Easy Window Pulls for Real Estate Photography

[@JAYSILB]

I'll have to try this technique on my next shoot. I am the guy manually tracing around difficult obstacles, and it takes forever! A daunting part of RE photography for me is the editing, hopefully now I can save myself some effort!

[@chriswhitephotos]

Same here, I’m that guy clicking around individual leaves on plants that are in front of windows, it gets very tedious over time so I too will be using this technique in my next shoot.. which happens to be tomorrow actually 🤨🤔

[@ngtrongtri]

It's rare that someone can make videos continuously for 3 4 years. Thank you very much and hope you continue to make new videos to help newbies

[@kenyon-music]

10/10 video from the pace of speaking to the content you cover. Well done and thank you!

[@luistamayo8894]

You’re probably one of my favorite people to show this kind of stuff!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thank you Luis!

[@Coryo61827]

I’m so glad that you continue to cover the same topics you’ve already covered before from time to time. Especially this. For some reason window pulls have just been one of those things that sometimes I nail it, sometimes I don’t, but I haven’t been able to be consistent with it yet. So it’s nice to see these refreshers with new examples pop on on your channel. As always, thanks Nathan!

[@paulmarch]

Hello Nathan, Thank you so much for your video on Windows pulls. I am a real estate photographer in Malaga, Spain. I have watched so many videos on this subject and this works like a dream. Many thanks

[@imofilme]

Thanks

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thank you!

[@oslego]

That's a lot of exceptionally good learning material condensed into a video that other creators might have blabbered over and over to fill time. Thank you for your work! Masking and blend modes are amazing!

[@stevepaterson2]

I love this approach. I'm just starting out and feel lucky to have found this technique early in my game. Thank you Nathan!

[@soundinthenight]

Excellent tutorial! Great technique making window pulls so easy, thank you!

[@stephenzane5725]

This popped up in my youtube homepage - I basically never photograph real estate but watched out of curiosity. Will keep this in mind for my advertising work. Thanks for a sharing a concise and no-nonsense tutorial!

[@Zodgee]

Awesome tutorials thank you!

[@Ragnovlod]

That was so cool! Thanks.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Glad you liked it!

[@christhompsonphotography6783]

This video is gold.

[@Claire-qr4yj]

Thanks Nathan for this video. I am wondering why the flash and pull shutter speeds are the same in these examples?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're welcome Claire. The exposure on the window pull is to obtain the outside view, so it will vary or sometimes be the same as flash shots...sometimes higher, sometimes lower. I explain this in much more detail in Mastering Flambient, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3ILeJeI

[@messedmushroom]

this is like magic

[@holly4221]

My window pulls are top notch because of your videos Nathan! I do pulls also about 97% of the time here in south Fl. Thank you for sharing!

[@megacube5482]

thank you sir, this has helped very much

[@andrewavilesphoto]

wow this is a godsend

[@elanegraves1811]

Finally- I understand why we're "flashing" the window! It's to overexpose the interior so that you can then use darken mode to bring out the exterior for the window pull. (If that's not it, someone let me know)

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

These are some of the basics for interiors, so I think it would be helpful if you downloaded my e-book on interiors which covers this and a lot more in greater detail to give you a better understanding of the whys behind the whats. Here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3IjNPZK

[@DelgadoPropertyManagement]

another great tutorial!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@shengyuanhsuphotography7255]

nice lesson

[@_32Signs]

Thanks again.

[@jlafoon]

Is there a setting or something that would prevent the delete key from working on the mask? I have never been able to get that to work in Ps. The delete (or backspace) do not do anything when pressed, no matter if the foreground is white or black. I have been making the selection then using a brush at 100% fill instead. I haven't been able to find the right search terms in Google to figure this out either. Thanks for all the great content, it is really appreciated!

[@SamAronwald]

Thank you for this fantastic tutorial Nathan! I am about to start capturing interiors for my real estate / rental company in Aspen. What lighting equipment are you using for these shots? I would like to purchase a similar light. Thanks again!

[@TheHumbledHuman]

Thanks for this awesome video! I was wondering how much flash power you used for these window pulls? And also what was the zoom setting? Thank you!

