HDR vs Flash photography: Property Photos (large room)

[triciam914]

for a mag shot I liked the 1/250 and the 1/50th those seemed bright enough to capture the room the best and felt professional and clean.

[triciam914]

I felt the HDR shot gave the room a warm tone to it. For a magazine shot probably not but for a Christmas card shot or something on a personal level the warm tones seemed really nice to me.

[mrpenney1]

I was hoping you would be using real flash units with enough power to balance the indoor and outdoor...,. Battery powered pea shooter flashes don't count for squat...

The other reality (form making magazine quality photos that sell) is waiting until dusk when the light levels and nasty overcast blue drops down to where you can make the interior look warm against the cold blue of the exterior...

[offspringy]

On this particular house i think i prefer the Slow shutter with no flash, makes it look very warm and cosy, however i did like the HDR but with white balance it would have looked ace :D

[allahkaram]

I like the HDR and the low shutter equally. Nice tutorial.

[andwestuk]

You explained how to do that very precisely and slowly and then said here`s how the shot turned out now and showed it for about 1:millionth of a second. Thank God they have a great fast reacting pause function on YouTube. What was your thinking behind that then as I would have thought only about 1 in a million would have done something so daft

[Dombowerphoto]

@andwestuk there is the magic button on there that is called pause.

[KPGorKFC]

thank you for this video..i learn a lot :D i am a beginner in DSLR photographing :D

[xxbondsxx]

Awesome video! Subscribed

[cmos64]

1/250+flash is the way too go.

HDR for fun or artistic look yes but for magazine or stuff like that, flash.

[motokokusanagi85]

The HDR would look a lot different if the white balance had been adjusted so that the room didn't look so orange. I think this comparison could have been made a lot fairer in that respect, and for that reason, I'm out...haha

[Dombowerphoto]

@motokokusanagi85 check the photos on the blog

[motokokusanagi85]

@Dombowerphoto Cheers Mr Dom, just had a look, much better on there. Still can't make up my mind which I prefer though. The HDR is great with all the textures on show and reminds me of something you might see in a home improvement magazine selling some expensive boutique table or something. The last on is best for giving that open space, lots of natural light look, you can really feel the ambient in the room.

[Zensokustudios]

I think the HDR was over baked and the Flash shot while it looked okay, it could have used a few more off camera speed lights to evenly light the rest of the room as it started getting darker towards the back of the room. Also the view outside the windows aren't really all the worth it expose for. Over exposing the view outside the windows just a little bit would be okay in this case

[lukasgisbert]

2 completely different photos, hard to chose which is better, I would probably say that each one will fit well in there own context. Thanks for the video.

[SuperHolybasil]

HDR looks terrible, flash looks good until you see the place in real life.

Exposure blending is what you should use. Expose correctly for the various elements in the room. I.E. Furniture, ceiling, floor, walls, windows then blend them togeather in photoshop using masks.

It's the closest you can get to what it looks like through our eyes.

[Dombowerphoto]

@SuperHolybasil i would love to have the time to spend on the shot to do that. however when you just have 5 minutes to shoot each room,and a crappy work computer that doesnt have photoshop.... you got to use what you got

[bwinn10]

@Dombowerphoto any video tips comming are way? im just learning how to use the video on my 7d

[memkills]

they look dirty because you suck at editing.. and your not using photoshop

[StephaneXD]

I think the HDR looks very nice, but the trees outside are to dramatic...

[kawakocher]

the HDR looks like what would be in a magazine, the slow speed with flash looks like the most natural. Which is best? I'll go with the HDR. The warmth of the wood colors was great.

[stru81]

I like the HDR it feels a lot warmer than the other shots.

[vvinters]

Its possible to make HDR look less fake and more real. But it is difficult to get the tone mapping right.

[lopezae33]

the slow shutter and flash looked a little flat. what if you just brighten the hdr a little?

[amansoori]

The HDR shot draws my attention more towards the details. If these pictures were to lure me into looking at more photos of the house I would say the HDR wins.

[SuperHammer63]

I think the slow shutter with flash shot looks the best!

[Rular09]

Nice video as usual! Yes, the HDR looks fake but the flash looks too cold. Have you tried using Enfuse or Essential HDR (windows only) for bracketed shots? I think those two programs will produce a much better result than Photomatix (yes, I'm aware that Photomatix is the golden standard for HDRs but it has always disappointed me). Cheers.

