Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

How about one shot HDR. I take shots of people/events at an Alzheimer care facility with many windows opening to an interior courtyard. I expose for the windows or within one or two stops. I adjust the raw image to have the windows exposed like I want them and save a jpg. I re-adjust the raw image for the rest of the room and save a second jpg. Then in post processing I layer the two images and use masking to show the correctly exposed areas of the two layers. The layers align perfectly since they came from the same raw image. I can hand hold and get good images even of people who may be in motion. It takes some pp but it works for me. It could be used for RE photography by anyone with time on their hands. (I am strictly amateur.)

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

In other words, lots of cameras today, including Canons, can do in-camera HDR.

canon Lee

Hi Guyseman... I think you should consider bracketing 3 shots..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKxihcKLOwk

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

I have used three shot bracketing on occasion but when shooting people hand held it just doesn't work for me. I don't have any of those high-powered HDR programs and Photoshop Elements does not do a very good job aligning the images. Sometimes I use fill flash but I like to do it the way I do for the best window results.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I have found this topic interesting because I retired from shooting RE and architecture. From my experience, the subject property more or less demands how you are going to shoot it. HDR, strobe(s), shims, or a mix (flambient). Also, what you are being paid for the amount of time and effort you require to do the job. I don't like blown-out windows that are prevalent on architectural shoots but sometimes they are appropriate even on RE shoots. You are telling a story of a home and you are to convey a feeling that will attract someone to wish to preview it in person. Images are a hook and nothing more. The reason houses with excellent photographs sell quicker is because they often get more personal viewings. The key image, in my opinion, is the elevation image. The front of the house. Buyers often drive neighborhoods looking – they can't see inside but how the house looks from the outside often attracts them. The same applies to someone seeing a flyer, MLS image, facebook image or, newspaper image. That's about a 3 second hook to get them to look further. Some people shoot the interior to make it look huge. I have found that 18mm to 35mm works great. I usually shot a room using two points and always attempted to show a window (not blown). Sometimes a single point image works well. I seldom shot a room without having all the lights on. I have moved lightbulbs around when they messed up the white balance. I used mostly bounce flash because it worked well for me in most instances. I used f/7.1, ISO 320 and a shutter speed that varied greatly depending on the ambient light (1/30 to 1/200) and manual mode. If I had an entire shoot HDR I would use Aperture priority and 3 shots on 2 steps. I mostly did that for play and so I wouldn't be in a rut.Don't get set on "one-way-is-right". You may have to use all the techniques on a shoot so learn them all. I only shot swimming pools off-hand. I used a good carbon tripod and a geared Manfroto head. I used tilt-shift often but mostly a Nikon 14-24 f/2.8. Elevations I would often use a 24mm tilt-shift or a Nikon 24-70 f/2.8. I have used pole mounted cameras and I often had a tripod mounted on a hard surfaced deck mounted on my truck bed. That would give me 7' to 9' elevation.

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

With current wide dynamic range cameras and current raw converters, the need to do this is minimized. I used to do this when I owned a Nikon D200 back in 2007, but the D800/D810 has all the dynamic range I need, so I can take a single raw shot, and the results, particularly in the darker shadow areas is usually pretty good. That's what I did for the two views of the dining room.

Sharona Loc: Alpharetta, Georgia

This describes my technique closely as a busy real estate photographer, except for the tilt shift lens and pole. I do vary the Iso between 125 and 400, aperture usually 7.1 indoors and 9-16 outside. Companies do the pp, however for one company I bracket 3 for exteriors in aperture priority mode and merge with photomatix using natural fusion setting, no tone mapping. This works well for interiors in rooms with darker interiors and bright windows, or anywhere I want a more premium result. I don't let the underexposed image get too dark, just enough to pull a window view. Too dark or using tone mapping can cause shadows, muddy uneven walls and ceilings. The shutter speed varies greatly on manual shots with ttl bounced flash. This is not Architectural Digest, but agents are very pleased with the photographs at the competitive price points. It is fairly high volume for me, but does not feel like work as it is so enjoyable. May upgrade to full frame in future but really not needed for this. I use Nikon D7100, Nikon 10-24 mm and sb700 speedlight with included diffuser, Manfrotto tripod with 410jr geared head.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Yes, Jack ... I think that's right - upper-level cameras, anyway ...

I did check my 60D and Rebel T4i - both bought in 2012 - but neither one has the feature (and the latter has a touch-screen) ....

Didn't bother to check the Rebel T3, though ....

But, I think you're right ... most MODERN DSLRs - have some kind of HDR ... even my Pentax K-50 - as you saw ....

The Sony models do it one better, though - with their Superior Auto setting ... which not only invokes HDR, but does a lot of other fine tuning, too ....

Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

Dilly Dilly

canon Lee

First of all you need a good tripod to take HDR.. Each image has to be aligned... For only $10.00 per month, you can download Adobe CC (creative cloud), and get LightRoom and Photoshop... LR will have HDR and merges.....
If you really want to do HDR, you will need to spend a few bucks...

canon Lee

?????? dilly dilly????

canon Lee

dilly 2 |ˈdɪli|
adjective (dillier, dilliest) Australian/NZ informal, dated
odd; foolish.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

He's in Indiana, though ... Huntington ....

Lee ... check out the Sony offerings ... you will save yourself a lotta trouble, My Friend ...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Unless you are already shooting on Sony .....

..

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Gene just my opinion but these photos are to dark and look gloomy. Most folks walk into a house for sale and say what a bright room.
They like light and want to feel a little more of the dynamic experience.