Should You Use a Circular Polarizer Filter for Real Estate Photography?

[@JerryC25]

Yes. Is the answer.

[@PleasantsProductions]

I've been wondering this and did a bunch of research never found anything. Now I find this video! Thank you!

[@royahawke]

I always use a Circular Polarizer, combined with a Neutral Density. It has amazed me how much effectively the polarizer removes the vast majority of reflections on surfaces like wood, tile, marble, etc. I personally love the look better when I don't have a ton of distracting lights on the floor, especially when delivering bright and contrasty photos to my clients!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Definitely!

[@shenae9080]

I am totally going to join your patron! You've been so helpful and your videos are the best.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Shenae thanks so much! Really appreciate that 😊

[@Wyoutside]

👍🏻 thanks Mike. Really enjoy your videos. Great pace and length!

[@skymakai]

Shout out to Breakthrough Photography. Best filters at any price IMO.

[@D29.H45]

cpl is also great if you're shooting from behind glass (inside car or from a window)

[@MotoMatt418]

I’ve bumped into a little issues with the windows when using a CPL. I’m getting this “oil slick” look if the window has tinting on it-which most windows here along the coast in FL do. They call it “turtle tint” for the homes close to the beach. But the effect caught me off guard so I’ve been afraid to use it because it was impossible to fix in post.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Yes, you definitely need to watch out for that! I have to take it off for some homes.

[@dj_DERANGED]

Thank you for this video! I just received my Zeiss POL filter for my Sony a6400,,, after taking some shots around my house... WOW!!! This is a game changer, I can't wait to use this on my next RE Shoot. This thing is also great to take out reflections from TVs. Excellent recommendation!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

It really is! Until you use it yourself you can’t really appreciate the difference it makes haha

[@ahmedbelkhayat8045]

hello i have a 12-24mm gmaster f4 how i can find a filter for

[@RoseofSharon74]

Very interesting information. Thank you so much Sir

[@campfiresolutions]

Another awesome video Mike. Thanks for some of these in depth tips on specific aspects of real estate photography. These are the 'little' things that help elevate our whole game. On a side note: Could you do a video on pricing or pricing structure? I know it varies widely depending on where people live and skill level but, I've been trying to find something more to do with charging by the hour vs by the day vs by the job. Or should you offer combination packages (photos, videos, drone photos, drone videos, video intros by the agent). I'm feeling like it's one of those things where it's easy once you've been doing it but, since I haven't had multiple jobs for this, it's hard to see how to price this work out to prospective realtors. Thanks again.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Campfire Solutions thanks! Yes, I’ve been getting a lot of requests regarding pricing. I will definitely do a video on that. Appreciate the suggestion!

[@coryjernigan1800]

What do you recommend a circular?Polarizer lens or just using a flash to cancel out that light with your own

[@subratm72]

HI Need some suggestions. i use 5 bracketed photos and do a HDR merge . i struggle with reflection issues from the hardwood floor . do you think using a CPL filter is going to help with the HDR ? SM

[@Hhart94]

Hey! Great video - do you still implement the CPL in your workflow? If so, is it mainly for HDR or do you use flash with the CPL as well? I tried using flash with a CPL once, but I had to crank my ad 200 up to full power even for medium size rooms to offset the loss of stops of light. Was debating if the CPL really is a game changer and if I need to upgrade to an ad600. Thanks!

[@tonypaca3015]

good one. i wonder what happens with that flash

[@K9malinois_dog_love]

Hoya dh3 vs the Zeiss which would you recommend. I have one lens that when shooting it will reflect in the eye of the subject a purple right in the corner of the eye where the sun bounces of directly, it’s very annoying because it completely trashed my photos. I know it’s lens defect but it only happens when the sun pops out on the eye reflection. Thank you hopefully I’ll hear back from you. ❤

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I have not used the Hoya so unfortunately can’t really comment on that. The zeiss has been great though. Highly recommend!

[@K9malinois_dog_love]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography 🙏

[@t.k.derico]

How do you remove light flares from the lights themselves I always have light glares

[@hueandsteve1989]

Very helpful, as always. Thank you.

[@MBDronePhoto]

Very helpful video. To the point and with great tips. I don't think photographers appreciate the value of filters or anticipate the extra cost for quality.

[@JNeuel]

If I am shooting HDR @ 5 brackets with two stops in between. Would I add a stop or remove one? I bought a filter and am super excited to use it. Thanks for the video!!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Nope! I still shoot 5 stops. The filter doesn’t effect the dynamic range, it just reduces glare.

