EXPOSURE BLENDING FOR REAL ESTATE AND ARCHITECTURE PHOTOGRAPHY - A "MUST HAVE" SKILL!

Can't be bothered with exposure blending? Take the fast approach with Aurora HDR here: bit.ly/best_HDR (use ATSKY10 for a discount). Get Luminar AI for finishing your shots to the next level, here: bit.ly/Lum-AI with discount code ATSKY10
To make your luminosity masking even quicker, check out this exposure blending panel bit.ly/3dpGeub. There's an option to get it with the tutorial videos which I did, and I have to say, they are very well put together and a really fantastic resource for learning exposure blending techniques.
In this architecture interior / real estate video tutorial, I show one of THE MOST POWERFUL techniques you NEED to know if you want to be successful as an architectural photographer and that is exposure blending.
This video is thorough with the aim of helping you understand the process but also why we take the steps we do.
We'll look at preparing the files in Lightroom and then loading them as layers in photoshop. Then we'll use the "Apply Image" command on the masks to create a refined and highly detailed mask based on the brightness (luminosity) of the photos. From here, I'll show you how I use a technique called double masking to bring back the effect only where I want it, but now I can paint it in much more roughly and quickly.
The actual process only takes a couple of minutes, but the demo is longer to allow for a complete explanation. If you're interested in becoming an architectural photographer or upping your real estate photography, then learning luminosity masking and exposure blending is a must!
✅ SOFTWARE I USE 👈
👍 Merge photos with realistic exposure blending in Aurora HDR: bit.ly/2TfoisF_HDR
👌 Improve photos in bulk with Luminar AI (discount code ATSKY10): bit.ly/Lum-AI
Get Lightroom and Photoshop here: bit.ly/CCadobe
😄 Lightroom Alternative without subscription!: bit.ly/dxo-editing
💣Best Sharpening, denoise, and upscaling: bit.ly/TopazBundle (discount code "turnham15")
✅ THE BEST EDITING PLUGINS 👈
🤩 Luminosity masking panel for Photoshop: bit.ly/3dpGeub
💪 High end finishing alternative bit.ly/nik-collection-dxo
✅ USEFUL PHOTOGRAPHY LINKS 👈
⛅ Best Sky replacement pack: bit.ly/2Ruj8KP-Skies
🖊 The graphics tablet I use: amzn.to/33mJxwN (best brand, best size IMHO)
🖱 Tourbox - for editing quicker: bit.ly/39TdQ1S (discount code: TB20210408XXL08)
🖥️ Monitor: amzn.to/346A64E
✅ My Camera Equipment 👈
Best power vs cost strobe for lighting interiors bit.ly/pro-strobe
📷 Lens: amzn.to/2RZzV5M
📷 New fav camera: amzn.to/3vHkMI6
📷 Pro Camera: amzn.to/3j3fQan
📷 My Wide Angle Lens: amzn.to/3j9I1Vb (used for 90% of my architectural work)
📷 Nifty fifty: amzn.to/3ifmY2t
📷 Mid-range zoom: amzn.to/33Xltkc
📷 Telephoto Lens: amzn.to/3cBAyMo
📷 Tripod Head for architecture: amzn.to/30cbJBq
These are affiliate links to the equipment I use - they are not sponsored by the manufacturer in any way. If you use these links it costs you no more than normal and will get you a discount where possible. Any small commission I get helps me to keep providing free content for you guys. Thanks for supporting the channel. I really appreciate it. ​​🙏​
YOU CAN FOLLOW ME AND MY WORK HERE:
Architecture: / nz_architectural_photo...
Website: www.architectural-photography...
Website: anthonyturnham.com

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Into architectural photography? Great news! I've set up a NEW channel dedicated to architectural photography here >> bit.ly/ATArchitecture If that's your thing go there and subscribe for more content like this! I'll be covering editing, business advice, and tips to help you earn more as a professional or simply start creating architectural images you're proud of. See you there!

[@RodrigoPereira-hu2nx]

Top ❤ made total sense, very well explained, very comfortable and well spoken voice. Thank you, Anthony 🙏

[@anthony.sobrightie]

This is great! Very well explained. This technique has been eluding me for a while :-P

[@randyrundio7156]

Thank you for sharing this. I am just diving into real estate photography and this is one of the best tutorials I've watched. Your final image looks much more natural than the folks that cut out windows and create scenes our eyes would never capture. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Hi Randy! Thanks for the comment. If real estate and architecture photography is you thing you'd probably like my newer channel I set up dedicated to the subject: here >> bit.ly/ATArchitecture

[@alexguy01]

This is THE video that should be shown for exposure blending. Had I seen this first, I would've saved a whole lot of time not understanding Raya Pro and would've had fewer shoots doing flambient. You the man Anthony!

