pmp5_realestate_tutorial_av_new

INT. PHOTOMATIX STUDIO - DAY

MID SHOT OF PHOTOGRAPHER

Photographer in his studio, a TV set next to him on the left shows a photo of the living room.

ZOOM IN TO:

PHOTOGRAPHER

Welcome to Photomatix (or something nice like 'Hello')
In this tutorial I am going to show you how to photograph this living room for a real-estate listing

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INT. ROOM - DAY - INTRODUCING THE TASK

LONG SHOT OF ROOM

Show the room in a LONG SHOT (i.e. sufficiently wide angle to see a large part of it) with the window(s) open (i.e, not covered by shutters, blinds or curtains) and taken at the default exposure

ZOOM IN TO:

VOICEOVER

This is a nice room and the view is nice too, can you see it?

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INT. ROOM - DAY - SPOTTING THE PROBLEM

MEDIUM LONG SHOT OF THE WINDOW

Gradually zoom in on the main window, though still not a complete close-up on it (i.e. part of the rest of the room still showing)

VOICEOVER

Well you can't! The video camera just can't show it with the default exposure. The dynamic range spanning the room plus the window is just too high to show everything in one exposure.

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INT. ROOM - DAY - EXPOSING FOR THE WINDOW

MEDIUM LONG SHOT OF THE WINDOW

Change the video camera's exposure until the view out of the window can be seen well

ZOOM OUT TO:

VOICEOVER

Now that I changed the video camera's exposure, you can see the view!
But you can't see the rest of the room anymore
The issue is the same for taking a photo of this room

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INT. ROOM - DAY - BACK TO NORMAL EXPOSURE

LONG SHOT OF ROOM

Back to default exposure and LONG SHOT view as in 2

VOICEOVER

You can see again the room's interior now, but the interior is still looking a bit dark

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INT. ROOM - DAY - EXPOSING FOR THE ROOM

LONG SHOT OF ROOM

Change the video camera's exposure until the interior looks "pleasantly" bright

VOICEOVER

I need to change the exposure again to make it look better
So, what is the solution? You guessed: Combining exposures! And this is what I am going to show you

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TITLE 'EQUIPMENT' - INTRODUCING REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

TITLE 'EQUIPMENT'

Screen containing the heading "Equipment"

VOICEOVER

Pause a little bit

Let's talk about the equipment

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TITLE 'EQUIPMENT' - #1 CAMERA

LIST ITEM #1 'CAMERA'/IMAGE OF A CAMERA

Same screen as above with a "1" item listed below the heading, and an animation adding the picture of a camera symbol next to it

VOICEOVER

First you need a camera. But you already know that of course

If your camera includes an Automatic Exposure Bracketing function, then this will certainly help.

Most DSLR's or mirrorless cameras offer Automatic Exposure Bracketing and some compact cameras as well

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TITLE 'EQUIPMENT' - #2 TRIPOD

LIST ITEM #2 'TRIPOD'/SYMBOL OF A TRIPOD

Same screen as above with a "2" item listed below the camera, and with an animation adding the picture of a tripod symbol next to it

VOICEOVER

If your camera doesn't offer Automatic Exposure Bracketing, then you will need a tripod to change the exposure manually.
If your camera does offer Automatic Exposure Bracketing, but with a limited number or EV range, then you may need a tripod as well. This will depend on how large the brightness difference between the view and the inside is.

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TITLE 'EQUIPMENT' - TRIPOD NOT NEEDED

LIST ITEM #2 'TRIPOD'/SYMBOL OF A TRIPOD

Same screen as above with an animation removing the picture of the tripod

Note: If the EV range is wide, given no additional lighting, it is likely that at least the longest exposure exceeds the shutter speed a photographer can hold without causing camera shake. So I would recommend to mention this.

VOICEOVER

If your camera offers Automatic Exposure Bracketing with large EV range, you may be lucky and not even need a tripod.

