In Camera HDR V. Post-processing/manual HDR photos?

[DTolo]

Hello all I thought I'd seek some input from the crowd here.

I have noticed new point-n-shoots and DSLRs are offering in-camera HDR functions. Some may already know, I am going into real-estate, and it has been my experience that MLS listings with HDR photos of properties get more views. It just works out that way. So, I intend on ensuring every one of my listings has great photos, and use HDR.

Can anyone chime in on their preference to processed HDR v. In-Camera? I noticed the Nikon D5100 has a dual exposure HDR function, while some PnS cameras have 3-exposure HDR functions.

I want to use it to have great quality photos of properties, and less worried about the artistic HDR stuff (Which I already feel is best done manually with Pshop/Photomatix/etc.

Please do chime in!

Thanks All!

[SYNYSTAGLI]

http://photographyforrealestate.net/...east-the-cost/

Found that...hope it helps some :P I've only shot HDR on a few occasions and havent been shooting as of late

[xoutofstepx]

Definitely shoot with a DSLR/wide angle lens and PP-HDR.

You will be able to tweak the photos much more.

The article that Manny posted is a great resource.

Also, pay attention to the sun's location for optimal lighting on exterior shots.

Good luck with everything!

Some inspiration: http://www.mcmoniglegroup.com

[DTolo]

Manny and Step, Thanks a lot! Great link too Manny!

When I worked in Real Estate Staging we had a Photog that shot HDR photos for all of our houses, no flash, and he processed in RAW then converted to .jpeg to give to the listing agents.

I will be working almost always indoors, or close to 10:1 indoors to outdoors as I will be listing Condos/Apts in Manhattan.

So far, it looks like I will stick with my Sony A200 and look at a Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 wide angle lens as recommended in the article. Now to try and find one that is not too expensive, and also find a program I will be happy with that doesn't require heavy editing, or the HDR processing is more user friendly. I will be listing multiple apartments a day, so I can't spend hours in HDR processing. Although, if I get good at it, I might make friends "you don't really like me, you just like how I make you look" LOL

[xoutofstepx]

No prob! I would definitely advise picking up a flash. Not every apartment will be well lit.

Bounce the flash off the ceiling for even light distribution.

You might want to mess around with other post-processing settings before HDR. See what results you get.

Also, less is more in terms of HDR.

[DTolo]

This is who I worked for, and this is pretty much the level of effect I would like in my photos

http://www.staged4sale.com/gallery/gallery.htm

I will at least get the glass, and then see how much need for the HDR is, and I can also look into a flash.

[audiracer2002]

Its important to remember though that creating the HDR photos post is not easy, even for pros. I wouldn't discredit the built-in functionality to some of the point-and-shoots. Hell, my iPhone takes pretty good HDR photos and it doesn't have anywhere close to the sensor that some of the newer small digital cameras do. Some, like the Canon Powershot S100 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons100) even have a bracketing mode that if you don't like the built-in HDR effect, it will take the photos for you RAW automatically and let you do the HDR yourself in other software as if you were using a DSLR. Just food for thought.

[DTolo]

Dammit Rob... now I am back in the "need to decide" mode, lol.