It is very important to remember, that before an image can be successfully retouched, the photograph must be taken by an experienced photographer with an in-depth knowledge of photographic theory and techniques. The use of professional equipment and a sound knowledge of real estate industry marketing strategies and psychology is also essential.
When photographing house interiors, a true representation of what our eyes see is very hard to recreate through photographs. This is predominantly due to the extreme lighting variances present.
Displayed above is a standard JPEG shot with a professional camera and lens. It makes the room look very dull and uninteresting.
A retoucher’s job is to make it look bright and airy and not closed in – just as it would in real life.
Firstly, the image is developed using professional software. The black and white clipping levels are adjusted for a maximum dynamic color range, whilst the and shadows and highlights are adjusted accordingly. At this stage, some image sharpening, white balancing and color enhancements may also be made if required.
The next step is to remove any distractions and tidy up the image.
TODO LIST: Clean up carpet, remove scratches on bed, remove junk under bed and tidy up dresser.
Now that the image has been cleaned up, it’s time to overlay a correctly exposed outdoor section of the image.
Lets do it…
Having see-through windows gives the photograph more depth and encourages the viewer to look into the image.
Now lets make the outside area look as it would under optimal conditions. ie spring time with nicely cut grass and a blue sky.
Much better… just a few final adjustments and we’re done.
Lets brighten up some of the darker areas to bring out the detail that we see naturally with our eyes.
It’s always best to have rooms ready for photographs, as remove some items can be quite a lengthy task and may cost you extra.
And this is only the retouching process. The photography is an entirely different subject in itself!
The cost of quality photographs and retouching in comparison to advertising costs is very minimal. So my advice is… market with quality images or your sale could take ages as the drawn out advertising expenses end up costing you a fortune. There’s a lot of competition out there and you certainly don’t want your house being ignored.
Which house would you be most interested in viewing???
