Indoor Photography Battle part 2

[richie-t]

First of all i'd like to thank those of you who replied to my last thread (http://www.thedvdforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=483221) concerning indoor property photography.


We've since bought a tripod + are using photoshop to spruce up the pics a little.


We took the advice of over exposing natural light but are now found that windows are becoming the main problem. I'm pretty sure we're stuck with that but if there are any other comments i'd be very grateful.


On the photoshop editing side - we're simply adjusting levels, removing shadows, increasing saturation and sharpening. Am i missing any other vital tools?


Original shot:
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9206/2668bmt6.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2668bmt6.jpg)

New Improved Shot:
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/8456/ringtailbroom2jb8.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ringtailbroom2jb8.jpg)

A lounge with double windows (with window light problem)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7809/11rectoryloungevr9.th.jpg (http://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=11rectoryloungevr9.jpg)



To be honest, they're miles better now we're using the tripid + PS to brighten + enhance the colours. It is amazing how grey shots come out straight from the camera though!

[wseed]

Your right the pics look so much better than the last lot. As for blowing out the Whites on the windows you can do a double shot using the tripod. Exposure 1 for the window and also another shot for the room. You would then layer them in photoshop and cut through one image to reveal the other. Alternatively you could use the flash to balance the shot letting the camera expose for the windows and adding flash to expose the room.

Both processes have there pros and cons and will take a little practice.

[richie-t]

Thanks for the comment, i did try doing the window + then the exterior but found the interior exposure was too dark OR the window frames were really bright. It's certainly an idea i'll look at though.


Any photoshoppers have any other general image improvement tips other than the routine i've followed?

[Leigh]

The second bathroom shot isnt an improvement to me, it is far too bright and you have lost a lot of the colour. It is however a nicer shot and has better composition, also the room is far less cluttered :)

[richie-t]

fair comment leigh but with no natural light in that particular room i couldnt get any more colour!

Unless i'm doing something wrong?

[Leigh]

Did you use flash? You could potentially take the picture without flash and then play with the levels in photoshop to brighten it up a bit, especially since you have a tripod. The tripod will allow you to get a longer exposure so you probably wouldnt need to actually do much in PS.

I think you may achieve a nicer result over all. :)

[richie-t]

I dont use flash as it doesnt go over the wide angle lens (and leaves a horrible semi circle of darkness at the bottom of every shot). We did buy a flash gun but found it to darken the windows totally and we'd have to take several shots to get the exposure right.

I take all shots on a tripod, adjusting the shutter speed as necessary.

I've brightened that one up in PS but then you loose some colour. I then increased the saturation to improve the colour but it's still quite plain.

[Thomas_h]

Second bathroom-shot is much better compositionwhise, but it's overexposed and the wb is off.

Are the whites that blown in the original?

[RobDickinson]

Try some HDR, photoshop CS2 has built in stuff to do it (not the best) it'll let you expose the whole room & windows + outside nicely.

Heres one I mixed up with about 8 shots 1 stop apart...

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c172/robdickinson/house/livingroom1_1.jpg

[kez]

^^

nice. it looks computer generated :)

[surfer_chicky]

Nice RobD not jealous at all!!! so go on then whats the view from the balcany cant work out whether your high up and its clouds or the beach in the distance!!

lovely house :)

[richie-t]

very nice shot but the shots we do generally dont have mountain views.


Thanks for everyones advice, i think we'll just have to keep the white windows!