The bright window problem
A camera can't hold a sunny window and a shaded room in one exposure. Expose for the room and the window turns white; expose for the window and the room goes dark. Photographers solve this by shooting brackets: three or five frames of the same angle at different exposures. Editing combines them into one frame that looks the way your eyes saw the room.
Two ways to blend
| Method | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure blend | Brackets merged automatically, then refined by hand | Most interiors, quick turnarounds |
| Window pull | The window area masked in from a darker frame | Rooms with a view worth showing, high-end listings |
| Flash and ambient | A flash frame blended with natural light frames | True color in rooms with mixed light |
Keeping it natural
Overdone HDR is easy to spot: gray halos around windows, flat contrast and walls that glow. We aim for a room that looks bright and real, with a believable view outside and shadows where they belong. Tell us if you prefer a brighter, airier look or a moodier one, and send a reference listing if you have one.
Color in mixed light
Window light is blue and bulbs are warm, so white walls can turn two colors in one frame. We correct white balance by area, so walls and ceilings stay neutral without making the room feel cold.
What to send
- All brackets for each angle, in RAW if you can
- The shot order, if it matters for the listing
- Any room where the view outside is a selling point
Questions
How many brackets should I shoot?
Three is enough for most rooms. Five helps in rooms with very bright windows or dark corners.
Can you blend phone photos?
Phones often merge exposures already. Send the original files and we'll take them from there.
Got a listing shoot to edit? Tell us how many photos, the address type and when the listing goes live.
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