[@YavuzSevimli]

Hi Nathan thank you for shareing. I have been learning a lot from your videos. I have a question. Is this technic working for black window frames or wooden window frames?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're welcome! Color/darkness/material doesn't matter, works on all windows, I talk more about this in my book in interior photography, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3O9zUYa

[@sottheaphoeurng9044]

Hello sir can you please make an editing video tutorial on ipad for people like me who have just ipad to edit photo? I really love the method you edit your real estate photos. But I don't know if I can do that on ipad.

[@roxikoko3744]

Could you do HDR for the window pulls and flambient for everything else?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Since you'd already by doing flash for the flambient, then just hit the window with that flash for the window pull for much easier results. I cover this more in my pro interiors course, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: LearnRE.NathanCool.com

[@stefanvasilev9318]

Awesome tutorial! One question - how does that work with dark window frames? The Darken mode would not work with rough selections, right?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thanks! To your question: It doesn't matter, this works for any color or darkness of the frames, curtains, etc. The principle is in how Darken blending mode works based on what layers are detected below it. I cover this in more detail in my book Mastering Flambient, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3A6zkbA

[@blomquist.j]

Big thanks for this video. So nice!

[@darrylrixonphotography]

Nathan, you’re such a saviour & educator, I’ve never tried using a shoot through umbrella before, do you recommend one over bouncing off a white ceiling. When I don’t have a white ceiling I just adjust the white balance manually in post to what I feel looks as close to the original colours as possible.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thank you! Depends on the situation and using the right technique for each, these are things I break down in detail in my lighting guide, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3QzbEjR

[@darrylrixonphotography]

@@NathanCoolPhoto I have all your books I probably need a refresh by reading them again

[@hueandsteve1989]

Very helpful as always. Thank you!

[@retoanca]

Thank you!!!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're welcome!

[@Muleketo369]

Hi Nathan, I shot all my real estate photos in 3 bracketing. Can you demonstrate how to do window pull with 3 bracketing shot? Please let me know. Thanks.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

See kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJepc5qDhLt_d6Msi=562rKX4ZnTk6xCvH

[@germaingresl1563]

My question is... do you go slow enough in your courses... and clearly show what you're doing in editing (on the computer)? Im referring to the courses for purchase. I totally think it be worthwhile for me to purchase a course....Thank you for what you do!!!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Yes, my courses go into extreme detail, step by step, with screen captures to show how I do the editing (and everything else, actually). The courses also come with RAW files so that you can follow along. Here's a link if you'd like to check them out learnre.nathancool.com

[@elliottmccrackenrealestate2907]

What camera settings did you have on that second example window pull. One shot for that whole room… did you click down a full 2 stops? It looks kinda bright for a room that size like maybe only 1 stop or so? Just curious so I can speed up my work flow when on site

[@FeliciaMarquie]

Is it possible to get the same effect without using a flash?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Not as easily, nor as accurately.

[@blomquist.j]

How do you get the flash exposure so even lit?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

AD400 in a STU, not sure if you have my lighting guide but that could help: amzn.to/3HCED24

[@imofilme]

Nathan is it just me or is impossible to do window pulls for darken mode using a flash light...not enough power...do I need something like AD 200? Love your content! Thank you.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

The rule is to overexpose the interior window frame while setting camera exposure for the outside. Sometimes this can be done with a speedlight, but other times it might require a bigger light. I show this in various parts of my REP books, especially "Mastering Flambient". And of course I cover this in my online course as well prointeriors.nathancool.com

[@macmcginnis3180]

I was shooting everything no matter the situation at ISO 320 and f/6.3. Recently changed to 400 and f/7.1. What's the driver for changing your ISO in any given situation? I'm assuming if the room is well lit with ambient to begin with you'd reduce your ISO?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

ETTR vs quality vs DOF. I delve into this more in my interiors book, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3OcFnxo

[@Pablomalaka]

Thank you very much for sharing Nathan. I've been following you for a few months on KZbin and I've learned a lot. I live in Spain and unfortunately I don't speak English, so I have to use Google translator. I have been dedicated to real estate photography for 7 years and I will surely buy one of your books on Amazon. It will be difficult for me to translate them. I wanted to ask if the books have explanatory graphics or photos and diagrams in addition to the text to help understand the explanations. And also, if you could be so kind to number the order of your books, I would appreciate it. Greetings.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're welcome, Pablo. The books are dominated by images, which should help, and they are listed in order here on the Amazon page for Spain: www.amazon.es/dp/B078NLRKNM?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn

[@ethanthompson3089]

What Flash do you use?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

It depends and there are a lot of choices, that's part of the basics that I talk about in my interiors book, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3UVlLSr

[@Jehantk]

Is ISO 250 the native ISO on your camera??

