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MLS Photo Collages & other Photoshop adjustments

So this house started with a great image taken by the homeowner. I pulled it into photoshop and added the following:

1) Saturation & Lightened it up

2) Sharpen setting

3) Inserted 3 photos with white drop shadow (see 5 examples)

By default most websites duplicating the MLS (Realtor.com) will only show 1 photo by default. By putting up a collage, the home buyer can see within a second that it is spacious inside and they have a pool in the backyard. Sometimes I also put in the remarks "Ask your agent for the 30 additional photos."

As a buyer, which would you prefer?

Also you can do some of these features in Google's Free Picasa. The collage option however is limited to putting 4 photos that are of the same size in a tile format. Still better than nothing.

- Written by Frank Borges LL0SA- FranklyRealty.com

Collages are just one of the dozen things that we do standard. That is why our slogan is "Excellence Comes Standard" (tm)

Due to popular request, here are more examples:

The one above used text to highlight the key differences vs the other 40 condos in the same building!

Make sure not to miss my other 10-20 Realtor tips

Update: Cheryl was so kind as to create a "how to" on collages!

Photoshop Elements 5: Creating A Llosa Collage -

Posted by FRANK LL0SA- Northern Virginia Broker .:. FranklyRealty.com on 05/08/2007 07:41 AM

Comments (41)

20 realtor only tips, 100 tech group, photography

41 Comments on MLS Photo Collages & other Photoshop adjustments

MAY

2007

Hey Frank, That's a very good idea. It's eye appealing and a great way to skirt around the one picture limitation. I think I will start doing it. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent idea!!! I can not believe I didn't think of it before - thank you for sharing.

Thats why I get the big bucks!

Frank

Good short suggestion!

Frank...

How long did that take you to do? I bet you not much time at all.

Realtors either need to learn how to "fix" their pictures... or have a professional shoot them. Because pictures REALLY are what give a buyer their "First Impression".

Frank: I did not know Google had bought Picasa. Maybe I'll try it again. Thanks!

Hey Craig,

I had to chose between 30 photos, so that took some time. The photos weren't great. It was missing a kitchen shot that really showed a) granite and b) high-end stainless steel appliances. All in all it took maybe 20 minutes, but I have done some in as little as 5 minutes.

I normally spend a good 30-60 minutes color correcting all the photos. I first do it in Picasa and I can get 90% of them that way. I bring into photoshop the main image and a few others that might need tweaking. Also for the image above, I digitally removed an oversized love chair.

Frank

Sometimes I put text in too, go back to blog! I have since posted MORE examples in the main blog since this has received such a good reaction.

Thanks. I have this bookmarked.

WOW - Frank. What a great idea and it looks like an easy program to work with. It really makes quite a statement. Thanks for sharing!

Frank, looks great what size do you use for the MLS 360 X 240 with a 72 or 96 DPI?

Great job, Frank! I use Picasa2 as well, and absolutely love it.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the tip Frank. I'm going to check out picasa2 today. I've not heard of it before.

Hey Mitchell,

I don't remember the exact dimensions. Our MLS has an odd default size. If you upload all the images untouched, it will leave a white bar on the sides. So I have to crop a bit from the top and bottom (thus making it wider) in order to use up the full frame.

As for size, either of those resolutions is fine since they tend to make them pretty small.

Frank

Awesome visual prsentation!! Thanks for sharing - back to photoshop class I go!! :)

Excellent! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us.

Wow, what a wonderful idea!! Thank you for sharing, I'm going to play with my photoshop this week!

This is a great idea! I do edit any pics needed for lighting, etc., but I hadn't thought about making a collage for the main pic. Thanks for the post!

Well done Frank! I use PhotoShop as well, but you have given me some neat new ideas. Thanks!

...Jay

Great idea, I've seen the collage a couple of times on MLS, but never done as nicely as you've done here.

I have photoshop elements but can't for the life of me figure out how to use it.

I'll have to figure it out now that I've bought the Kodak v705!

I really like the idea of inserting additional photos to minimize an otherwise boring front yard (or even worse, the street). Thanks for the ideas!

Frank thank you for the information what a great idea to add additional pictures to the main photo .

Hi Frank - Love this post, and I have bookmarked it! I use Picassa already, but did not know anything about doing the collages. I'll have to check that out as I love that effect.

Many thanks for sharing this post - excellent tips!
Ann

Frank...

I snagged Picasa a month or so ago. Feel in love with it. My photos have never looked better :)

TLW...ROAR!

Wow that is an improvement. I am interested in photoshop but the learning curve is massive. I just have to get to amazon and get Photoshop for Dummies. But yeah definitely the "afters" are great!

Good job. I like it when we can find creative ways to legally get around the liitations (not the intent) of technology. I also like your use of the software to make the picture more appealing.

Beautiful pictures. Those building look so big! Great post.

Frank, thanks for the pointers. You've done a great job of proving how the small things can make a huge difference.

MAY

2007

Frank -- You should probably add this to the Photoshop Elements for Real Estate group, too. (I hope I didn't step on Mike's toes by saying that) :-)

Todd & Danielle -- Check out the Photoshop Elements for Real Estate Group .... you might not need to buy the book ......

Frank, nice job on the photos. I'm curious about the location of the palm tree in Arlington.................................

Gosh, you are good !!

MAY

2007

It's amazing the clarity of the pictures, after you sharpened the image! I love the collage idea!!

I don't think I ever put up a photo that didn't get a photoshop treatment, I don't sharpen much but lightening and blending, resizing, and occasionally titling. Your example was great, we all know what green grass looks like so why not take advantage of the space.

MAY

2007

Couldn't you paint the yellowed palm fronds green?

Just Kidding... Good job!

AUG

2007

Impressive details...I need to run out and get photoshop today!!

DEC

Excellent compositions, Frank! I especially like that useless features (lawn, a neighboring property) can be covered with collage elements.

AUG

Hi Frank - Creating collages...wow! This is one of the most creative tips I have come across so far. Thanks for sharing.

AUG

Better late than never! 'Just found this, Frank, and I'm gonna have to try this. Thanks for the idea.

OCT

Good Idea...I now consider it my own...thanks for this...having a good time on your blog. I definately like your style.

NOV

I love the pictures that look like they were shot thru vaseline, and the camera lens wrapped with selling maine real estate seventeen layers of suran wrap to make those fuzzy, glowing, pulsating images that might be better to not post.

Have done the opening site shots of more than one for a long time to get them to come in and scope out the rest. Found often night video if place has proper lighting works nice as windows don't boost or shut down exposure settings. List at sunset, shoot video in dark inside, edit and upload the next day.

Hey Andrew,

I love the Collage, but locally they would not allow the logo in the center.

The lower left shot should be brighter, and the dining room shot at night is not ideal, but probably the best you could do right?

Frank

NOV

You have more than one version. Branded...unbranded. The realtor.com enhanced site you make maine hom,collage presentation sure the one with the logo is carefully parked somewhere. So as the revolver loads, displays on the top, it becomes apparent, this guy has lots of listings, that this one stands out. The local idx/mls would have a naked unbranded version where instead of brand logo a Maine, the way life should be blue license plate is hiding or replacing the broker logo.

I put the collage from the latest clean out the home, shoot around what is there in earlier comment. It was the concept of multiple images that I was trying to convey, not putting up the best prized blue ribbon fair pig creative example from the 170 listings I carry.

These are good with the 512x400 Maine idx opening shot..we use the unbranded version in that insertion.

oakfield me home

maine lake home

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