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Combining Traditional Photos with High Dynamic Range Photos - A First Step

By
Real Estate Agent with SurfTheTurf.com, Inc.

This is a tutorial to show you how I am combining regular images taken with flashes and high dynamic range images taken with no flashes.  I hope you find it as interesting as I did in learning how to do it. 

For those who have looked at my blog recently, you know that I have been testing the waters with high dynamic range photography.  If you don't know about HDR (as it's called), this is where you capture images in RAW mode (with a suitable camera) and typically no flashes used AT ALL.  Then you use software like Photomatix (which is what I use, but Photoshop has some tools too), to combine these multiple images into one file that stores all the data.  (The reason you capture them in RAW format is because the RAW format, unlike JPG, stores the metadata about exposure levels.)  One can then output this very data-intense file into a JPG image that you can then use just like any other JPG image; when you output it, you can create many, many different effects like creating super-saturated images.

OK, so let's start by showing you the final image so you know the level of photo that I am seeking to achieve:

Carlsbad real estate - final image

IN PARTICULAR, I'm trying to bring out the rich, rich colors that you see on the table, the vase, the fire, and the windows.  As you see the traditional photos that I took, they won't have this richness, but, by combining them with HDR images, I am able to achieve a wonderful effect.  Why use artifical flash images at all?  I have not yet perfected how to adjust the levels of the high dynamic range image to create a nice warm feeling in a room.  I know how to do that with flash lighting and adjusting the camera.  When I just use HDR, I find that the walls go grey, and I'm struggling.  By simply starting with a base photo, and then enhancing it, I am able to create the warm, inviting image that I see in my eyes and mind.

OK, so below is the tutorial that shows you how I combined them.  This is just one big JPG file because it was easier to assemble in Photoshop to show you.

And, because I know that someone will ask....The time to create the final image: 45 minutes to set up and shoot all the component images.  1 hour of operating the pc to create all the HDR images. 2 hours to assemble the images and carefully cut out, erase, adjust transparency, etc.  I realize that many might not be willing to spend 3-4 hours on a single image, but I take my time and don't rush it, and, consequently, I know that the result will be what I see in my mind.

Margaret Hokkanen, Carlsbad Real Estate

Carlsbad real estate photos

Show All Comments Sort:
Don Stern
Realty Executives South Louisiana - Baton Rouge, LA
Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate

Well done!

I thought that I detected a bit more training than the local Board of Realtors might provide. :)

Keep up the great work.

Jan 28, 2008 12:29 AM
Margaret Hokkanen
SurfTheTurf.com, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
→ Carlsbad Real Estate

Harley, On your next photo for a shoot like the one you gave, you might give trying to blend the two technologies, stacking an HDR image of the windows on top of the interior shot.  I think you'll like the results, and it won't take but an extra half hour or so to post-process the HDR shots.

Jan 28, 2008 03:29 AM
Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
AHWD
Margaret - wonderful tutorial on how to assemble photos - you really know your stuff!
Jan 28, 2008 06:13 AM
Harley Lever
Harleys Eye Photography - Seattle, WA

Thanks Margaret and thanks Don,

 Don, I am self taught but have learned from literally thousands of mistakes.  Each year I get better, but I can't help think that my learning curve would have been so much shorter if I had taken classes.

Margaret, I will give it a shot.  

Have you had any experience with sending these images to a magazine?  The reason that I ask is that magazines tend to have extremely high standards... sometimes to a fault.  From my research I have discovered that one of the trade-offs for a pure HDR photograph is that they tend to be lower in resolution and in some cases appear to be almost fuzzy.  This would disqualify them from many magazines.  How do hybrids hold up?

 Thanks,

Harley 

Jan 28, 2008 08:48 AM
Margaret Hokkanen
SurfTheTurf.com, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
→ Carlsbad Real Estate

Harley,  You have confirmed what I learned as well.  I was assuming that the fuzziness was due to camera movement and mis-alignment of the images by the processing software.  I found that the more images that I submitted to the image processing software, the fuzzier it got.  In the above images, I used only 2 RAW images for the exterior shots to create the HDR image, but they were spaced pretty far apart fstop-wise.  Plus, I used the gaussian smart sharpen tool in photoshop to sharpen things up a bit.  I am REALLY picky with the sharpness thing.  In a few years, this will all be resolved with the new HDR chips that cameras will have that can capture the HDR image with a single frame capture.  So, we're only in an interim period on this.  By using the HDR images as a means for providing gradients and saturation on top of existing super-sharp images, the initial print-job looks pretty good.  If anyone emails me their postal mailing address, I'll send you a copy of the brochure that gets printed at the magazine printer.

Jan 28, 2008 08:56 AM
Ron Fuhrer
Nazareth,Easton, Bethlehem - Prudential Patt, White - Nazareth, PA
Lehigh Valley PA Homes
Wow.. thanks for the info. I am trying to understand how it all works and your blog inspires me!
Jan 31, 2008 07:25 AM
Ted Baker
Carmody and Associates LLC - Winter Haven, FL
MidFloridaMediation.com

Interesting stuff, Margaret

I had considered asking for some intermediate steps on your last HDR post, but I didn't want to presume on your time.  It sometimes take longer to explain your steps than to do them.  

