Best HDR Software for Real Estate (Used By Expert Photographers)
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, which is one of the go-to of most professional real estate photographers in the past years. The HDR process takes multiple photos of the exact same scene and at the exact same angle, but with different levels of exposure for each shot. More often than not, an average of three photos are used to formulate the one HDR result.
- Image 1 is of the normal white balance
- Image 2 should be overexposed to capture the shadows
- Image 3 should be underexposed to capture the highlights
This method of post-production creates amazingly crisp, luminous, and vibrant images to put your listing under the best light and make a good impression online.
In order to professionally stack these layers and blend them in a way that produces a workable image, we highly recommend investing in the best HDR software for real estate photography. A good software will not only save you time and energy during post, but it can also give you the opportunity to maximize each shot and boost your lead generation with every published image.
5 Factors to Consider for the Best HDR Program for Real Estate Photographers
When choosing the best HDR program for your real estate photography business, it is important to keep in mind that this will be your regular companion when editing both interior and exterior shots. This means that the program should be highly flexible to varying scenery, lighting conditions, and have a wide range of options that bring out even the smallest, yet valuable, details of the image.
The 5 main factors you should keep in are as follows:
1. Post-Processing Capabilities
We believe that in order to consistently get a winning shot, you need a good balance of three things:
A high quality camera
The necessary skills and experience to use the camera efficiently
A good editing tool to enhance what raw images can’t project
HDR programs usually have a built-in system to merge the layers in such a way that creates the most visually pleasing results. However, some programs have more detailed features to boot, which could make a world of difference especially when it comes to shadows and highlights.
2. Ease Of Use
There is no use in investing on the most complex programs if you will not be able to comprehend the features. Opt for HDR software with a straightforward interface, a good set of features, and an intuitive workspace to help you make the process much smoother.
3. Compatible File and Video Formats
Opt for a program that gives you the capability to export or at least convert images to a universal format supported by other devices, such as JPEG and PNG. This will make transferring files, showing presentations, and running projects by clients a breeze to do.
With universal file formats, you will not have to think too much about being able to upload them on listing websites, sending them through emails, featuring them on promotional channels, or adding them to digital portfolios.
4. Cross-Platform Compatibility
Real estate photographers often work with multiple kinds of operating systems as their projects can get spread out to different computers. Choose HDR programs that are compatible with most operating systems on the market today.
Having cross-platform compatible software will go a long way when transferring your project to different devices.
5. Licensing
Last, but not the least, licensing is an essential factor when considering which HDR program to invest in, most especially if you are working with a whole team of real estate photography professionals.
There are some programs that are very limiting and will restrict you to using your subscription only on one computer, while others give you the freedom to maximize it on various devices.
4 Best HDR Software for Real Estate Photography
With the above factors in mind, we have curated a list of the best HDR software for real estate photography on the market today.
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Lightroom is by far a photographer favorite. It has many great features that make post-production a breeze such as
- Ability to create presets
- Ability to apply presets to a batch of photos
- HDR Merge tools
It also has a very user-friendly interface offering a wide range of filters and adjustment tools, helping you get the exact look you are going for each time.
Their HDR Merge Preview feature is where you want to start off. One great tool under the feature is Auto Tune, which gives an evenly toned image automatically. Another is the Auto-Align, which is mostly used for exterior shots with movements on them.
A fan favorite tool is the Create Stack Option, which assists in grouping exposure-bracketed images into 1 stack.
Main Factors Included
- Post Processing Capabilities
- Photo Merge function
- Ease Of Use
- Distraction-free workspace
- Quick access to image gallery
- Compatible File and Video Formats
- Supports JPEG, PNG, PSD, and PSB
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
- Needs at least Windows 10 or Mac Mojave
- Licensing
You can sign in with 1 account and use up to 2 devices simultaneously
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021
This tool is regularly updated to enhance its features and fix any bugs as they improve. Similar to Lightroom, Elements also features Photo Merge Exposure and the ability to adjust details with their user-friendly sliders.
