High Dynamic Range or HDR is a photographic technique used by most real estate photographers in shooting architectural and interior photos. It involves a reproduction of a greater dynamic range of luminosity. That is beyond the results from using a standard photographic technique. It allows you to fuse different exposures by merging multiple photos of the same scene. Those are captured at contrasting shutter speeds, creating a finished product that is comprised of the best light information of each exposure.
In essence, HDR enables you to balance interior spaces with exterior views, which tend to be overexposed in normal photos. Moreover it help you produce clear and vivid photos that are sure to satisfy your real estate agent.
To successfully execute the HDR technique on your real estate photos, you may keep in mind these HDR photo editing tips:
Capture multiple bracketed images.
Before you start merging your photos to create an HDR image, you have multiple photos of a subject at different exposures. It is acceptable to take three shots of a single scene. But, you may find it best to capture five images with contrasting exposures.
To take different bracketed images manually, you have to set up your camera in manual mode. And then, simply adjust the aperture and shutter speed to capture a brighter or darker image. However, the easiest way to do this is by manually adjusting the light “darker”. You can do it easily by using your camera’s exposure compensation buttons (+/- buttons) to underexposure your image by one to three stops (-1 to -3). And then overexposing it by one to three stops (+1 to +3).
Shoot in RAW instead of JPEG.
Since HDR technology aims to fuse the maximum number of data from one exposure, you have to remember to shoot only in RAW. It is one of the top-quality file type for editing photos. This file format gives you flexibility in post-production. Because it allows you to not only edit your photos before taking them into an HDR editor. It also lets you edit your HDR images better without destroying the quality of your photo.
Consider your budget and the software’s quality.
In choosing an HDR merging software, you do not have to be greedy and push yourself to buy the best and expensive software out there. You have to consider your budget since you can find relatively affordable photo editing software such as EasyHDR and Lightroom. However, using these requires putting a watermark on the final results that might spoil your photos. Moreover, if you have a large budget to purchase editing software, you can choose the ones like HDR Darkroom.
Know your audience.
You have chance to give an HDR image various looks, making it either very realistic or very dramatic. So you have to know the audience and the purpose of the photos you will be editing. If the goal of your interior photography is to showcase them on online platforms or in exhibitions, you can use your HDR editor to produce dramatic, striking images. If, on the other hand, you are taking photos for a real estate listing, you should work to bring much realism as possible into your photos.
Get the most out of presets.
Using an HDR editor’s presets give you the required control and flexibility to execute advanced HDR techniques. The most recommended HDR presets is Aurora HDR. You can access and use from within your Lightroom workspace.