So thank you for the excellent extension of the ideas.  As I keep saying, I may learn something here, If I am not careful. 

Jan 31, 2008 12:42 PM
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Keller Williams Realty - Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Area Real Estate

Margaret,

This might be my favorite place to "spend time" on AR.  The other places I go I do so to learn, but this seems like fun.  Maybe I should explore more.  Thank you for what you have done so far. 

Your photos are really really wonderful!!  Sharing here is just beyond fantastic.  We are lucky you are here!!

Feb 04, 2008 07:56 AM
Ryan Martin
Pacific Continental Realty, LLC - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Commercial RE Broker
Margaret - This is a great explanation of a very difficult and often confusing subject. Your photography really makes me want to buy that tilt/flip lens.  
Feb 06, 2008 01:39 PM
Margaret Hokkanen
SurfTheTurf.com, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
→ Carlsbad Real Estate

Ryan,  If you have a Canon back, you should rent one for a day when you have a new listing to shoot.  Spend the whole day taking pictures with it.  It will only cost you $30 or so to rent it, and it will really give you a feel for what it is all about.  I'm getting the knack of how to use it for HDR - which is a bit trickier than a single-shot lens, but it's not impossible, and the 20megapixel images are great.

Margaret H.

Feb 06, 2008 02:19 PM
Ryan Martin
Pacific Continental Realty, LLC - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Commercial RE Broker

Margaret - I don't currently own a Cannon back, but I know a photographer that will let me borrow his for the day. I might have to check it out. 

Feb 06, 2008 03:55 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, my goodness, your photos ARE incredible!  I linked to you from Katerina's post this morning and cannot believe your work!  I may have to go get myself a REAL camera!


Feb 06, 2008 11:14 PM
Krista Fuchs
Prudential Fox & Roach - Exton, PA
Chester County Realtor - (484) 459-8025 - Home Buying and Selling
Wow, your pictures are amazing!  You've definitely inspired me to learn more!
Feb 08, 2008 02:42 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT
Margaret, I'm so hooked now!  I am going to have to rob a bank to buy the equipment.  I already spend hours in Photoshop Elements and (don't laugh) Paint, cutting and pasting from different exposures to try to attain the look that you have achieved.  Of course, they fall far short, but I totally get it!  I didn't know there was a name for this technique or software or a camera lens that could swivel to take three shots that you could stitch together.  Please continue to post on this. 
Feb 19, 2008 04:41 PM
Edward W. Lui
Mars Hill Realty Group - Georgetown, TX
Georgetown Texas Real Estate
Wow, that's awesome.  I'm inspired to learn more.  I have photoshop and only know about 1% of it's features.  I wish I could take some sort of class.  Let me know when you're in the Austin area and giving a class on this!
Feb 20, 2008 02:01 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT
I took the plunge and downloaded the free trial Beta version of Photomatix.  My Kodak V570 won't allow me to use a shutter release cable nor does it have exposure bracketing, but I've figured out how to work around these issues with the self-timer and changing the exposure manually.  I'll let you know how it turns out.
Feb 20, 2008 04:58 PM
Michael (Mike) Elliott
Nottingham Real Estate Group - Hamilton, NJ
I think I need to take a class on this subject...I am a slow learner with tech stuff. Great post.
Feb 21, 2008 02:50 AM
Heather Rankin
Rankin Realty at Lake Powell, LLC - Page, AZ
Lake Powell Real Estate

Wow - Awesome photos. I am going to have to try both the ways Margaret and Harley have done this. (Harley - this photo is about 15 minutes from the Slot Canyon you have a photo of on your website)

Today I took this out behind my house, used a Canon XT - 3 exposures and stacked in Photomatrix. This was a first attempt but can see the possibilities.

Any ideas on a Photoshop problem I am having would be most appreciated. When a photo is open in Photoshop it is much lighter than when it is closed and viewed in any other program or on the web. I am thinking it may be something to do with Color Management but don't know where to start trying to fix it. This photo is an excellent example of the problem - looks great in Photoshop and dark everywhere else.

Thank you so much for sharing.

The Moon

Feb 21, 2008 05:07 PM
Eva Meier
Coldwell Banker - Del Mar, CA
Ph.D., ABR

Hi Margaret - Just joined activerain, just started getting involved in social networking, and am already overwhelmed!  How do you find the time for all this AND real estate??

Aug 30, 2008 11:14 AM
Margaret Hokkanen
SurfTheTurf.com, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
→ Carlsbad Real Estate

Heather,

If you are editing JPGs, then you are probably in RGB mode.  If you print these, the colors will shift (particularly greens), and you are better to do layouts for print in CMYK and Photoshop will properly convert them so it looks correct.  I'm assuming that the differences you're commenting are on can be seen on your machine.  If it were a difference between your machine and other machines, I would recommend calibrating your monitor.  I hope that helps. 

Margaret

Aug 31, 2008 07:56 AM