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Most modern camera's native ISOs are 100, including the Z5 used here, but that has nothing to do with choosing ISO for flambient, like in this video. I'd suggest downloading my ebook on interior photography at amzn.to/3po0DWf which will help you better understand why certain ISO values are used, along with other camera and flash settings when doing interior photography using the flambient technique.

[@kmooney000]

I have a problem in some instances of not being able to get the outside exposure dark enough. I run into the limit of my sync speed with my flash. Any wisdom to share?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Lower your ISO to 100 for the pull using f/8. More than 1/200 second at that setting and you're basically shooting outside :) You can also lower ISO below 100 on many cameras. Or over flash and lower exposure in post....requires big lights.

[@inputstudio2011]

I've noticed that you're using ISO 250. Is there a reason you're not going lower (for instance 100)? Noob question, sorry ;)

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

I think you should watch the video again as each example uses different exposure settings, including ISO. There is a balance of flash power to ETTR, which are fundamental principles to understand for REP interior work. This is something I show in my book in interior photography, so I'd suggest downloading the ebook and working through that, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3OPAF91

[@inputstudio2011]

@@NathanCoolPhoto , thanks, I will check the ebook! I wrote in mid video, then I've noticed you had other setting in another example. After a while on pondering about your video I did thought that it was a balance because of the flash :) Still have a lot to learn and experiment :)

[@cheryllopez3799]

I use this trick all the time but mini blinds that only pull up half way still give me nightmares because the bottom of the blinds will cast a hard shadow on the next blind (and so on) and mess up the window pull. I usually try to not do window pulls in that situation (it is what it is) but I have an agent that insists on the super bright windows. Any tips besides paint in one blind at a time? PS Usually these broken blinds are in the kid's room and there are a million toys in front of the window too. ;0)

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

If you're seeing shadows then you're likely flashing too hard. Try also a different angle.

[@cheryllopez3799]

@@NathanCoolPhoto Also, thank you for the reminder on the "fix it" shots on window pulls. I always manage to forget to do these.

[@vikrantrm4237]

how to do this in video ?

[@warrenrobison5981]

I've tried and tired to do this window pull following step by step and it always leaves a darkness around the wood on the windows. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. also, the shadows from the chandler stay as well. Now think I wasted $900 on the Explor 600. 😞

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

If that's what you're seeing then you are definitely doing something wrong. I show this in greater detail, far more than what a short YT video can, in my pro interiors course. It's one of a number of online courses I provide to learn real estate photography, here's a link if you'd like to check them out: LearnRE.NathanCool.com

[@warrenrobison5981]

@@NathanCoolPhoto thanks! Yeah, my error was not over-exposing the light pull correctly. Thanks, Nathan! I purchased your book to help pay for what I've learned from your videos.

[@radoslavkasparec9345]

I really envy your big american windows without blinds and curtains and double windows. This technique is almost impossible to pull off perfectly here in Czechia. Since lots of houses have double window, there is always a reflextion from shooting towards the windows from any angle. And don't get me started about blinds and curtains, those are plague of nice window pull.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

We have the exact same kinds of windows here. I've shot literally thousands of homes with all kinds of window treatments, blinds, curtains, glass, wood frames, metal frames, sheers, you name it, I've seen it all. If done properly then darken-mode window pulls are no problem and will work every time. Sounds like you are likely using too much flash power, which causes those reflections, and can cause shadows.

[@radoslavkasparec9345]

@@NathanCoolPhoto Yes, I admit, that i've probably been using a lot of flash power. Do you recommend using a soft box in bigger rooms to soften the shadows or is the ceiling bounce good enough? Thanks 🙂

[@strummedia4068]

@@NathanCoolPhotowow! Amazing! You have the best real estate pictures I’ve seen. I’m not using a flash yet. Is there an easy way to do pulls like this with HDR?

[@firpofutbol]

How much do you charge for a job on a $1 million dollar home in So Cal?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

This should help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKGWeqWnnsmnm7M

[@tonyjohnson.photography]

Thank you for doing these videos!