able to mount my camera on a tripod, & walk from room to room... HDR so easy now in LR..
A real estate agent told me recently that she is going to be using professional shots from now on, as it has proven to her that she can sell faster because she has more showings..

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

.most of the ceilings looked that way. Anything could have happened over 100 years. Looked like paper mache.

canon Lee

Hello Jack....As you know, the problem with interiors is when the light outside is brighter than inside... Whether you use a flash or shoot ambient it is necessary to use bracketing, whether or you are using flash exposure bracketing, or in Manual using a fixed aperture and vary the shutter bracketing.. Eliminating a flash makes things easier... I have always used a flash and turned the flash output, up and down like you, but bracketing is fast and HDR handles it great. I set the aperture and bracket for the shutter... This way I never have to worry about depth of field, needing a too low of an aperture....
Bracketing is the key and HDR is designed for high dynamic range shoots.... I do understand that you are using a flash and exposing for the window, & lighting up the room with flash exposure... If it works for you, then by all means continue your technique.. I try to avoid flash for its shadows and unreal look...
As a professional full time photographer I would never produce an interior with a blown out window... I am sure there are those that would, as it doesn't matter to them.. The remarkable fact is in photography there is more than one way to shoot.... High dynamic range of light calls for a special type of technique....

canon Lee

Hi... Your photo looks unevenly lit... cropping out the bad celling would be my first edit... But with a little LR edits it could be attractive.. Did you use a flash? Did you bracket? HDR?

canon Lee

Hi image... Not sure I understand what you mean by, "would do all this IN CAMERA"? Are you saying the camera will "automatically" make the settings, like exposure, bracketing, flash bracketing? How does your camera know what you are looking for in a shot. Once I set up my exposure, & bracketing, the camera brackets... What does your camera do that my Canon doesn't? Is there an HDR setting and the camera sets the bracket and exposure automatically? Id like to know how that is done....

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I am now using bounce light which eliminates shadows and nearly always gets the white balance right. I did HDR for a long time and it just didn't look right to me. My single 580EX flash will easily light up a room using bounce unless it is a very large room, then HDR can be used.

My Canons (6D and 6D2) will do in-camera HDR but I don't care much for the end result. PS or Photomatix works better when HDR is required.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Corporate does all the pp. no flash allowed. +/-2 her. Policy is to turn on all lights but this lady didn't believe in lightbulbs... No AC. Nor ice cubes. Quirky.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Lee, whether I choose to use flash, hot lights or just ambient light really depends on the budget and expectations, along with the quality of the lighting if I am using ambient. Below are two shots of the same dining room, using a mix of ambient and chandelier light. Single exposure in each case, first as the camera captured it and second after a little post processing.

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PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Good conversation.