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TITLE 'TAKING THE EXPOSURES' ITEM #1

ITEM #1 '1. SET ISO AND APERTURE PRIORITY MODE'

Screen containing the heading "Taking the exposures"

PHOTOGRAPHER speaks to the audiance

Then, an animation adds "1. Set ISO and Aperture Priority mode"

VOICEOVER

Now let's get to the meat of the matter, and learn how to set your camera to take the exposures

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INT. ROOM - DAY - SETTING CAMERA'S ISO

MCU OF CAMERA

Show PHOTOGRAPHER's camera and how he sets the ISO

VOICEOVER

You will only change the Shutter Speed to change the exposure, ISO and Aperture will remain the same.
Set the ISO as low as possible. This will help keeping noise to a minimum.

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INT. ROOM - DAY - SETTING CAMERA TO APERTURE PRIORITY

MCU OF CAMERA

PHOTOGRAPHER's camera and how he sets it to Aperture Priority

Note: This could be the right moment for a mention to disable Auto Focus and Auto White Balance.

VOICEOVER

Set the camera to Aperture Priority

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TITLE 'TAKING THE EXPOSURES' ITEM #2

ITEM #2 '2. SPOT METERING'

Same screen as 10, with a "2. Spot metering" item added

VOICEOVER

We are now going to measure the exposure required for the darkest and brightest parts of the room

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INT. ROOM - DAY - SETTING CAMERA TO SPOT METERING MODE

MCU OF CAMERA DISPLAY

PHOTOGRAPHER's camera and how he sets it to spot metering mode

VOICEOVER

To do that, switch your camera to spot metering mode

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INT. ROOM - DAY - METERING THE DARKEST SPOT

MCU OF PHOTOGRAPHER AIMING HIS CAMERA

PHOTOGRAPHPER aiming his camera to the dark area, followed by Live View of the camera with OSD (On-Screen Display) showing the dark part of the interior and its shutter speed reading

NOTE: Moving the metering point doesn't work with my cameras, neither with my Canon nor with my Sony. I can set Spotmetering Mode, but the spot is fixed in the middle.

VOICEOVER

First, position the focus point over the darkest part of the room.
And read the shutter speed.

It reads Shutter1 sec.

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INT. ROOM - DAY - METERING THE BRIGHTEST SPOT

MCU OF PHOTOGRAPHER AIMING HIS CAMERA

PHOTOGRAPHPER aiming his camera to the window, followed by Live View of the camera with OSD (On-Screen Display) showing the window and its shutter speed reading

NOTE: Moving the metering point doesn't work with my cameras, neither with my Canon nor with my Sony. I can set Spotmetering Mode, but the spot is fixed in the middle.

VOICEOVER

Then, go next to the window and position the focus point over the brightest part of the room.

And read the shutter speed.

It reads Shutter2 sec.

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INT. ROOM - DAY - METERING CONCLUSION

Room at default exposure and LONG SHOT view as in 2

VOICEOVER

You have now measured the exposure needed to see the room's interior well, and the exposure needed to see the view out of the window.

However, the difference in brightness between both is so large that you will need to take intermediary exposures to get a "smooth" image with the combined exposures.

It is easy to take the intermediary exposures if your camera offers Automatic Exposure Bracketing. However, it requires a bit of math to figure out how to set the normal exposure of the bracketed sets.

–

TITLE 'TAKING THE EXPOSURES' ITEM #3

ITEM #3 '3. HDR EXPOSURE CALCULATOR HTTP://HDRSOFT.COM/EV'

Same screen as 11, with a "3. HDR Exposure Calculator" item added and below it "www.hdrsoft.com/ev" and presented it in a way that gives it a good visibility

VOICEOVER

If you are like me and don't want to do the math, use the free online tool called HDR Exposure Calculator

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INT. ROOM - DAY - RUN HDR EXPOSURE CALCULATOR

MCU OF IPHONE

PHOTOGRAPHER's iPhone and how he enters hdrsoft.com/ev in Safari

VOICEOVER

You can access the tool by typing hdrsoft dot com slash ev in your browser

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INT. ROOM - DAY - ENTER SHUTTER SPEED FOR DARKEST EXPOSURE

ECU OF IPHONE

Show the HDR Exposure Calculator and how PHOTOGRAPHER enters Shutter1

VOICEOVER

The exposure you measured for the darkest part of the room is Shutter1, so I enter that in the first field

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INT. ROOM - DAY - ENTER SHUTTER SPEED FOR BRIGHTEST EXPOSURE

ECU OF IPHONE

Show the HDR Exposure Calculator and how PHOTOGRAPHER enters Shutter2

VOICEOVER

The exposure you measured for the window is Shutter2, so I enter Shutter2 in the second field