[@360-media]

A very good explanation of the process. I thought I was alone in using Luminar to finish off my RE images. I love getting that little extra pop there. I love the effort and detail you put into making this video. Subscribed!

[@UpLighting]

Made sense. The bathroom shot is spectacular!

[@ericaclark6017]

Super helpful. Thank you for your time.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

You're very welcome!

[@MaryKayUlsamer]

Made sense, to the max. You’re an amazing teacher, thanks so much for your videos!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Aw, that's very kind of you to say so Mary.

[@kaylenmaynard3506]

incredibly helpfull video. thank you so much.

[@pakipakitopapaki]

everything made sense!! thank you!!

[@rynied1]

Made sense! Thank you ! Bathroom!

[@supermercadoelcristo8408]

Best blending tutorial, thanks a lot for the explanation.

[@sabiq40]

Made sense... Thank you very much 👍🏻😊

[@jakesescapesmedia]

this was great! thanks so much!

[@kadermeriem136]

thank you so much this was so useful, i've learned so much, bless you

[@VPhotography2010]

Thanx for the clear process, straight forward

[@rhiggins86]

Great video Anthony! Your level of detailed explanation is always so helpful!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks Robert.

[@dustylense]

This was fantastic. I've been shooting arch for 30 years! Started with film on 4x5. What a great technique you got here.

[@user-ox5wh4mw2z]

Made sense, thank you so much.

[@Omarography]

Makes sense. Many thanks!

[@softiczlatan]

Awesome work Anthony 🙏

[@pratikpatil4352]

Made Sense ... Thankyou for this tutorial

[@PhilWarner]

Bathroom vote from me. Great videos! I've done exposure blending to get this same look but I'm always looking for better and faster methods. Once I get caught up with my work I'll spend a few hours to watch more of your videos in detail.

[@law32O8]

Incredible tutorial, great explanations

[@daeyvees]

This is the best for me. Just dived into real estate photography with big headaches on how to edit those images but with this life just got better and easier.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Hi mate. Glad this has helped. I've been adding more videos like this over on my dedicated architecture editing channel. It might be useful to you. bit.ly/ATArchitecture

[@wayaschiller]

Made sense, great work!

[@hueandsteve1989]

Thanks for the help, that's very useful.

[@waimalao]

Highlights! Awesome video!

[@RussellMcCollom]

GREAT as always. I think it was explained as well as could be.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Kentsj]

Made sense, bathroom. Great tutorial!!!!

[@jswalk4]

Another excellent video!! Thank you Anthony. I would love to see a full edit on the bathroom.

[@ethanedwards1865]

Made sense! Thank you for taking your time and going into such detail!! Would love to see the full bathroom demo.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

No worries Ethan. If I get some more requests for the bathroom edit I'll put a vid together. Cheers for the comment.

[@ShubhamGupta-bf3og]

MADE SENSE!!

[@borncajun385]

This. Was. Awesome!! Thank you so much, sir 🙏🏼

[@AnthonyTurnham]

You're very welcome! Cheers for stopping by and watching! 😀

[@jetfighter1369]

Made sense. Thank you so much 🙏

[@blackvx]

Thank you so much, you're my new master. 😁👍

[@sedranch]

Made sense. Thanks so much for the detailed explanation.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

You're welcome!

[@isaiahmacadam]

Made sense, thank you 👌🏻

[@bl4841]

you're a legend man. Thank you for your contributions!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks 🙏

[@gerardmendis8715]

That's a great technique. Must try. Thank you Anthony.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Hi Gerard. Yeah for architecure/real estate and landscape photography too, this technique was a game changer for me.

[@arikbaron2103]

Highlights, very well done. Thanks!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Much appreciated!

[@erzdigitalmedia6569]

AWESOME VIDEO! THIS WAS SUPER USEFUL

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Awesome! Thanks. If you like this type of architectural editing you'll probably like the dedicated channel I set up: bit.ly/ATArchitecture it's got more examples like this and other useful techniques.

[@RazioProductions]

Great video! Super Helpful!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Cheers Razio

[@stevemeredith4689]

Made Sense! Might have to watch a couple times more...

[@peopleoffini2077]

Made so much sense

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Great to hear. Thanks.

[@d.kgymmotivation9832]

Made sense thank you

[@andrewhull5801]

ur vids are amazing, so much info in each one

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Glad you like them! Cheers for the comments!

[@RichardNattoo]

MADE SO MUCH SENSE ANTHONY!!!!!!!!!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Awesome. Really good to hear.

