There are a few drastically different techniques used by photographers specializing in real estate to get their desired image. One of them is called “Flambient”, where bright flashes are utilized to achieve color accuracy at the expense of taking far too long on site. Others simply go in without flash and take one single photo per room. This saves time, but images may lack the same detail you can achieve otherwise. Messner Media believes the key is somewhere in the middle called HDR photography. In markets like Bozeman and Big Sky, here's why we believe it is the best choice.
If you’ve never heard of HDR, specifically within professional real estate photography, let us clarify. HDR simply means “High Dynamic Range”. The way we practice this is by taking three to five images of the same scene at different exposures, then blending them in photoshop. This allows agents to give buyers the most accurate representation of how we perceive a room. The lower exposures let you pull windows to bring the outside views forward, and the higher exposures make sure no detail is lost in the shadows.
It’s no secret that captivating images can help immensely if your goal is to actually sell property. With views in every direction, we want to make sure we can incorporate them with any chance we get. One of the challenges we deal with on a daily basis when photographing real estate is high-contrast environments where far more light is coming through a window than being given off by interior lights. “Pulling windows'' is one of the methods we use to counter that. We start by taking a very dark, under-exposed photo where all you can see is the view out the window, then step up to bring more light to the interior. Traditional photography may result in windows being too bright, blown out, or just completely white. But when you blend those multiple exposures, it lets the views for which Montana is famous have a place in every one of your properties. Messner Media offers a variety of HDR photography services that utilize this very technique, you can find them here.
We also want to make sure we aren't completely drowning out natural light that has a place in your listings. After all, we do see buyers make decisions based on the directions of windows and how much light that enters the home. HDR photography has proven effective for real estate here in Bozeman and Big Sky by creating images that are bright and inviting, just like their communities. It allows the full range of light to be captured, with each kind having its place. From the otherwise overpowering rays coming through tall windows, to the softer glow of a bedside lamp; each has its chance to shine.
The last point we’ll make is we believe HDR photography leads to the most authentic representations of what property truly looks like. Authenticity brings many things, the most important being appreciation from your clients for not misrepresenting anything. HDR photography in real estate captures the full range of color, light, texture, and depth that photographers strive to acquire, producing images that are true to life with crisp details. It’s one of the easiest ways to gain traction on your listing, just by fairly representing what you have and encouraging buyers to take the next step towards their Montana dream.
Allowing for window pulls, enhancing the natural lighting, and maintaining authenticity for your listings is why we believe HDR photography is the best choice for us and your Montana listings. It focuses on the views, keeps the home bright, and builds trust among your clients that they won’t soon forget. So whether you have a luxury estate or an entry-level condo, do right by your clients and make sure it is represented with the greatest accuracy and detail; you won’t regret it.