Wayne Fitts, Associate Broker

RE/MAX First Choice

www.waynefitts.com

205-470-0480

HDR Photography for Real Estate; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

HDR (High Dynamic Range) digital photography is a process where a photographer uses a digital camera to capture the same scene using 3 or more exposures that properly expose the brightest part of the scene with the darkest. These multiple images are then processed using popular HDR software programs like Photomatix, Luminance HDR, or Fusion. The photography itself is referred to as “bracketing”. For the overall scene, one exposure is two stops underexposed, one is properly exposed, and one is two stops overexposed. Once processed together into one composite image it is the typical application of HDR. There are several algorithms used by the software based processing packages with a version of two being the most utilized – tone mapping and exposure fusion. The idea behind HDR is that in the typical photograph the exposure is ‘measured’ using an average of the available light to determine correct exposure. The problem with a typical single exposure is that the light areas (i.e. windows or light walls) will be ‘blown out’ and darker areas may lose texture and detail because the entire scene was exposed with the ‘average’ amount of light from the entire scene. With HDR you are essentially taking a proper exposure from three different light readings and combining them so that the exposures are correct for the lighter through the darker areas in the scene. I read a lot about real estate photography because I believe it is essential in today’s real estate world. So much shopping and decision making is derived from what one sees on-line. And face it, much of the impression formed by the buyer on-line correlates to the quality of the photography and its ability to trigger a positive response. One real estate photographer I follow some is Jim Barnes of RE/MAX’s Connie Barnes real estate organization in California. Jim does fantastic work as the team’s photographer and I have used some of his image library to illustrate different types of photography. The images below (except as noted) are from Jim’s explanation of HDR photography. A bracketed sequence

Wayne Fitts, Associate Broker

RE/MAX First Choice

www.waynefitts.com

Another bracketed sequence example is from Mike Kelley, a high end photographer and blogger on the subject of real estate photography.

A bracketed 3 shot sequence (Mike Kelley)

I have to agree and yet, disagree with a comment Jim Barnes makes on his web-site referring in broad terms to HDR photography; “When done properly, the results can be interesting but often fall apart under close examination”.

In one sense I agree. If one takes a bracketed exposure and loads three images up into their computer and gives the trusty command to do an automatic tone mapping to an HDR image, you may get an interesting result that will fall apart under close examination by a professional photographer. In most processing programs tone mapping loves to oversaturate warm colors, so if left to the program’s own devices (depending on the subject scene) the resulting un-edited image can be less than desirable. Manually manipulating the tone mapping, however, can greatly enhance the resulting image and most cases the results are far superior to those images created by the typical real estate photography – especially the phone or compact cameras. If there was only one tone mapping algorithm for creating HDR photo’s I might be more in agreement with Jim’s blanket statement. But differing programs with differing tone mapping algorithms & controls can alleviate some of the limitations of the tone mapping process. True -exaggerated HDR can make your home look dark and spooky instead of warm and inviting and exaggerated tone mapping would definitely not be my first choice.

If not controlled properly tone mapping HDR can result in synthetic color and

exaggerated textures. Because you may be shooting without proper external lighting, the

camera must rely on the existing ambient light in the room which is often a mix of the

color spectrum given off by a combination of fluorescent (cold), incandescent (warm) and

outdoor lighting (natural neutral). This may result in an interesting image however in real

estate we want our home-buyers to see the real color and texture of the home's interior.

However, there are many situations in which HDR can be applied and used to great effect, and used with the Exposure Fusion engine can produce fantastic photos for real estate marketing. This is where I think I would disagree with Mr. Barnes statement as being a little over generalized and little more applicable to tone mapping.

Wayne Fitts, Associate Broker

RE/MAX First Choice

www.waynefitts.com

My technique consists of the best of both worlds and I will use whichever technique is most appropriate for the scene. My goal is to showcase your home in the best possible light.

I am not married to any one technique. My least favorite technique is an iPhone camera, followed closely by a compact camera.

Multiple exposures combined with professional lighting is definitely the best technique

for interior real estate photography.

Professional photographic lighting is the only way possible to capture the most accurate

color for the interior of your home and when combined with the proper ambient lighting

the results are very natural to the eye and can show off the features of your home unlike

any other photography method.

Our interior scenes are shot with multiple off camera strobes that immerse the room in

studio quality light. Setting up lights for each scene can add quite a bit of time to the photo

session but the results, I believe, speak for themselves.

Why don't other real estate photographers use this method?

They do! Homebuilders, commercial real estate brokers, luxury home and estate brokers

fly in high end architectural photographers who will spend many hours, even days

shooting a single project.

For mainstream real estate listings, the average real estate photographer isn't going to

invest the money in the equipment or the time it would take to replicate this process.

The main reason is: Most Realtors are happy with "Good Enough".

We are not happy with “Good Enough” and demand Mach 2 Performance in every aspect of our business!

Wayne Fitts, Associate Broker

RE/MAX First Choice

www.waynefitts.com

Here are some comparisons between typical automated tone mapped HDR processed images and results obtained when using professional off-camera flash.

Tone Mapping HDR makes the shot on the left dark and spooky. The image on the right shows what can be done with exterior lighting techniques

Note the difference in the color and detail of the walls, carpet and furniture. Professional lighting helps tame the outdoor light in the scene on the right.

Professional lighting on the right brings out the true color of the granite, the tile, and the cabinets of this beautiful kitchen.

Wayne Fitts, Associate Broker

RE/MAX First Choice

www.waynefitts.com

The image on the left is really not a very good HDR. Note how blown out the windows are on the left. The photo may be

interesting but not at all accurate. Note the differences in the multiple off camera flash to the right.

The HDR image on the left reveals a common problem with exaggerated warm tones and exaggerated textures on the kitchen

cabinets.

Only professional lighting can knock down nasty outdoor reflections when you want showcase your beautiful wide plank wood

flooring!

Wayne Fitts, Associate Broker

RE/MAX First Choice

www.waynefitts.com

The HDR image on the left is destroyed by reflections and the overly cold colors to the left of the island and overly warm tones to

the right of the island. Note also the color differences in the granite and the cabinetry of the center island.

Again, the tone mapped HDR on the left exaggerates the warm tones making the floor tile appear to have a greenish color tint.

The off camera multiple flash image to the right more accurately accentuates the granite and cabinetry.

The exaggerated colors on the image to the left does not make proper use of a mix of ambient light and off camera flash. The

image on the right combines the natural light of the lamps along with multiple strobes.

Wayne Fitts, Associate Broker

RE/MAX First Choice

www.waynefitts.com

The HDR photo makes the kitchen look gloomy and dark. The off camera multiple strobe depicts the more accurate beauty and

richness of this room.

This kitchen had compact fluorescent light bulbs that are cold in the color spectrum making the appearance of the room an

unnatural green. Proper lighting results in a more natural and true image, as depicted on the right.

Another poor ton mapped HDR image on the left which exaggerates the faux paint and the texture on the tile floors.

Wayne Fitts, Associate Broker

RE/MAX First Choice

www.waynefitts.com

While the image on the left is dramatic and interesting it starts a conflict in the mind’s eye, especially in the main arch to the center

of the image. The multiple off camera strobes to the right keep the drama while maintaining the openness of the room design.

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