[@amirehrlich4969]

Thanks Anthony. very good explanation that made a lot of sense.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Cheers Amir!

[@andydragonfisher6900]

Made perfect sense and very helpful - 🙌

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lepenseur8191]

This video is really helpful! Well explained, thank you!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

You're very welcome!

[@shalomgerald717]

Made sense!

[@neillroan9688]

Made Sense

[@ferielo6884]

Always my go to tutorials because your teaching method is just brilliant! I actually understand why I am doing an action vs just plain copying. Well worth the time to watch!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks. I really appreciate that! If you're digging the architectural editing vids you'll probably enjoy my other channel too bit.ly/ATArchitecture

[@ferielo6884]

@@AnthonyTurnham thank you. I have subscribed just earlier today when I saw it in your description 🙏

[@visionmediaproductionsnz]

Perfect sense, Thank you very much I look forward to your bathroom edit.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks

[@Badlukk91]

Made sense! And bathroom 🙏

[@thanetkaewduangdee9632]

Made sense, Thank you😀

[@guillaumehugonnard3154]

Thanks! I like the bathroom photo and I'm curious to know more about the edit, the result of the reflections and the cityscape looks beautiful and natural, well done!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks Guillaume. I'm due to put that bathroom video together soon. A lot of people have shown interest in seeing how I edited it.

[@hresto1]

Made sense! Thanks.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks Herman

[@annettegenis]

Made sense!! Thanks

[@AnthonyTurnham]

You're welcome! Thanks for the comment Annette.

[@gabo8322]

Great video, as always! Made sense.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Nice one. Cheers Gabriel.

[@jaybillups2063]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Glad it was helpful Jay! Thanks for the comment 😀

[@virtualstagingmaestro5213]

Thanks for sharing these tips for free.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

My pleasure!

[@imager555]

made sense!

[@roxanneashe4902]

Made sense very well!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks Roxanne. 😀

[@fat_chavez]

Thank you so much for this video, I have learned a lot. Would love to see the bathroom one as well

[@hannahmountry5030]

Fantastic!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jumpywizard2801]

Made sense, BATHROOM. University level stuff here Anthony. You're introducing me to so many new techniques. Using layers for bracketed images was something I've been wanting to learn and this video was really informative/valuable!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

👌 Awesome. Thanks for the feedback and glad thiscwas helpful!

[@GeraldaSimatupang]

Great video, Anthony! This knowledge will help me to upskill my photo editing for sure. Thanks!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Great to hear!

[@plixplop]

Great technique! I've been using Photoshop for over 20 years but I'm new to real estate photography and combining multiple exposures. I have watched a ton of similar videos in the last couple weeks, yours is the first I've seen use groups to double-mask a layer like this, and also the first I've seen use alt/option click on the mask to see the mask. Everyone else kind of treats the mask as some mysterious thing you can't see or interact with directly. One suggestion: Levels adjustment on the detail masks that you extracted from the image can be tremendous to dial in the intensity of the mask. For instance if there are shades of grey around the highlight areas of the mask but you really only want the strongest part of the highlight, you can adjust levels to crush the grey midtones into a harsher black+white.

[@introgenesis]

it made sense to me! + bathroom please!!!! great tutorial by the way! Thank you!!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

You're so welcome David! Yes, the bathroom tutorial video is overdue. Thanks for the nudge :)

[@markwillride]

Thank you very much!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Welcome!

[@Impressa244]

too much usefull, got a bit confuse great info! subscribed!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks for the sub! If you like architectural photography it might be worth subbing to my new channel I set up bit.ly/ATArchitecture where I'll be sharing this type of content going forward :) See you there!

[@grahamclark2299]

Made sense, great video! Would be interesting to see the bathroom, please.

[@paolascattolon4325]

excellent! yes for bathroom edit video please!

[@bennewman2646]

Made sense cheers Anthony

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks Ben

[@steveboring5186]

Anthony, Great video! One of the things that's really confusing to me as masking and more importantly layers. I'm just getting into the house photography and your explanation has helped me tremendously. Now all I have to do is practice, practice, practice… Thanks again

[@AnthonyTurnham]

I hope the practice is paying off Steve 😀

[@christinehoflehner5786]

Made sense! :-) Thank you.

[@aristepp680]

Made sense

[@pahountisg]

Great job on your videos as aways!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thank you 🙏

[@wannabepro6495]

Brilliant. I do architectural visualization and this technique is exactly what I was looking for to paint out my different exposures. Thanks mate!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wannabepro6495]

@@AnthonyTurnham In conjunction with render elements and selections sets this works really nicely. Apart from just this technique your videos helped a lot with my interior renderings so I thank you for that.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

@@wannabepro6495 Really good to hear. Thanks for your kind words.

