How Many Brackets & How Many Stops are Necessary for Real Estate Photography?

In this video we take a look into how many brackets and how many stops are necessary for HDR real estate photography and which bracket settings work best.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:22 3 Images 1 Stop
5:07 3 Images 2 Stops
6:06 3 Images 3 Stops
7:54 5 Images 1 Stop
9:42 5 Images 2 Stops
10:31 5 Images 3 Stops
11:25 9 Images 1 Stop
12:30 Outro

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THANKS FOR WATCHING!

[CostaMesaPhotography]

Another great video. Not sure you said it directly, but 3 images 2 stops apart covers the identical dynamic range of 5 images 1 stop apart. The only difference is that the 5 image set gets there more gradually, which may or may not matter depending on your workflow. I know that you've demonstrated the way your process bracketed sets, which is manually blending them, but I thought it would be interesting for you to demonstrate the way Lightroom would have blended each set into an HDR to see if there's any discernable difference.

[JeepTJWheelin]

I've always shot 3, 2 stops apart with great results. After all blending is one properly exposed, one over and one under. No need to complicate or over think it.

[gnarrdog]

Thanks for taking the time to do the experiment.

[maximilian.R]

Glad to see, others are researching topics of interest. I did this experiment months ago, when I started following your channel. I came across some articles that explained exposure values (EV’s) in great detail. On summer days, on bright days, you can have 15 EV‘s of light. When close to the water, it can get up to 17 EV‘s so, one should be able to catch this much dynamic range with all these bracketed shots. I was thinking that 5 exposures at 3 EV’s apart should cover the entire range of 15 EVs, in bright daylight. It does work, but Lightoom is not good at composing with so much data. The colors really become diminished. One has to do lots of color correction in the end when doing the HDR mode in Lightroom or in Photoshop. So, I kind of gave up on this method. it is a lot of usage and wear on the camera, if you think about it. You end up with close to half of shots a wedding photographer would do. So, it the cost on our part worth it?

[MrRichardbyers]

this is great information - would love to see the results for each setting.

[jaredmeche]

Working with a7IV, I mix it up a lot depending on who I'm shooting for. Real Estate, safe bet is 2.0EV5, even on really sunny day. Something to note, you'll get a hair more dynamic range per exposure at ISO 100 vs ISO 400(for a7IV). The second base will be more efficient if that's your goal, just pointing out how to stretch same brackets if needed. For interior design & Architecture shoots, I'll shoot 1.0EV5 and 1.0EV9 depending on how much dynamic range in the scene. Architecture & Interior Design shoots typically have less photos in final delivery, so it's not like you're shooting 9 exposures for 36+ final photos. None of the above changes when I mix in flash. I like the safety of brackets just in case the flash exposures just didn't turn out like I wanted.

[richryanphotography]

I always do 3 images 2 stops apart, and if I need more detail out the window, I just under expose the whole bracket by one stop, works perfect every time. I have never needed to shoot more than 3 brackets, I live on the east coast, shoot on Cape Cod frequently and properties right on the water, and never had an issue with getting the best view out the windows, regardless of the dynamic range in the image. Also keep in mind, (at least for my editor, and I think most editors if you outsource) They charge more per image if you are using more brackets. Great video as usual.

[MR-sicd]

I think 5/2 has all the information I need. I would be too worry that with a 3/2 I leave the house without everything I need.

[dronepilotcontractors]

Thanks for the close look at Bracketing!

[anitagibb]

I've been learning so much from your videos, thank you. I'm new to Real Estate Photography so this is very helpful. My full frame camera is limited to only 3 brackets and my crop sensor takes 5 so I've been experimenting with both.

[MelvinDlaCruz]

I've been using my Sony A7 for the past 2 months do a real estate and I've been shooting 5 brakes +2, and I've been getting really good results, I want to try 3 because sometimes I have so many files, but I like to run safe😅😅😅

[dougcooper]

Excellent tutorial comparison review video. Thank you Mike.

[Andredelapaz]

I shot a house thats very dark with no natural light with 3 images 2 stops. The photos didn’t come out very bright and room seemed dark. What could I do to fix this? I don’t have a flash by the way

[InMotionRealEstatePhotography]

I shoot 5 brackets, 1-2/3 stops on Canon R6. Prior used the same on 6D. I've tried many combos as well and this works best for me. It gets all the DR in 99% of the shots I take. If there is extreme DR, I go 5 brackets 2 stops.

[palebeachbum]

Thanks for another invaluable video. It would've been nice to see the resulting image from each set for comparison. From what I gather, many RE photographers use 5 images, 2 stops apart. I guess it's the sweet spot. My camera is limited to 3 images, 2 stops apart. I don't find it sufficient for interior shots. To get good exposure for typical interior lighting situations, the windows are always very overexposed, even on a cloudy day.

[PropertyClicksMedia]

Thanks for the awesome video experiment

[ArnaudBertrande]

very good idea and reflexion..too bad not to have shown the result with Lr hdr

[okyahora]

thanks so much for the video super informative but you dont merge the imagens so we can see the real diference ?

[Mister_EL.]

Nice comparison here! I have found that 1 stop increments result in better results and easier editing for me. Since my camera supports AEB of up to 7 brackets, I use 7 brackets - 1 stop apart most of the time. But I plan on testing your recommendation of 5 brackets - 2 stops apart to see what suits me best.

[tvleaker]

I have been doing mostly drone and exterior work for my clients, but I have a new client that sells hotels and wanted interiors, (lobby, fitness room, rooms etc.)I have been shooting 5 images 2 stops apart and merging in Luminar Neo, they look good, but sometimes a little cartoony, Clients have still been pretty happy, but Since I am not dealing a lot with exterior light sources, would you suggest shooting 5 images 1 stop apart? I find if I drop the 2nd overexposed shot, it looks better. Thanks for your videos