One feature that Elements is also regarded for is their Group Shot tool, which allows you to move people or objects around, adding a more lifestyle vibe to any image. It houses Photoshop’s classic photo manipulation features and is perfect for those who need to alter elements and work with 3D.
Main Factors Included
- Post Processing Capabilities
- Photo Merge function
- Compatible File and Video Formats
- Supports JPEG, PNG, PSD, and PSB
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
- Needs at least Windows 10 or Mac Mojave
- Licensing
- You can sign in with 1 account and use up to 2 devices simultaneously
Photomatix Pro 6
Photomatix Pro 6 helps you seamlessly combine exposures, presets, and color adjustments in just a few clicks. In fact, they provide their out built-in presets that have been programmed to work best for interior and exterior shots.
They also feature ghost reduction options, automatic alignment, and a robust set of HDR tools, such as:
Exposure blending
Edge-aware brushes
Enhanced color controls
Distortion and perspective correction
Tone balancer
Furthermore, Photomatix pro can produce time lapse videos using bracketed JPEG images that have been batch processed.
Main Factors Included
- Post Processing Capabilities
- Photo Merge function
- Better Auto Tone function
- Better Exposure Stacking function
- Ease Of Use
- Easy to understand interface
- Compatible File and Video Formats
- Supports JPEG, PNG, and RAW
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
- Functions well with older operating systems
- Licensing
- Allows up to 2 devices simultaneously
Aurora HDR Enhancing Program
This is the perfect software for photographers who want to produce quality-blended images packed with the finest details. Its main features include:
- Exposure Stacking
- Tone Curve
- Graduated HD Filter
- Auto-Alignment
- Auto-Ghosting
- Removal of Chromatic Aberration
- Top & Bottom Lighting (to separately modify exposures)
You will want to start off at the Structure panel to adjust temperature, lighting, shadows, and clarity then go from there. The HDR Smart Structure allows for more texture depth in the images, and fix the perspective as you go along.
Main Factors Included
- Post Processing Capabilities
- Photo Merge function
- Better Auto Tone function
- Better Exposure Stacking function
- Ease Of Use
- Distraction-free workspace
- Quick access to image gallery
- Compatible File and Video Formats
- Supports JPEG, PNG, and RAW
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
- Functions well with older operating systems
- Licensing
- Allows up to 5 devices simultaneously
4 Real Estate HDR Photo Editing Tips
If you are new to the HDR technique, we have a handy list of 4 tips to get you started on the right foot.
Tip #1: Capture Multiple Bracketed Images
As we mentioned, HDR involves at least 3 different images of the exact same scene, but each with varying exposure levels. Start off by capturing the base exposure, and then lower the exposure level to capture the highlights. Lastly, go back to the base exposure and add a couple of levels to capture the shadows.
Tip #2: Shoot RAW, not JPEG
HDR requires the maximum number of data from your images to get crisp, high quality results. The best way to go about this is by shooting in RAW format since this gives you the most flexibility in post-production without compromising the quality of your result.
Tip #3: Keep It Realistic
While it may be tempting to have your images look overly vibrant and bursting with life, be sure that you are keeping your post-production elements at a realistic level. This way, it will be much easier for your target market to relate to the listing and be inclined to consider it.
Tip #4: Maximize Your Presets
Presets have been programmed into software for a reason – they make your life so much easier, and your photos so much better. Maximize the built-in adjustments and tweak it to your preferences, this not only saves you time and energy, but it can also impress your clients by providing faster turnarounds.
Wrap Up
There you have it! Venturing into HDR photography could seem a little too complex in the beginning but once you dip your toes in, you will find that it is nothing short of a fun learning experience that can definitely take your images up a notch.
With frequent practice and taking time out to explore both your camera and chosen software, you will soon find that editing for your real estate images will feel like second nature. The more images you churn out, the more you will learn about your own personal style as well, which can help you build your name as a real estate photographer and find what best interests you in the field.