[ragnarocking]

I like the way the HDR photo looks, though it's unrealistic and not appropriate for sales (which I'm assuming this photo will be used for).

[freeze3kgt]

I actually like the HDR version a lot better, it seems warmer and more inviting

[cedwardbrice]

I like the flash at 125th for indoor but i dont like the windows/outside. i think the HDR does the best at that. maybe you can combine elemnets of the 1/250th and HDR via layers and create a image with the best of both worlds.

[Mrchrisphotography]

1/250th is most natural to our eyesight and most pleasing to the eye. The HDR is bait to grungy

[estrm]

i vote for flash :)

[MortenCopenhagen]

I like the HDR best

[delsoul2003]

1/50th just about right, maybe a tad too bright. HDR would be perfect if the walls were a bit more bright.

[PhotographersOnUTube]

Hi Dom! I think it's a bit tricky. You have to look at it from 2 different perspective. One as a photographer but another perspective is as a potential buyer of the property. As a photographer it's between the no flash 1/20 sec and with flash (last photo) BUT as a potential buyer of the property I find the HDR more inviting, cozy and warm. So anyone trying to sell this property should probably go with the HDR.

[thure1982]

I went to your blog to take a closer look at the pictures.

I really prefer the one with the flash.

The view out of the windows is much sharper and gives a better overall image.

Best regards.

/Thure

[nerwin]

I have to say, they all look really good.

[ManicEightBall]

There's something about the HDR  where the way the lights act as practical lights rather than filling the room that just make the place look less inviting. On the other hand, the flash (250th) fills the room with light. Maybe there's something between the 250th and the 50th that would make a compromise, but I think it's definitely between those two for best shot.

IMHO

[0ldSandwich]

I'd have to prefer the 1/50 shot. It keeps the image looking natural/notsodamnHDRy, bright enough to keep the room looking appealing, and keeps just enough detail from outside without diverting the focus from the room to outside the room.

[CardboardStories]

Saw your blog post, I really like the one shot using a slow shutter speed. The HDR in this doesn't look too bad, it's the overdone ones out there that give HDR a bad name.

[africans1968]

I prefer HDR

[trongs01]

if there is some way you can reposition the flash to the centre but not having it too obvious i think that would be ideal. but for now i would go with the last one.

[pjos111]

I really like the HDR in this one as it does look and feel so much warmer.

[Dombowerphoto]

check out the blog page now as i have added the edited photos there. better than what Imovie has done to the imagea

[VISOR05records]

the HDR does give a nice warm cozy feeling, but indeed, there is something that looks "strange". it doesn't look HDR- HDR.

if you'd show me I wouldn't directly say "oh yeah that's clearly HDR"

I would rather think that there were some spots in there to light up the place :p

though looking at the curtains I think, you do notice the HDR imo, you also notice it at the framing of the right window, but thats just because you pay attention to it.

the other photos are less warm thx to the flash imo

[heuykiller]

1/50 with flash!

[Dombowerphoto]

I have added the photos to flickr if you want to take a closer look to the shots. I have uploaded the edite shots along with their editing details

flickr

/photos/22767497@N05/

[Dombowerphoto]

I have added the photos to flickr if you want to take a closer look to the shots. I have uploaded the edite shots along with their editing details

[WeHaveGoneGlobal]

The HDR has noodles

[13965082]

HDR does not make things look dirty if used correctly.

[ApexIXMR]

A 3-frame composition, using Exposure Bracketing or manually adjusting between shots, can give you great results without the Dynamic Range-robbing method of using flash or the contrast-robbing & surreal methods of HDR.

[Gibson2471]

i think if you dont overdue the hdr, it looks better for real estate photography.

[kcarsonsChannel]

I do think the slow shutter speed one is the better choice among them, the slow shutter speed is giving a more realistic and natural colours than others. If the light coming though the windows are too bright, I suggest the blinds can be lowered to block some light to let the camera have a much slower shutter speed, let the room light to fill them up. :- )

The one with the flash isn't bad ,but the temp. of the light can be lower(warm?yellow) , and one more flash to fill up the remaining darkness

[Bruce0586]

No question in my mind. The cleanest look was the flash with the 50th of a second shutter.