[@hridaimanav3620]

Nice Video my friend...I'm new to Real Estate Video shoots..Bought Sony ZV-E10 and mounted Sony 11mm f1.8 Lens...Kindly suggest some best option ND or Polarizes if required...

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Hi, I would recommend the one that’s in the description of this video. Just get the appropriate thread size for your particular lens.

[@dzikiefretki]

Great content. Leaving a comment to help the channel, I appreciate it.

[@elliottmccrackenrealestate2907]

Thanks for Directing me to this video. I can definely see why you use a polorizer filter for inside RE photography. Are you also using this for your exteriors as well? Or would you us a ND filter there? Thank you again for all the great vids and info! Always appreciated!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I keep the polarizer on all the time. It helps outside as well.

[@davidtedoni3647]

Nice video, thanks. After watching it I looked them up and found this one. (Hoya 77mm HRT Circular Polarizer Glass Filter). Do you know what the HRT stands for?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Hmm.. I do not know what that stands for

[@karengraphix]

Great content! I have one question are you removing the filter for the flash shots? i mean for the flambient. Thank you .

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Thanks! I leave it on for everything these days. Hasn’t come off my lens in months haha

[@karengraphix]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography Thank you for the fast reply.

[@kyleschwartz.]

Going to buy one now

[@jeremytannguyen4928]

Hi Mike, Do you need to use VND filter much in your videography setup? Thanks

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I don’t ever use one for this type of work. Most of it is indoors so no need. Also, shooting at a higher frame rate means higher shutter speed which also diminishes the need even outdoors.

[@harrisonzahn5715]

Thanks for this vid, Mark. Sounds like you had limited issue with vignetting or anything of that nature at 16mm, is that right? I have a Laowa 15mm id like a CPL for but have seen many varying opinions on cpls at such wide focal lengths.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

No problem with vignetting with the CPL I recommend in the video. At least not for me and my setup. Couldn’t imagine it would be any different for you. It’s a great CPL.

[@criticaltinker]

Are you also using a CPL when shooting with flash?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Vincent Munoz yes, I have been using it with flash as well

[@treetea6187]

Can you use this with hdr

[@grantdecker1190]

b+w cpl on 16-35 2.8 gm

[@johnliquori]

Hey Mike, I’m thinking about getting the Polarpro circular polarizer. Have you used this one before or any reason you chose Ziess over it?

[@behramcooper3691]

You make a good point.

[@andrewkunyev5243]

Hi Mike. Great video. Glad I found your channel. May I ask if this CPL cause any vignetting / banding on the images? I was under opinion that CPLs don't work on wide lenses. I use Nikon z 14-30. Thanks.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I have no issues with it (I’m using a 16-35) someone has reported slight vingnetting at 14mm to me with this particular filter. No banding of any kind though.

[@andrewkunyev5243]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography Thank you. It seems there is no way to add a lens hood. How did you solve this problem, especially shooting outside?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

@@andrewkunyev5243 I don’t notice much of a difference to be honest. Lens hood doesn’t do much. If I have some glare I just simply use my hand.

[@SRF-vm3fy]

the slimmer polarized filter you get the less vigneting.

[@1320lennman]

Def going to try this. I’ve always wondered about reflections off windows during window pulls. Does it diminish them too?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

It can help diminish reflections off glass for sure!

[@MediaByMatias]

Hey do you have a video on how shoot dark rooms ? like how to use the flash if needed in the room work with dark rooms

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Matias Falckenheiner not yet! Definitely have videos about flash coming soon though!

[@MediaByMatias]

Inside Real Estate Photography Excited to see love the channel helps a lot !

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Matias Falckenheiner thanks!

[@MediaByMatias]

Hey do you recommend Ambient or HDR ? or does it depend on the house? i’m shooting houses in the 200-400 range and these houses are dark and sometimes I have problems with the rooms. Would you recommend me moving towards ambient versus HDR ?

[@MediaByMatias]

Meant Flambient sorry

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Honestly either way will do the job. I would say go try both and see what you like better!

[@MediaByMatias]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography Very true I haven’t tried flambient so i’ll look into it thanks !

[@lifeofdang92]

I’m bought the sigma 14-24 and it can not use cpl, nisi is way too expensive. Are you tecommend to sell it & get the 16-35 gm ? Is it worth to lost 2mm but can use filter ? I’m learning & about get into real estate photo + video

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I don’t know if I would go to the lengths of selling your lens just so you can use the filter. Especially if you are happy with your lens. The CPL is a great tool however I wouldn’t consider it absolutely essential.

