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Photography in HDR

By
Industry Observer with Retired

While HDR (High Dynamic Range ) is not really suitable for marketing most real estate, it can add definition and an attractive effect to photos giving them a slightly surreal feeling. I use Photomatrix for Aperture and the software processing gives me a greater range of luminosity that prevents blown out highlights and flat shadows. I can choose the style I want from natural to surreal. There are processors that adjust an image or in most SLR cameras, when taking photos in RAW, it takes 3 images and combines them to show greater depth and luminosity. The camera will take the image underexposed, overexposed ( lighting the darkest elements) and one exposure between these two extremes. If you were taking a photo and wanted to create an image that looked real but with much more effect, try using HDR to re-process the image. It makes the image a bit more memorable.

The photo below is my garden patio using the HDR effect to make for a more lasting and creative image.

Garden Patio

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Comments (43)

Lisa Friedman
Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT
35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

William, I absoloutely love your 'Cowboys at Christmas' photo - it is fabulous!

I have been experimenting with HDR for scenic photos with backlighting. My problem is that it makes grass look fuorescent in a lot of my photos. I have not figured out how to overcome that yet.

Love using it for sunsets!

Jun 22, 2014 10:58 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I remember when TV's came out with color...Once you saw the difference, Black and white TV was out the door forever more...HD is the way to go as long as it is not doctored

Jun 22, 2014 11:37 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

So so many MLS shots are hit and run, not framed, lighted or something is amiss. The haze of milk over them shows no one took them, ran them through photoshop to tweak, enhance so so photography. Garbage in, garbage out happens. Video is the imagery they want..30 to 50 frames per second and sound to reinforce and add to the show and tell.

Jun 22, 2014 11:50 PM
Allen Lomax
Steed Talker Realty is with two hours of Tryon International Equestrian Center and we offer the best properties in th... - Sylva, NC
WNC Mountain Homes & Horse Farms Specialists

The street photo with the HDR is Norman Rockwellian. 

Jun 23, 2014 12:26 AM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

It seems to give it more depth. I use the 'boost' feature in Picasa for my exterior photos. SHows up well in MLS, but I seldom use it for interior pictures.

Jun 23, 2014 12:28 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

William,

I do like HDR photography, however, I think that it's overused in many real estate applications. When a room looks surreal, you know it's been overprocessed.

Rich

Jun 23, 2014 12:47 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

It is very tricky William to the extent a photographer can use HDR without turning a photo into a painting. Great discussion on this area.

Jun 23, 2014 01:07 AM
Jimmy Chickey
Keller Williams Realty Southwest - Las Vegas, NV
Realtor, Nationally Recognized Author, Teacher

Fascinating.  I will definately check this out.  :)

Jun 23, 2014 02:55 AM
Marc McMaster
RE/MAX Centre Realty - State College, PA
Putting my clients before myself

I love HDR photos.  It gives them all a really interesting quality that you can't find anywhere else. 

Jun 23, 2014 02:55 AM
Kate McQueen
Realty Associates Texas - Cypress, TX
Tailored service for your real estate needs!

Great post!  And I must say your garden is beautiful.   Researching new cameras right now so had to post my comment to be sure to make it back to this post!

Jun 23, 2014 03:47 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I use a professional photographer. Although, I take my own photography for my website and blog posts, I'm not much when it comes to editing those photos.

Jun 23, 2014 05:01 AM
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

Would be curious to see the same photo without the HDR effect. It is a great photo. Thanks for sharing.

Jun 23, 2014 05:07 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Your example shows how not to over do it. I see so many "photoshopped" real estate photos on the MLS these days, it's become annoying because the photos don't depict accurately what the home really looks like. 

Jun 23, 2014 05:34 AM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

HDR is really neat if done right, sometimes it makes the home look too good to be true.

Jun 23, 2014 07:34 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

William loved your photo of your patio, clearly not only are you a great photographer but one who has a green thumb too:)))Endre

Jun 23, 2014 10:31 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

The biggest problem I see is photos where the color has been manipulated in such a way that the colors just aren't natural.  You can go to far with RE photography if you aren't careful.

Jun 23, 2014 12:04 PM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

I agree that there is more depth, what seems like a 3-D effect with the picture.  Within the right context these types of pictures can add a lot to the marketing process of showing off a property.

Jun 24, 2014 12:24 AM
Richard Arnold
Keller Williams Realty East Valley - Tempe, AZ
Realtor - Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix

I use the HDR filter in Photoshop and just tweak to my preference.  Not quite what I want, still it comes close without having to go through Lightbox or other processing software.  I will do true HDR eventually to understand it better - when I commit to the time to read & experiment.

 

Jul 01, 2014 08:33 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I am still a point and shoot with a simple camera. But I do recognize that that patio garden is a lot of work

Jul 10, 2014 12:55 PM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

William, Great shot and the colors really stand out but aren't blown out like in many HDR images agents use.

Aug 17, 2014 01:01 AM