What I look for in my ambient image when making composite real estate photos.

I often get asked what I am looking for in my Ambient Image when doing Flambient / Flash Ambient Blend. This process I find to be the best of all worlds as it’s fast and easy once you get the hang of it.
In this video I will show you what I am looking for and how I edit the Flash and Ambient exposures in Photoshop.
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[@billyhigginbotham9818]

Natural shadows, or shadows that make sense... That clicked on how visualize what the end product should look like. Thanks once again Rich!!!

[@RichBaum]

Billy, I’m so happy I could help you and I’m really happy that you get what I’m putting down

[@GeraldBertramPhotography]

Just wanted to send a big thank you your way, Rich. It's probably been at least 5 years or more since I first learned this technique from watching some of your videos. Completely changed the way I shoot real estate and my business growth really took off once I started doing it. I have no doubt this is the case with many other shooters in our field. I owe a lot to you my friend!

[@coolcrowmusic]

I'll be 76 years old in 2 weeks and I've been studying photography for the past year and a half since being laid off from my job as an event planner. I've already been paid for my Pet photography, Newborn and Maternity photography. But recently I was hired by an interior designer to shoot at big houses near Boston. i studied for 2 weeks and then went out on the photo shoots. I did fairly well with Bracketing and Merging with HDR in Photoshop. But still had to color correct too much and it drove me crazy. I see a huge value in using Flambient photography. So, I'm watching everything you do in your videos, Rich. Thank you very much. I love the way you talk and not whip too fast through everything. I'm proficient in Photoshop but will dive into Lightroom.

[@RichBaum]

Paula, your comment has made my day. Thanks you for such kind words.

[@roderickmclean9927]

Great vid as usual from you Sir. Thank you.

[@RichBaum]

Thank you sir

[@kristimcmurry]

So helpful! Thanks so much!

[@RichBaum]

It’s my pleasure, happy to help

[@paulaquipel7472]

Thanks Rich!!!

[@RichBaum]

Any time!

[@N837]

Thank you!! You are inspiring.

[@RichBaum]

So happy I can help Nate

[@jackiebuys3178]

my ambients are a hot mess lately. thanks for the simple reminders.

[@RichBaum]

So happy this video helped.

[@RichBaum]

It’s really so easy. Give me a call and we can talk about your process

[@marcvloeberghs881]

Hi thanks Rich, all to glad to have you back on your channel. Shortly after your break in Mexico, you mentioned repeating yourself, but each time you repeat yourself I get away with something extra I can apply or pay attention to in order to keep my clients satisfied and not intended to seek elsewhere for satisfaction. I am looking forward to your future broadcasts, so stay safe and healthy you and your family.

[@rj934]

Good video. I've been doing flambient for about three years and this helps me visualize what you are looking for in your ambient shots. My high end and multiple listing clients really like the more natural photos. Thanks!

[@RichBaum]

Thank you for your reply I hope that this helped you but it appears it did and if you need anymore help let me know

[@bobortiz]

Thank you Rich your the Best.

[@huwevans4452]

Another great tutorial Rich - thank you

[@RichBaum]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for your time

[@kirtg1]

thanks Rich

[@neilfraseruk]

Great video, thanks.

[@RichBaum]

You are very welcome

[@TommyBoy3D]

Rich just listened to the latest pod cast. Just wanted to let you know that “ key words” are still here for you tube videos. It’s under “more options”. Take care.

[@RichBaum]

Thanks there TB

[@blackwell_randy]

Great to see a new video on here Rich! Huge takeaway for me was the reminder to change the ISO when necessary. Too many times I get set on 'iso 400 / f7.1' and flying through a house. Sometimes when the ambient is so strong, dropping the iso with the Flash helps tremendously, especially with the max sync of 1/160. Just needed the reminder. Cheers!

[@RichBaum]

I’m so happy you got the point of this video and I’m happy I could help if you need any more assistance let me know

[@stefanbernhard2710]

Hi Rich. Great video. 👌 do you apply precomposit adjustments to flash layers as well before sending to PS? Thanks for your awesome content. Just getting started with flash ambient. 😀

[@MrBigsmile66]

I do like your more simplistic approaches, to the more local colour casts or exposure by simple brush masking, etc. I find too many times other techniques by other photographers are way over complicating their images with so many adjustment layers to fix a small colour or exposure issues. And, the whole luminosity mode can add and do some weird looks to the image, although there are times and places it works well, but as you say, a good ambient shot in itself can do the heavy lifting.

