A technique I have been using for the past year or so for real estate photography is HDR or High Dynamic Range Photography. High Dynamic Range Photography is complicated so I won’t go onto great detail. Basically the human eye can see about thirty stops (units of light). This is where you can see details in the shadows and details in the highlights.
A digital image can only capture about a 3rd of the range, the difference between highlights and shadows. High Dynamic Range Photography allows us to compress the scene and duplicate more of what the human eye can see.
Single Shot Photography
As you can see from the single shot photo above the highlights in the window and lamp are blowing out and we start to lose detail. The shadows on the desk and bookcase start to go to dark and the shadows become muddy. If the camera is perfectly level then doors and other verticals can look crooked.
High Dynamic Range Photography that is Retouched
This technique allows me to control the detail in the shadows and highlights. The window was left a little bright because the scene wasn’t the most pleasant but all of the detail is there. The shadows are brought up a little and are crisp and have plenty of contrast. Finally, in Adobe Photoshop, I straighten the verticals adjust contrast, color and sharpness to create an eye catching end result.
Another High Dynamic Range Comparison
Here is another comparison of a single shot and a High Dynamic Range photograph. The HDR photograph has a much better balance between highlights and shadows creating a more compelling photograph that is more in line with what the naked eye sees.
In both sample if you close your eyes and look at the two samples side by side, notice how your eye is always drawn to the HDR photograph first. A little trick I learned in photography school is your eye is drawn to photographs with more contrast. Your brain literally draws you to the HDR photograph.
Your online image is so important when marketing your home to potential home buyers. If you see the value in good real estate photography make sure you hire a real estate agent that either hires a professional photographer or delivers their own quality photographs. Quality images of your home will increase your showing which leads to higher offers!
Here is one of my most recent listings in Tewksbury MA located at 33 Tomahawk Drive. All of the interior photos used a hybrid technique of HDR photography combined with flash. As a seller, is not important to fully understand the techniques, but it is important to see the quality of the results. I do not take a few minutes with a point and shoot camera. I takes several hours of photography and post processing to get the best photography of your home that I can.
[nggallery id=24]
_________________________________________________________________________
This post, High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography for Real Estate, was written by Kevin Vitali of EXIT Group One Real Estate. Kevin provides the highest level of online marketing for home sellers, starting with quality photography. If you would like to see what Kevin can do to sell your home, call 978-360-0422 and ask for Kevin.
