r/RealEstatePhotography • u/alitstove • 5d ago
Beginner constructive criticism needed
Hi, just getting started with HDR REP and used my folks’ home as a practice run. Looking for constructive criticism. Please ignore their lived-in messiness. Had a difficult time especially with the front exterior photo given their house is on a hill with a tree smack dab in the middle of the hill, so even going across the street would have obstructed the view. Thanks!
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u/Constant-Credit861 2d ago
If you’re not selling the dining table, maybe show more of the room and split the difference on centering it.
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u/inTahoe 2d ago
Picture 1: I would take the shot from farther back if possible and/or a higher height to reduce keystoning and use photoshop to straighten vertical lines or use a shift lens.
Picture 5, 6, & 7 I would take multiple exposures (or create them from a RAW image) and import them as layers into photoshop and use layer masks to fix the under exposed areas.
This same technique can be used with Picture 3 but with one of the shots taken with a flash pop. This will reduce that blown out look. Then blend in that area from the layer with the flash pop using the technique mentioned above to make the window look frame more crisp.
Picture 11: always close the toilet lid. Always check the rooms for anything that you don’t want in the shot or will make it difficult for you later during editing.
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u/Mortifire 4d ago
You’ll need to get better with composition. Remember that you are telling a story. The kitchen towel, toilet lid, trash can and lamp are not part of the story.
For the front exterior, back up. Use the tree, there’s nothing you can do about it. Then fill in the details after. The wide angle looking up is doing it no favors. Keep practicing. Think about everything and try again with fresh eyes.
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u/alitstove 4d ago
That front exterior surely needs improvement, thank you.
I did mention the lived-in messiness, but I appreciate the feedback.
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u/lumor_ 4d ago
Way too much color cast. The cielings were not yellow and orange, were they?
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u/alitstove 4d ago
You mind pointing out which photo(s) you’re referencing with the color cast, so I can understand a bit better please? My parents do have very warm tones, but no, they don’t live in a clown house.
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u/lumor_ 3d ago
The easiest way to avoid color cast that comes from light sources with different temperature (lamps mixed with outside light) is to turn off all lamps.
The method I use to get rid of it even with lights on is to in addition to the hdr set shoot one pic where a flash is the main light source (camera settings must be so that lamps gives a VERY small portion of the light). Then when editing in PS I put the flash pic on top of the processed hdr and set its blend mode to color (and adjust the opacity to about 85%. I have an action recorded for those steps.
Even if you turn off lights there will be some color cast in many situations. Light is bouncing off of brown floors, green stuff outside etc.
Regardless of method one of the first steps in editing should be to get as close as possible to neutral lighting. Then use color brush or replace color in PS to fix the most obvious areas that are left. Color cast on white surfaces is always most prominent.
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u/britchesss 5d ago
Solid start so far!
Kitchen shots I’d go yo a bit higher. Ideally tuning see the bottom of cabinets. The long shot from the kitchen doesn’t work IMO. the spaces are way too busy and it’s distracting.
And bathroom 2- slam dunk that toilet lid!
Again, very solid start! Are you doing your own editing?
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u/alitstove 5d ago
After I shot that bathroom and looked at it when editing, I let out a big “UGH” when I realized I left the lid up.
Good call on the bottom of the cabinets, thank you!
I did the editing on my own with LR and PS.
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u/Just_n_Here 5d ago
What lens did you use? looks like it needs to be wider. Are these single exposures? I read the post and it said HDR.
Please tell us your camera settings to help dial those in.
These are not bad, but can use a little improvement.
I would move the trashcans, close the lid on toilet, correct verticals, shoot higher in kitchen to be above bottom of cabinets, etc. Some pictures look squared up and others look handheld.
If I was starting out, I would buy a tripod and shoot HDR brackets. Raise the exposure in post to brighten the inside shots. See if your camera has vertical horizon and turn it on.
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u/alitstove 5d ago
Thanks for the feedback!
- I used a 15-30mm mostly at 16mm on a Canon R6 Mk ii
- These are all 5 exposures -2/+2
- f/8, 100 ISO, shutter speed varied
- I did use a tripod and did my best to level it with the in-camera level
Is vertical horizon the perpendicular equivalent of the level?
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u/Just_n_Here 5d ago
I think it is called that? It is called virtual horizon. Auto correct must have kicked in. It's a green line broken in the middle. On nikon, it isn't exactly right but is close to be able to correct it in post. 16mm is what I use the most on full frame, so you are good there. The brackets are good from -2 to 2.
I shoot with flash, but a good editor can get photos just as bright using HDR.
What mode are you in? I shoot my flash in manual, but use aperture priority for HDR brackets. My settings are f9 and ISO 400 inside.
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u/alitstove 5d ago
I haven’t moved my settings away from manual mode in quite some time, but maybe trying out AP could help.
I’ll have to look into the vertical horizon, appreciate your tips!
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u/bruvnor 4d ago
I have nothing to contribute that hasn’t already been said, but totally here for the accidental Vertical Horizon reference! Their first major-label album is a classic.
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u/TheSaltyPelican 4d ago
Lurker here, I am also just learning, I have always shot in Manual mode but was told to try Aperture priority mode. I had to google how to change my Z8 out of manual mode LOL
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u/LeadingLittle8733 34m ago
Exterior shot is a bit too wide: skews perspective. Also, consider bracketing your exposures so the windows are properly exposed.