As a real estate professional there is an important question you may need to ask. Why are you paying for a photographer?
You take the photos, and I will make them look professional!
Real Estate Photo Editing
Merge 3 exposure bracketed images into a bright and professional photo. Perspective correction and window-view enhancement included.
$3
/each
Editing Editions
Object removal - cleaning up small objects. Sky replacement. Pins, tags, outlines, or color enhancements to mark property.
+$2
/each
Specialty Editing
Day to dusk conversion, panoramic photo stitching, complex object removal, graphics creation, rendering merges
Quote
/each
Schedule Photo Processing | More Information
Take Your Own Photos
With EDS Real Estate Photo Processing services you can save money by taking your own pictures. As a real estate agent, you know better than anyone which essential perspectives are required to gain interest in your listing. Before even presenting the seller's agreement you have already instinctively visualized the best angles of the most important features. Right in your hand is an expensive mobile device which contains cutting edge camera technology. Ironically, you will use this high-tech optical device to call a photographer. Yet you are quite capable of snapping your own and then use EDS real estate photo processing services.
History of Failure
I am certain most realtors on some occasions have taken their own photos. But the results included yellowed images, dark ceilings, heavy shadows, sunlight washouts, and wide-angle distortions. Enough issues to inspire calling a professional photographer the next time around. What you may not realize is that the photographer will also have a host of similar issues – but is able to fix them during editing. You are paying for the trifecta of drive time, a photo session, and post-processing. All this expense for images that only have a two-week shelf-life due to your real estate marketing skills. Why not bypass the bulk of this expense? Snap photos with your own smartphone and still present professional images with the help of EDS Real Estate Photo Processing services.
Post-Processing Magic
Here is what the photographer has that you did not. RAW format images taken in multiple exposure brackets. RAW is the general term for uncompressed photos. Other formats such as JPG, HEIC, PNG, or BMP purge most of the original sensor data to reduce file size. Uncompressed files allow pinpoint adjustments to coloring, shadowing, distortion, and white levels. ‘Bracketing’ means taking the same image multiple times using different exposure levels. These are required for HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo merging. With professional photo editing software plus years of editing experience – even mediocre photography can result in fantastic real estate images.
Only 3 Requirements
To save money by submitting photos to EDS for Real Estate Photo Processing, there are three key elements required. A wide-angle lens, RAW image format, and exposure bracketing. The first two are standard on most smartphones since 2020. The third, rapid-burst exposure bracketing, will likely require an app. The app I have experience with is the Pro Camera by Moment app. It costs only $8.99. However, I believe it is only available on iOS. From discussion boards I have browsed it seems the best app for Android devices is HedgeCam 2: Advanced Camera. Since I have used the Pro Camera app I have included a short tutorial. There are likely many other available applications if you are to search ‘rapid-burst exposure bracketing smartphone app’ or similar.
Pro Camera
Advanced Camera
shadowing removed to show detail
front of cabin shadowed view
Samples of typical real estate photos whitened far beyond realistic representation
1 Load a 'Bracketing' App
An eight-dollar app will allow your smartphone camera to capture exposure bracketed images. Each tap will take three photos at three different exposure levels - allowing post-processing to merge the best aspects of each image. With my iPhone I have used the Pro Camera by Moment app. This app is only available on iOS devices. I have included a short tutorial. If you have an android device one application I am aware of is HedgeCam 2: Advanced Camera. But if you search "smartphone photo-burst exposure bracketing" there are likely several comparable apps available.
2Take Your Photos
Once your phone is set to take bracketed RAW photos there are a few things to understand. RAW photos are 3-5 times larger file size than JPEG or HEIC photos. In addition, each time you click three photos are being taken. So be certain you have enough memory space to take all of the photos you need. All real estate photos will be taken in 'landscape' position. Always try to avoid shooting directly into the sun. Post processing can repair most brightness issues, but it is still best to avoid when possible. Hold your device steady for about 2 seconds with each camera click. (The camera will take a burst-shot of 3 photos, which may take up to 2 seconds total.) If available using a tripod is the best practice.
Note: Some smartphones do not have capability to take RAW photos in Bracketed mode. If this is the case, go ahead with the JPEG format. There will be editing limitations, but in general, still similar results to the samples seen on this website.
Interior Photos: Turn on all interior lights. Turn on any decorative lighting or gas fireplace. Curtains should all be in natural open position. Blinds should be open. Toilet seats and covers down. And of course, a clean and clutter free environment. Turn the flash off. The optimum camera height is between 4ft and 5ft. Aiming into a corner most often gives the best angle. Straight onto a wall can also be a great shot. Avoid shooting the back of furniture when possible - the image should invite you IN to the room. Different devices will have varying amounts of distortion in wide-angle mode. (Distortion: How far out of vertical the edge lines appear) The top corners will be clipped some during the distortion correction process. To compensate the best practice is to frame the intended image, and then back up a bit to allow for nominal zooming during the distortion correction process.
Exterior Photos: Most photos should be taken in Standard mode rather than the wide-angle mode used indoors. Only use wide-angle when it is entirely necessary to frame the entire structure or capture deck and patio shots. Height can be quite variable. Take photos from knee level to as high as your arm will reach - decide which look best later. Highlight deck and patio views from multiple perspectives. Always get the straight-on shot most often used as the primary image. Take many photos and pick the best later.
Take Many Photos: Indoor and outdoor, take many photos from a large variation of perspectives allowing you many choices while picking the best.