Why You Should Be Very Concerned About MLS Listing Photography
Posted by Mike Askins on Sunday, February 12th, 2017 at 12:22pm.
You've spent thousands of dollars and countless hours fixing your home up not to mention all the other upgrades you've added and expenses you've borne maintaining your home. You're particular with your home's look and if the truth be told, proud of all your efforts. If that describes you, then the last thing you want is to list your home with an agency that can't tell your home's individual story using well composed professional MLS photography.
Poor quality MLS photos can work against your listing, bring fewer showings and increase your days on market.
The No.1 Problem with Digital MLS Photography is Limited Dynamic Range
If you carefully view the slideshow below, you'll first see what the camera saw, followed by post processed RAW images by ARG Realtor Mike Askins. Digital cameras produce both JPEG and RAW images simultaneously, the JPEG being what the Camera sees, and a RAW file that allows for post processing adjustments to produce images more in line with what a human eye sees.
Processing RAW files allows you lighten "dark shadows," reduce over-exposed highlights, correct white balance, color temperature, sharpness, and control color channels in an effort to remove the depressing "dingy over yellow" look that is so common when photographing a home's interior. The RAW adjusted images results in well balanced, natural images that produce a more pleasant viewing experience. Here is a recent ARG MLS listing example so you can see the effects of professional photography in an MLS listing.
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Another TIP, is to change your light bulbs from warm yellow cast lights to "Cool Daylight LED light bulbs. The subtle, yet enhanced blue cast, will make your home appear larger and brighter while minimizing the tired, dingy yellow cast that works against a good first impression.
With ARG, we help solve photography induced bad first impressions. We use cutting edge camera systems, lens and strobe systems, that help us produce images that tell your home's story with photos. If you think about it, agents constantly remind home sellers that you only get "one first impression" and then post images to your MLS listing that fails that important test. With ARG, we work with our clients, from staging, cosmetic review, lighting, and then photography so when a prospective buyer see's your home for the very first time "on-line," it will past the all important "First Impression" test with flying colors!
With a success rate of over 90% selling our MLS listings, easily one of the best percentages in the business, we have a proven DFW MLS Listing system that brings results.
Perhaps it is time to engage a Realtor that understands the art of making a better first "online" impression. Got questions? Call us at 972.529.2394
BEFORE - Excessive Keystoning in Key MLS Photo
AFTER - Keystone, Shadows, Sharpness, Clarity Corrected
What the Camera Saw
Composition is off, Need to Crop, Adjust Shadows and Color Saturation
Photo Cropped, Colors Deepened, Blues Darkened, Shadows Boosted
The Result is a More Balanced and Composed Image
JPEG From Camera Lacks Shadow Detail and Offers to Much Contrast
Even a $7000 Camera System Won't Produce Professional Images on it's own
Post Processed RAW Image in Photoshop Corrects Images
Shadows, Light Balance, Color Cast, Sharpness Improved for a Natural Look
Entry Dining Image Features Deep Contrast, Dark Shadows
Typical JPEG Straight Out of Camera
Image is Balanced, Shadows Boosted, Highlights Reduced
Image Offers Viewer More Details, Opens Shadows, and Tells the Story
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Typical Camera JPEG. Dark and Badly Exposed
Not the image you want in your listing
Same Image, RAW Photo Corrected
Improve Color Balance, Boost Shadows, Reduce Yellow Cast
Not Bad Most Would Say
Image is Overly Dark, Screen is Too Bright, Shadows Hide Details
Image is Now Balanced, Details Exposed With Stunning Visual Clarity
Projector Screen Exposure is Lessened, Sharpness Improved, Shadows Reveal Details
Photography is Art. The Photographer the Artist, The Camera a Suggestion Only
This Image is Flat. Lacks Punch, Hides Details in Deep Dark Contrasts. Not Good For Telling Your Story
Same Image, But RAW File Processed! Wow, that Study Really Pops!
Detail is the KING of Photography, Built on Balances that Agree With the Human Eye
Not so Bad, The Camera Gets Close Once in a While...
...but "Close" is never good enough.
RAW File Shows Great Shadow Details, Better Light Balance and Sharpness
What is Balance? Well, Closely Matching What the Eye Sees! Thanks PhotoShop!
Cameras Want to Adjust Images Based Upon The Brightest Light. That's a Problem!
When I see an Image Like This, I know, I'll Produce a Perfect Images from RAW.
Isn't She Beautiful! Yes, The Camera Captures All This Information, but...
You'll Need PhotoShop to Find it! Owning an Expensive Camera Would be Meaningless, if Not for PhotoShop!
Gorgeous Master-Suite?
Camera Exposes for Brightness, Image is way too Dark, Information lost.
Same Image From the Post Processed RAW File.
Which Image Would You Prefer? Dark and Contrasty or an Information Rich Image?
I actually Could Have Used This File, But Highlights are Blown
Contrast is a bit Deep and I Can Do Better...
The Same Image, with Minor Correction and Better Brightness / Shadow Details.
Without Great Photography, Your Home is Reduced to Just Another MLS Address
The Spa-Pool or SPOL! Deep Shadows, Bright Highlights....Again
Photos Isn't Bad, but Lacks Information, Especially in Shadows.
With a Little Pixel Love, Highlights are Adjusted Along with Shadows
A Picture is Only Worth a Thousand Words, IF it Contains a Thousand Words of DETAIL.
Dark Shadows Almost Hide the Bar Chairs
Photographers Know Cloudy Days Show Better Details, But I Like Blue Skies!
Well, I'll Be.... Same Image, Photoshoped! And I Get To Keep Blue Skies!
Shadows are Well Behavied and Photo Information Well Enhanced To Tell The Story...
All Images in This Slide Show are Well Composed, Which is Job Number One.
Composition, then Correction, will Produce Exhilarating Life-like Images...
Composition, CHECK, Processing, CHECK!
Hope You Enjoyed the Slide Show About Why Photography Matters!
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Mike Askins, Realtor, Owner ARG, 20 Years of Client Services
Got questions for Realtor Mike? Call me at 214-727-3686 (mobile)