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INT. ROOM - DAY - ENTER NUMBER OF FRAMES

ECU OF IPHONE

Show how PHOTOGRAPHER does that

VOICEOVER

As my camera can take up to 5, I set the Auto-bracketed Frames selection to 5

The maximum number of auto-bracketed frames depends on your camera model

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INT. ROOM - DAY - GET EXPOSURES

ECU OF IPHONE

PHOTOGRAPHER taps on "Get Exposures"

VOICEOVER

As my camera can bracket exposures spaced by 2 EV, I leave the EV Spacing selection unchanged

The maximum EV spacing depends on your camera model. It is often 2 EV on Canon camera models, and often 1 EV on Nikon cameras

You can now tap on "Get Exposures"

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INT. ROOM - DAY - RESULTS IN HDR EXP. CALC.

MCU OF IPHONE

Show the results generated by the HDR Exposure Calculator.

Note: The sequences below assume that PHOTOGRAPHER's camera can take 5 bracketed exposures spaced by 2 EV, AND that the measured shutter speeds only require one bracketed set of 5 photos at 2EV according to the HDR Exposure Calculator. If this assumption isn't possible, then the script will have to be adjusted accordingly.

Note 2: Actually the 5D MK II can only take 3 photos at 2 EV. However I usually use Magic Lantern to overcome this restriction. I don't think it is a good idea to mention Magic Lantern, but I could use it without a mention. What do you think? The other option could be to rent a 6D, which can do 7 photos at 2 EV.

VOICEOVER

The HDR Exposure Calculator tells that I need one bracketed set with NormalExposure as shutter speed.

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INT. ROOM - DAY - SETTING UP THE CAMERA

MCU OF CAMERA

PHOTOGRAPHER's camera and how he sets the dial to M 'Manual Mode'

VOICEOVER

To use Automatic Exposure Bracketing, switch the camera to Manual Mode first

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INT. ROOM - DAY - SETTING TO NORMAL EXPOSURE

ECU OF CAMERA

PHOTOGRAPHER's camera and how he sets normal exposure

VOICEOVER

Set the Shutter Speed to NormalExposure as given by the HDR Exposure Calculator

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INT. ROOM - DAY - SETTING UP AEB

ECU OF CAMERA'S MENU

PHOTOGRAPHER's camera and how he sets AEB in the menu

VOICEOVER

Set your camera to Auto Exposure Bracketing

This camera is a Canon EOS Mark II. I push the Menu button. Then I navigate to the second menu screen and choose Exposure Compensation/AEB, turn the dial to the left until both red markers reach the maximum EV spacing available, which is 2 EV

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INT. ROOM - DAY - SETTING UP EV SPACING

ECU OF CAMERA'S MENU

Show PHOTOGRAPHER's camera and how he does that

Note: Activating AEB and setting EV spacing with the 5D MK II is done in one step

VOICEOVER

Set the EV spacing to +/- 2 EV if your camera supports it, otherwise to the highest EV spacing it supports.

Note, I have done this in the previous step. However, this might be different for your camera

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INT. ROOM - DAY - SETTING UP CONTINIOUS SHOOTING

ECU OF CAMERA'S UPPER DISPLAY

Show PHOTOGRAPHER's camera and how he sets up Continious Shooting

VOICEOVER

Lastly, select the Continuous Shooting mode

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INT. ROOM - DAY

ECU OF CAMERA'S SHUTTER RELEASE

PHOTOGRAPHER's camera and that he presses the shutter button

VOICEOVER

Everything is set up now, and you just need to press the shutter button

(Click sound from camera)

That was it! But I am a lucky guy because my camera only needed one bracketed set to capture this room

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INT. ROOM - DAY - THE FINAL PHOTO

LONG SHOT OF ROOM

Room at default exposure and LONG SHOT view as in 2

VOICEOVER

If your camera cannot bracket more than 3 exposures at 2 EV, then the HDR Exposure Calculator will tell you to shoot two bracketed sets to capture this room.

