post processing of interior real estate shots

I primarily shoot real estate work. I use a Canon Xti with a 10-22mm USM lens, and a 580EX flash. I shoot property in Breckenridge, CO, so the sun is very intense and the diff b/w inside/outside lighting is often drastic. I can shoot in the eve or on overcast days to minmize the inherent challenges of the lighting differences. But of course I want to show the beautiful sunny/blue views through the windows as much as possible. If I am shooting with a window view in frame, I usu shoot in the range of f6.3-8, 1/125-1/200, FEC +2/3, ISO 200-400, Cloudy WB (to add some warmth). Flash is sometimes direct (with diffuser panel down to help wide angle coverage), but often bounced when the ceiling shape and wall colors allow. I open all blinds to allow in more light, and to show the views. I also turn on every interior light to help out. Typically, with the above settings, I can get the outside just slightly overexposed, and the inside just slightly underexposed. If the outside is exposed properly, then the inside is too dark, and Photoshop helps me to brighten the inside. I have had very little success in properly exposing both inside and outside with only one exposure. I would rather not get into multiple exposures, as my time is very limited. I do have another 420EX that I could trigger remotely, but I have little experience with that.

I have been shooting in JPEG. I know you experts scoff at this, and perhaps I should indeed shoot in RAW or JPEG+RAW, and have much better control. I use CS3, so I would have the option to use Camera Raw and all that stuff.

Since I shoot interiors about 10hrs/week (3-4hrs for freelance, about 6hrs for my prop mgmt company website), in the past, I have had extreme time poverty and preferred as little post processing as possible. Lately, I have come to realize that I am compromising my final images if I don't spend more time and learn more about post processing.

I have gotten in the habit of doing the following quick steps for interior shots:
- levels; moving the white slider just inside the mtn range
- brightening; select color range, highlights. inverse selection, then feather (20-50 depending). then apply levels again per above
- shadows; image adjust shadows (5-10 usu). to lighten up the darker parts of the image without overexposing the highlights.
- color balance; reducing reds, increasing blues often due to interior lights.
- curves; usu add a touch of contrast
- edit, transform, distort; to correct and converging verticals

I know I am asking a lot, and this is posted on the post processing page, but any advice on post processing steps?

thank you!

Your equipment is outside my experience, so another poster will be able to help with that.

But when I shoot real estate, Real Estate Agents love the super-wide angle shots that are impossible to get even with a wide-angle lense. My trick is the free program called Autostitch which has been mentioned in past threads that I've stumbled across. Sssshhh....don't tell my clients.... The program has given me a slight edge over other RE photographers in the area...

thanks Chris. My 1.6 FOV on the Xti equates to many of my shots being at a 35mm equiv of 16-77mm. That is actually plenty wide, and it seems that most of my pics are stil wide enough, wider than my competition in many cases.
I would indeed like to play with Autostitch or something similar in the future to make some panoramics, but for my big workload, I simply don't have the time to do that. Similarly, I don't have the time to take 2-3 diff exposures to get inside and outside both looking proper.

i meant 16-17mm...

Learn to shoot RAW images. You can take one RAW image and process the image twice. Process one to get exposure correct for inside, then process again to get exposure correct for outside. Once you get used to this method you can probably process one complete image in 10 minutes or less.

If you doubt how well this works, shoot one image and I will process it for you to show how good the final image can be using one RAW file.

jj

thanks jjcyr. I will do this for a shoot today. Since I today need to shoot a house for immediate MLS listing, I will prob shoot JPEG+RAW.

How can I easily post a RAW image here so you can help me manipulate it?

Go to www.yousendit.com
There, you will be able to email up to 100mb completely free. Once you upload the file to the website, they'll send both you and the intended recepient with a link to the file for a direct download. (They also have a nifty plugin for Photoshop)

I think RAW images are outside the filesize requirements on this forum. Alternatively, you could post the link that yousendit.com sends you and forum members can have a shot with the unprocessed image...That is if it doesn't violate any terms of use with yousendit.com

Yes, www.yousendit.com works great for sending large files. You can send it to me at jjcyr@srpnet.com

Shoot the image as you normally would to get the best exposure. If the outside is completely blown out I cannot get the information back. So, shoot so the outside is slightly overexposed and the inside might be slightly underexposed.

Send me the image when it is convenient and I'll process it and send you back a high res JPG through yousendit.com.

thanks,
jjcyr

jjcyr, I'd be interested in seeing the outcome if you are allowed to post it here (jcospolich?)

Ed

As long as it is okay with jcospolich I will post the small versions here once I complete the processing.

jj

ok jjcyr. I will snap some this week and try yousendit

if u shoot the pictures using a tripod, then expose one for inside and one for outside. and just use layer mask in PS. it will take u probably a few minutes to just paint in the windows.
Im talking really fast once u are used to it. Dont just think "its too hard". its very very simple to do!

howzitboy wrote in post #3441095
if u shoot the pictures using a tripod, then expose one for inside and one for outside. and just use layer mask in PS. it will take u probably a few minutes to just paint in the windows.
Im talking really fast once u are used to it. Dont just think "its too hard". its very very simple to do!

Bingo.......raws a waste of time.....IMO. I just spot meter the window before I set up the shot.....write that exposure down, then set up the tripod, shoot the normal shot then use the spot reading in Manual for the second shot (turn off the flash).

Then open both, hold down control with the move tool for the second darker one, let go and it should be on top and perfectly lined up. Change the opacity so you can see though it. Then if the window doesn't have anything blocking it I us the Lasso that draws straight lines ans select the window(s). If it has plants or something around (in the way) of the windows I'll use a small soft brush in "quick mask mode"...........then either way when you done hit "Inverse", then delete. This will delete the top dark shot all except for the window.......which will be perfectly exposed.

Quick hint.......you don't have to be that exact on this 99.9% of agents will never print this stuff bigger that 4X6, as a matter of fact most of it will be about 200 pixels on the web. You (they) will never see any small mistakes. Also, this is a big time waster so personally I don't do it on every shot.

I also do this for my Real Estate clients.........and I know I'm gonna get yelled at, but I do it for free.........well, not totally free, I work in a related field and they have to use my services (my real job) when it goes in escrow.

Here's one I just finished on a 2.75 Mil dollar home-

http://www.previewfirs​t.com/ViewVirtualTour.​do?id=12664

http://www.visualtour.​com/shownp.asp?sk=16&t​=1091476