[rudrugis]

I like the HDR best i don´t think it´s too fake, Sure people will see that it is not a "plain" picture but people are used to the fact that pictures are "manipulated" in magazines ;)

[KevinMinato]

HDR is better in my opinion

[bshupejr]

The way you do the shot depends on what the client wants. My personal opinion, I think the HDR looks better because the bulk of the shot looks great and the small details which may not be great dont effect the overall feel of the shot. To be honest, the flash looks very flat and boring but may be more accurate. If I was shooting this and HDR was not allowed I would shoot it with a bunch of speedlights stashed around like behind the couch and such to balance out the light and liven up the colors.

[pixelcomet]

the hdr is too plastic. I prefer the 50th/flash version with a tiny bit more punch

[00gusman00]

Slow sync is a winner. I think the HDR is great as an image but does not get the job done. The purpose of the photo is detail in all areas, as a photographer you do not know what a potential buyer wants to see in the image, therefore including as much detail as possible should be the objective. If it's your own shoot, you can take artistic freedom and choose to portray a mood. Not so when there is a purpose to meet.

[TheSupasimon]

What about flash +HDR

[handsomelok]

@TheSupasimon WHAT IS THE POINT?????????????????

[AlTyler138]

1/250th flash looks the best, exposed well all over and good detail unlike the HDR which plays with the colours to much and messes it up a bit. HDR is warmer but like i said colours are a bit off. And can always warm up the flash shot later on if needs be.

[elpiegrandes]

prefer the flash approach. although you've achieved relatively good exposure with a single flash it would be interesting to see the room lit with one or two additional off camera lights to create a different feel (more contrasty?)

[MVC7CVM]

@Dombowerphoto 1/40 sec, and with a 2800° - 3000° Kelvin filter on your TTL

I think that would look great over there! Not the fake warmth of the HDR neither the cold that you get if you don't use flash

[ngvgnDOTcom]

I like all of them for different reasons and I do not think clients will care what you give them if the photos are good. But the one I like the most is the one at 250 of a second but I like 50th of a second but some parts are blow out.

People that are not into photography do not care at all if you give them good photos they will be happy.

[handsomelok]

@ngvgnDOTcom I disagree, sometimes I don't work for my clients , I work for myself, my photos represents myself, my brand and it reflects my skills. if the photos aren't good, you might get away with that, but they are certainly not happy!!

the clients might not care, but if you give them shit, someday you will soon be replaced by someone

[ngvgnDOTcom]

@handsomelok I'm saying I like all the photos. And that's why it does not matter. HDR can be tricky if you do not know what your doing. But it does have its own look.

I did say in my last comment that I like the flash one the most but I think HDR has a more artistic style to it. There is nothing wrong with the HDR but I would give the client the right photo that they need.

Pentax has a really good built in HDR mode I'll send you a video thats from vimeo. Its different then how Nikon.

[martenfisher1]

I like the look of the hdr but the flash just seemed so much more true to what you were seeing and to me trueness is more important than cool effects.

[erasmusmarius25]

I think the 1/20 is the best one of the lot, the hdr looks too fake for me sorry! :)

[MrYawn1]

think the HDR looks better. Looks warmer

[bwinn10]

i like flash better for this type of photogophy hdr is more for a outdoor dreamy type feel.

[thefilmmakerpro]

I like the shot with no flash at 1/20th imo :) I know it blows outside out but gives the green a nicer colour. Maybe a room with a different colour would show off the flash technique better, but in the end if you want to show outside aswell then the last shot is better. The HDR is to dirty, for a cloudy moody landscape then HDR can really look great if used well. To sell a property uhh no :)

[elvishefer]

I like the final flash pic at the end - I feel the HDR doesn't represent the space as well.

[336mrk]

dom why did you shoot HDR without the tripod ? it would have allowed you to shoot at F16 which should have compressed the light coming out of the bulbs still have to like the HDR tough it gives that warm feeling that will sell in a mag because you don't want to buy a house you want to buy a home if you catch my drift the grey lines could be possibly attributed to ghosting (movement of the tripod whilst the shots are being taken

[Dombowerphoto]

@336mrk but do you not think the hdr just looks too fake?