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INT. ROOM - DAY

MCU OF PHOTOGRAPHER WITH CAMERA ON A TRIPOD

PHOTOGRAPHER's camera on a tripod and how he sets and shoots the two bracketed sets

VOICEOVER

For that, use a tripod to shoot the first bracketed set.

Once you have shot the first bracket, keep the camera on the tripod to set the shutter speed for the second bracketed set and to press the shutter button a second time.

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INT. PHOTOMATIX STUDIO - DAY

CU OF THE SD/CF CARD INSERTED IN THE READER

Show PHOTOGRAPHER's computer (Windows OS) and that he is inserting the CF/SD into computer's drive

Then show PHOTOGRAPHER's computer screen and that he opens Photomatix Pro

VOICEOVER

You have now taken the exposures necessary to capture both the room interior and the view

The rest is easy. Transfer the photos to your computer, and let Photomatix do its magic

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INT. PHOTOMATIX PRO INTERFACE

PHOTOMATIX PRO LOADING IMAGES

Show Photomatix Pro, zoom in on the Workflow Shortcuts, show that PHOTOGRAPHER clicks on 'Load Bracketed Photos', browses to the photos and clicks 'OK'

VOICEOVER

If you shot both in JPEG and RAWs, then it is better to load the JPEG photos, as it produces more pleasant images in the natural style.

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INT. PHOTOMATIX PRO INTERFACE

SETTING THE MERGE OPTIONS

Show the Merge to HDR Options dialog, that PHOTOGRAPHER clicks on the Merge button and briefly show the progress bar (less than 1 sec)

VOICEOVER

Check the alignment option, even if you used a tripod

Don't check the deghosting option

If you loaded RAW files, then check the noise reduction option

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INT. PHOTOMATIX PRO INTERFACE

ADJUST AND PREVIEW > CHOOSING A PRESET

Show the tonemapping/fusion windows with the Default preset selected and with the thumbnails listed on two columns

Zoom in on the preset panel and show that PHOTOGRAPHER selects the Architecture category

Choose the Interior 2 preset and zoom out so that the preview shows

VOICEOVER

Here is the merged HDR image. To make it easier to find presets intended for interior real estate photos, click the combo-box on top of the thumbnails list and select Architecture.

The Interior and Interior2 presets are particularly good at rendering the view out of the window while keeping a natural look.

Note that if you use Photomatix with photos of exterior, then use the preset named Natural, as the Interior preset doesn't work well for exterior shots.

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INT. PHOTOMATIX PRO INTERFACE

ADJUST & PREVIEW > ADJUST BRIGHTNESS

Zoom in on the Settings panel and change the Brightness slider, and/or the Saturation one, then zoom out so that the preview shows again

VOICEOVER

Once you have found a preset you like, you can use the settings on the left to further adjust the image

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INT. PHOTOMATIX PRO INTERFACE

ADJUST & PREVIEW > RENDERING RESULT

Zoom in on the Apply button, show that PHOTOGRAPHER clicks on it, then show the progress bar (around 1 sec) and then the final image with Finishing Touch panel.

VOICEOVER

Once you are satisfied with your image, click on the Apply button on the bottom left

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INT. PHOTOMATIX PRO INTERFACE

FINISHING TOUCH

Zoom in on the Finishing Touch panel, click on Sharpen and choose "Mild"

VOICEOVER

You can use the Finishing Touch panel to add contrast or sharpening

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INT. PHOTOMATIX PRO INTERFACE

SAVING THE IMAGE

Show that PHOTOGRAPHER clicks on "Save Image" and that he saves the image

VOICEOVER

Click on the "Save Image" button to save your image

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INT. BROWSER

SHOWING HDRSOFT.COM AND DOWNLOAD PHOTOMATIX PRO

Show the HDRsoft.com homepage, then that PHOTOGRAPHER clicks on Download, then on "More Info & Download", then on the download link and that it gets downloaded.

VOICEOVER

If you haven't tried Photomatix Pro yet, you can download it from HDRsoft dot com

The trial is fully functional and doesn't expire. A watermark is added to the final image when Photomatix is in trial mode

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INT. PHOTOMATIX STUDIO - DAY

MID SHOT OF PHOTOGRAPHER AT DESK

Photographer in his studio like in 1, a desk with a notebook / monitor. He is looking up from his screen.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Thank you for watching!