[@DavidRadtkePhoto]

Love your videos! And yes I’d love to see the bathroom edit. 😃

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Cheers for the vote David.

[@morikiani]

Im Mori from Dubai, Thank you very much for your lovely videos and making this helpful tutorial for us, waiting for your next video, good luck bro 🙏🏻

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Hi Mori. Thanks for your comment. Plenty of good architecture for you to shoot in Dubai. I love it there! Had a great trip with my wife and kids 2 years ago. Fantastic place.

[@morikiani]

@@AnthonyTurnham Thanks Anthony for reply, yes there is new property every day happening in Dubai so i really like to improve my architecture photography, I’m really glad that you had great time with your family in Dubai, i hope you can come again and do more architecture work, wish u all the best 🙏🏻

[@geraldmclean4866]

Just Marvellous thank you very much for taking the time and effort to go through that explanation. Bathroom

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Glad it was helpful Gerald! I'm posting new architectural editing content to my new channel bit.ly/ATArchitecture I'll put the bathroom one on there.

[@fcoker73]

Yesssss....bathroom.....bathroom...bathroom...lol great video.it totally made sense!

[@stephaneMichaux]

thanks for the video !! really nice editing "Bathroom" entire process could be a great idea

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Thanks Stephanie. I'm popping the newer architecture videos and follow ups over here on my other free training channel: bit.ly/ATArchitecture Hope to see you over there :)

[@wintershi7585]

great job。。。really helped

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Great to hear 👍

[@boruchlen]

Brilliant! Makes sense 😊👍. Bathroom. Really enjoyed the tutorial. Thanks!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Glad you enjoyed it! BTW I've moved a lot of my architectural photography and editing content over to: bit.ly/ATArchitecture If you liked this one you'll probbly find more tutorials you like over there. 😀 Thanks for watching and commenting! 🙏

[@boruchlen]

@@AnthonyTurnham thanks for replying. I just checked out the link and subscribed👍

[@91364Steve]

This tutorial is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will have to watch it a number of times to really absorb it into my workflow but in the end it's going to take me to the next level.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks Steven!

[@tivolara7056]

Great stuff! I would also be interesting in seeing the bathroom edit.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Cool Tivo. Cheers for the vote on that. If I get more votes on that I'll certainly do a follow up featuring the bathroom.

[@aleksandarmilic2610]

Made Sense. Bathroom. Thanks for great tutorial!!!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@silasleger]

Killer! Made sense - aloha from hawaii

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Aloha!!! And Kia Ora from New Zealand!

[@mitmistry1143]

made sense

[@kevinl1492]

I don't use photoshop. I think it is excessively complex and has become a bigger priority for some photographers than actual shooting. So often, Photoshop skills seem to overshadow photographic skills. And then I watched this. It is so well explained, this Photoshop non-believer can see how great a tool it can be. Of course, architectural photography, especially interiors, is extremely challenging and it does require you to step up your game, which is why I watched this in the first place. Great job. Thank you

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Cheers Kevin. That comment means a lot!

[@noursabbagh1873]

thank you for the amazing explanation .bath room please.

[@luisdiegoaguilar9755]

Great video! Love your content! Super helpful! Would love to see a side by side comparison with an automated HDR image done either in Lightroom or Aurora HDR to see the difference.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Hi Luis, Please subscribe to my other channel dedicated to architecture photography for more content on this topic :) bit.ly/ATArchitecture Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@BrianEason_DoingitwithGod]

Thank You

[@AnthonyTurnham]

You're welcome mate. Cheers for watching and commenting.

[@BrianEason_DoingitwithGod]

Since watching your video I’ve literally been been practicing this method with a shoot I had today, I could still getting the hang of it but I respect and thank you for sharing

[@codemindful8897]

Very informative and clear video, I'm fairly familiar with luminosity masks now but watching your process was super usseful thanks The only question I have left, is whether or not you ever use the levels control on your luminosity mask to tweak them further during your edit process, eg. to narrow the range of the selection. Thanks!

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Hi. Great question. Yes. Absolutely I'll often refine my mask. I usually do this either by tweaking the curves (but levels would achieve the same thing, I just prefer using curves), or I'll run the Apply Image command a second or even third time to get more contrast in the mask.

[@elit7538]

This is tutorial is awesome and really helpful! Love it! What if the room is dim and don't get enough ambient light, will this method be sufficient or will I need to use an umbrella?

[@AnthonyTurnham]

Just set your base exposure so the dim room is bright enough and then use this technique. Once you master it you can merge very difficult, high contrast scenes quite easily.