[336mrk]

@Dombowerphoto yes it does but think about this: your property photo is going to be in the middle of 20 or more others more colors attract the eye and it gives it a "homely " sort of look which would be the mood you would want especially for some of the older terraced houses and houses of character and no I would not say it looks fake its just out eyes getting used to lesser standards as film used to have a higher DR and digital is not even close

[336mrk]

@Dombowerphoto yes it does but think about this: your property photo is going to be in the middle of 20 or more others more colors attract the eye and it gives it a "homely " sort of look which would be the mood you would want especially for some of the older terraced houses and houses of character  and no I would not say it looks fake its just out eyes getting used to lesser standards as film used to have a higher DR and digital is not even close

[SLRist]

@Dombowerphoto - Maybe to your educated eye. Joe public haven't a clue what HDR is - as long as you don't go totally overboard like some of these tonemapping junkies. The HDR shot is definitely the pick of the bunch here.

[ActiviztA1]

@Dombowerphoto you're HDR shot looks really nice.. it's so warm it makes the room very inviting. the warmness of the HDR photo may have complimented the wooden floors and tables, that's why it looks really pleasing despite HDR photos being 'fake'.

if anything, i think the warm ambient light really makes the wood standout (and overall picture), something the flash won't do unless of course aided by filters.

[WetOct0puS]

@Dombowerphoto HDR does look little bit fake but its at the same time is more interesting, while 1/250th+flash looks realistic but too dark for my tasty ( but its my taste) btw you said that it was overcast day right? so 1/250th is the way it should be i guess , 1/25 is bright and again in my taste i dont really like blown out windows BUT Dom all three photos are great and thanks for some one the tips.

[elpiegrandes]

@336mrk here have a free full stop "." and i'll even throw in a comma for free! ","

[GrahamRoche]

HDR! :o)

[bundi3180]

Thanks for the tip.. I think the HDR just had a warmer tone but if it's at the expense of lower quality I'd just use the flash warm it up in Lightroom.. Quick question though at which point do you use the umbrella? You did a video of your apt using using your flash and other diffusers not too long ago and the umbrella gave the best results. (i.e. a room without a window/)

[Dombowerphoto]

@bundi3180 Eh? Not sure what you are asking there. i would use an umbrella if i am shooting a person not if i am just shooting a property. Never used an umbrella when doing property photography.. the video you are talking about is a light modifying kit for portraits not for property

[apcurtis1978]

I like the HDR too, gives a warmer feel to the room

[Dombowerphoto]

@apcurtis1978 but not too fake in your eyes?

[apcurtis1978]

@Dombowerphoto No, I think you did the HDR well. Its easy to turn a shot into another over done, fake HDR shot. the hard part is finding the balance. and for me you've got it right here.

[Carrrott]

@Dombowerphoto I normally do not like HDR, because as you say it looks too fake, but it this case it has just the right balance of tones and looks very very nice indeed, i feel the flash just makes it too flat and blahh, great video thanks

[MrClint13]

@Dombowerphoto ... its only as fake as you want it to be. thats the magic of HDR

[twinfighter2000]

@Dombowerphoto

Photomatix is here not the best choice. Put it manually together in Gimp or PS. You will get a cleaner and much sharper result. I think the best one is the last sample in your video with 1/50 sec and flash. But please adjust the white-balance. Your flash-photos looks to cold. The should minimum 250 Kelvin warmer. Remember your are mixing three lights: 8.000 Kelvin outside overcast, 2.500 Kelvin bulb-light and 6.000 Kelvin flash-light. Professionals would use more than one flash!

[treedio]

The last one is the best, Dom! Thanks for the vid. It is very informative.

[qcu89]

Try to use HDR Efex Pro, it's expensive but gives you a lot of posiblities to edit HDR.

[qcu89]

Try to use HDR Efex Pro, it's expensive but gives you a lot of posiblities to edit HDR.

[afloox]

tip 1: 1/20th slow shutter(no flash)

tip 2: 1/20th slow shutter(no flash) and a 2nd shot with -2stop --> combined in PS with masks at the windows

tip3: try dynamic photo hdr instead of photomatix

[dimebag690]

Nice vid! I liked the HDR myself, but then I don't have a clue what a magazine would want!

[Itchhhh]

Excellent argument! Well done:)