Hey All...I am A beginner Real Estate Photographer...I took this photo today and as you can see the sun is in the wrong spot to get a decent photo..Unfortunately I can't always be at the job at the exact moment the sun is in the perfect spot.. I edited the image in photoshop but it looked too contrasty and just basically no good...So my question is to any other real estate/architecture photographers out there is what do they do when the sun is in the wrong spot??
Help needed
- Thread starter Spinny78
- Start date
Hey All...I am A beginner Real Estate Photographer...I took this photo today and as you can see the sun is in the wrong spot to get a decent photo..Unfortunately I can't always be at the job at the exact moment the sun is in the perfect spot.. I edited the image in photoshop but it looked too contrasty and just basically no good...So my question is to any other real estate/architecture photographers out there is what do they do when the sun is in the wrong spot??
It all depends on what you will use the photographs for, and how much (if at all) you will get paid.
Ideally you should shoot RAW. The rest :
. Visit the site once to get an idea of the location.
. Wait till the light is perfect.
. Vary the aperture so that you get different DOF.
. Shoot from different angles.
. Use the surroundings (if possible) to make your images more interesting.
. Then go home and process the images in post.
If you are not getting paid, or paid a pittance, then just take a series of images at different focal lengths and/or distances. Process them in post and use the best ones you like.
The emphasis will also depend on whether the images are for editorial matter of for real estate sale.
Ideally you should shoot RAW. The rest :
. Visit the site once to get an idea of the location.
. Wait till the light is perfect.
. Vary the aperture so that you get different DOF.
. Shoot from different angles.
. Use the surroundings (if possible) to make your images more interesting.
. Then go home and process the images in post.
If you are not getting paid, or paid a pittance, then just take a series of images at different focal lengths and/or distances. Process them in post and use the best ones you like.
The emphasis will also depend on whether the images are for editorial matter of for real estate sale.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
Had the shot been taken in RAW you could punch that up nicely with a Levels, or Curves, adjustment layer. You wouldn't be able to totally disguise the fact the sun was on the other side of the house (or if that can be done it's waaay outside my skill-level with Photoshop) but you could do a whole lot better than just pumping up the Contrast slider.
Other than that, you have to cooperate with the sun. That's just how it is.
Because-I'm-Bored-at-Work Bonus Edit: Here's a quick and dirty job I did on your original. It's a small JPG, so there's only so much I can do:
Yes, there are serious issues with banding and posterization in the sky but hopefully you get the idea. I brought down the exposure on the sky (which was blowing out) on its own layer then used a Curves layer globally. The shot also badly needed sharpening but JPG's don't sharpen well (grrr) so I had to use a really light touch. I think I adjusted the White Balance a little bit as well and that's about it. With a RAW file you could do sooooo much better.
....
Other than that, you have to cooperate with the sun. That's just how it is.
Because-I'm-Bored-at-Work Bonus Edit: Here's a quick and dirty job I did on your original. It's a small JPG, so there's only so much I can do:
Yes, there are serious issues with banding and posterization in the sky but hopefully you get the idea. I brought down the exposure on the sky (which was blowing out) on its own layer then used a Curves layer globally. The shot also badly needed sharpening but JPG's don't sharpen well (grrr) so I had to use a really light touch. I think I adjusted the White Balance a little bit as well and that's about it. With a RAW file you could do sooooo much better.
....
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I don't know your schedule, perhaps this is too simple-minded?
But street addresses could be planned in advance this way:
East-West Street.
North side address, no big problem.
South side address, maybe earlier or later in the day, which is normally also valid in every case.
North-South Street
East side address in afternoon
West side address in morning
If time of day is no choice other options could be:
1. Shoot raw and do as HF suggested
2. Use graduated ND filters to cool the sky down.
3. Use PS to cut the exposure ranges into layers, fix the layers separately.
4. Shoot multiple exposures and merge the best in each into one image.
5. Use multiple flash units to put the sun where you want it.
1. Shoot raw and do as HF suggested
2. Use graduated ND filters to cool the sky down.
3. Use PS to cut the exposure ranges into layers, fix the layers separately.
4. Shoot multiple exposures and merge the best in each into one image.
5. Use multiple flash units to put the sun where you want it.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
What about Option 6: Reverse the Earths Rotation?Like option 5 the best . Thats going to be one big array of flashes
That could work...
....
Like option 5 the best . Thats going to be one big array of flashes
WWJD? (What Would Joe McNally Do?)
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I'm just trying to keep to practical suggestions is all...
Joe McNally would simply command the sun to do his bidding (with a harsh look and a wave of his tripod (for a little flourish)) and the "Golden Hour" would last until lunch.
....
Browncoat
Senior Member
Only Ken Rockwell can do that. Joe McNally wears Ken Rockwell pajamas.
I wonder if Ken realizes just how little credibility he really has.
Spinny78, if scheduling is a problem then I think HF's suggestion would be your best bet. Getting better results with Post is pretty simple once you dive into it.
I do believe this is a nice way of saying, put the flashes where the sun don't shine.
I do believe this is a nice way of saying, put the flashes where the sun don't shine.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
*gets a visual*
*throws up in mouth a little*
I... I so *hate you right now.
*Expressions of hatred are for literary effect only and are not to be taken seriously, internally, metaphorically or empirically. Consult with a physician before beginning a hatred regime. Hatred void where prohibited.
