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Make a Statement with Twilight Photos

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with AMH Creatives

 

The leaves will soon be dropping and unfortunately bare trees and brown grass don't always make for a nice front photograph of a listing.  Why not try something that will draw attention like a twilight photograph! It's also a sure way to impress your clients and show them you are actively markeing their home by updating the front photgraph.

 

If you aren't hiring a professional and want to try it on your own, there are a few requirements for success. 

  • The first is the ability to take your camera off "auto" mode.   Some point and shoot cameras have a built in "night" setting which may be enough.
  • A tri-pod is necessary since you will need a much longer exposure time due to the lack of available light.  You'll also want to turn your flash off.
  • Be prepared to spend some time.  Depending on the homes location and direction, you may need to set up about 30 minutes before sunset and be ready to take photos up to 30 minutes after sunset.  Sunset calculators are helpful, I use Sundroid and Sun Surveyor which are free apps.
  • Photoshop is your best friend if you need to make some tweeks such as adjusting color casts or adding a little more drama to the sky.

 

This photo had a exposure of 20 seconds which provides the "soft" look of the fountain and water.  I also added a more colorful sky in Photoshop.

 

This photo was taken about 20 minutes later so the exposure time was adjusted to 25 seconds.  I liked the vibrance of the blue sky so I left it alone.

 

 

 

Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

This is a great idea, and you did an awesome job with your photos. I like the blue sky in photo 2 as well.

Sep 20, 2012 10:06 AM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Anna - Beautiful photos, and great hints on taking them!

Sep 20, 2012 10:17 AM
Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker
Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX
Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!
Great photos. It's really difficult to obtain good results during twilight.
Sep 20, 2012 10:20 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living
Anna, thanks for sharing your tips. Nighttime photos often don't come out right only because we don't know all the little do's and don'ts to make them look good.
Sep 20, 2012 10:41 AM