[@garyjones101]

I've watched a lot of your videos and they are a great help! I have a question about the ambient shots. When looking for a good overall exposure for a room, what do you do about blown out lights that are on? The windows will be 10x brighter and can be handled with their own shot, but light bulbs vex me in the process of getting a balanced ambient. It's like expose for the bulbs and the room gets darker, and expose for the room and the bulbs blow out. Trying to find my happy place. Thanks!

[@RichBaum]

Blown out lights aren’t even a problem because we’re not using that part of the ambient image, were using the primary exposure from the flash frame

[@sophiemiller6355]

Keep trying to do a flash/ambient blend edit. When I paint in my ambient layer (via layer makes hide) over the flashy looking areas that are white or light colours- the result just looks grey and unappealing. Only using 1% flow on brush and ambient layer set to luminosity. It does make it look less “flashy” but results in unappealing. Any advice as to why/what time do?

[@RichBaum]

I can suggest and offer one on one coaching where we can work on this and I’m confident you will “Get It” really quickly I’m one session. If your interested just send me an e mail to [e-mail]

[@blackheartusa]

Time to put the Baum on 😃

[@RichBaum]

Happy to help

[@TommyBoy3D]

I see how you solved the problem (in the first shot) of exposing for the windows in the "flash shot" and not going above sync speed. You obtained this by lowering the ISO for the flash shot. Correct? If you would had left the ISO the same as the ambient your shutter speed would have exceeded 160.

[@RichBaum]

Exactly Tommy Boy! Just one of the many tricks we need to know.

[@larryisaacs5980]

Hi Rich: May want to check your attached coaching link. I clicked on it but it can not find that site.

[@RichBaum]

I fixed it, thank you so much for checking and letting me know

[@josegarcia94512]

Hello sir, greeting from Argentina. You really do amazing jobs! First, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. I have a question: do you think I can work properly with my Nikon D5600 (18-55mm and 70-300mm kit lens)? Thanks in advanced!

[@RichBaum]

The camera is ok but you need a wider lens for your crop sensor. I’d suggest a Nikon 12-24mm as that is equal to 18-36mm on a full frame. In my opinion you need at least 18mm wide. Or Nikon makes a 10-24mm

[@blackwell_randy]

To add to what Rich said, I started with the Nikon D3200 and 10-24. Amazing lens and you'll do great with it on your body. I still use that lens for my exteriors actually (now on a D7200).

[@josegarcia94512]

Thanks to both. I'll try to get one of those lenses you recommend.

[@rhw2005]

Hi Rich, why not change the ambient layer to luminosity mode?

[@gabe4214]

Hey Rich, are you shooting in JPG or converting after upload? Thanks

[@RichBaum]

Oh my gosh I always only shoot in raw for this type of photography and I suggest you do the same, of course I export in JPEG but I always shoot in raw

[@gabe4214]

@@RichBaum thought so, but i had to ask. Do you convert to jpeg to improve efficiency? Dont you need the raw information during post? Thanks

[@BillMongo]

Rich, youre stuck in the past. Just bracket 5 one stop apart and send to India or VIetnam for $0.35 per finished image. Blows away your finished product and much less work. Most homes cost less than $10. I stopped editing real estate years ago. Add ing a little more to this post... Saves a ton of time shooting too as you dont need any off camera flash. I fly through the shoot and dont mess with the edit. Quick turnaround too.

[@RichBaum]

I’m happy that works for you

[@jimbolen6364]

Please. That stuff doesn't come close to this technique. I have had numerous clients come to me because they hate that flat stuff.

[@BillMongo]

@@jimbolen6364 Please. Depends on the editor and the instruction given. And with a good well lit base you can composite more layers with added light for even more depth. The possibilities are endless with a good base image and often that is the heavy lifting or at least time consuming.

[@mikegustafson6679]

unkay.

[@RichBaum]

What does unkay mean?

[@mikegustafson6679]

​@@RichBaum Like "Okay" but "Unkay", keep up the great vids. (and maybe stop saying "unkay" all the time.) Okay?