[@iKeto_gal]

Will it help a shiny forehead or bald head? I do outdoor events

[@wendystumbaugh695]

I also want to know!

[@AdamAdam-ut7dn]

Thanks for the information

[@x_jaydn]

I assume CPLs only work at the front of the lens element, but, to be comprehensive, do back-of-lens CPLs work for removing glare/reflections too? I'm thinking of whether or not dropping a ringless CPL at the back of my Samyand/Rokinon 12mm F2.8 Fisheye would actually have any affect besides slightly reducing the stops of light. I assume that it wouldn't though, and my thinking is that most of the rays of light have already been directed perpendicular to the sensor when passing through all the glass elements. Any thoughts?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I don’t have any experience with that type of CPL but I agree that I don’t think it would be as effective.

[@x_jaydn]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography Yeah, I guessed as much, thanks anyway! ~

[@aaronsilver9765]

i have been tossing this back and for for exterior shots. it never occured to me to use it for interiors

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Aaron Silver i like it best for the interior stuff! Definitely a significant improvement on a lot of images.

[@jamesruse9708]

Mike, what a great idea. Never even considered a polarizer. I will now. I use Breakthrough filters. Thanks. Off subject: You have said interior video is supposed to be a teaser. Does that mean you don’t shoot every single room? I am considering this question lately. I would like to maybe do more clips, more B-roll in more interesting areas, but still keep the final video to around 2.5 minutes. I’m thinking of leaving out some of the rooms. Your thoughts?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

James Ruse I usually do shoot almost every room but not always. It really depends on the house. A big house with a million rooms it’s probably not necessary.

[@jamesruse9708]

Inside Real Estate Photography I appreciate the input. Thanks.

[@alanabley525]

Great tip

[@sweet_it_is]

i use GOBE!

[@criticaltinker]

i have the same zeiss CPL.

[@MagicBiscuitShow]

Yupper, Mr. Mike. Chuck here again. Do you think that using, say a 82 mm thread size polarizer used for a particular lens, with step down rings for adapting to, say a 52mm thread size for a particular lens, would work well (from an optics point of view, no pun intended)? Thanks : +)

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I have no personal experience using step down rings however I would think that it would be fine. The important thing would be that the filter is good quality.

[@CSGPhotos]

Will the filter cause any moire when shooting HDR?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I haven't experienced myself as of yet

[@yogeshmahamuni]

Did CPL filter change the actual colors?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Yogesh Mahamuni with this filter I’m using I haven’t had any problems with color shifts. That can be a problem with a CPL that’s not very good.

[@yogeshmahamuni]

Inside Real Estate Photography does ND filters are useful for real estate photography?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Yogesh Mahamuni for video they could be useful but not really for real estate photography

[@JD-lb8np]

Right. My cpl has basically become a lens cover for me lol

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

haha likewise! Never comes off

[@bradleymvranish5840]

Another amazing video Mike! You’re a legend, can’t wait to see this channel blow up. I feel as if this can improve image quality without using flambient. Do you find yourself using a polarizer and bracketing more often than shooting flambient?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Thanks! I do bracket more often than using flambient

[@bridgetmay5889]

I got a cheap Japanese one and I’m totally happy with it aniway I don’t think Japanese would sell crap.

[@YHWHsCrusader]

Great video! Did you say 1,000 shoots per year?!? Wow!! I have been offering great customer service and superior photography and video for the last four years and get excellent reviews but only do about 300 shoots a year. What kind of marketing brought you so many customers?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Thanks! Yeah I did close to 1100 last year total. I really haven’t done any marketing, just word of mouth really. I do supplement and shoot for my friends company as well so that rounds out my schedule when I have openings. He hasn’t done any marketing either and his company has blossomed as well. Might have something to do with the area we are in.

[@YHWHsCrusader]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography Some partnerships would definitely help on my end. I’m in Houston and there are a lot of competitors. Some are good but many are not. Word of mouth has been where I get most of my customers as well. Wishing you continued success!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

@@YHWHsCrusader thanks mike! Same to you as well!

[@MustangGT715]

Don't think I can add one to my Sigma 14-24 lens. 😔

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Vinny S. Costa yeah unfortunately not with that lens 😐 or the Sony 12-24’s either. That’s one of the unfortunate downsides of the those ultra wide lenses.

[@helloholmes]

Hey Vinny! Good news, you actually can use a circular polarizer with your Sigma. I shoot with the Sigma 14-24 on all my RE shoots and use a circular polarizer on every shoot. It’s the Nisi S5 system and is really high quality. It is fairly larger compared to a traditional screw on polarizer but does the job VERY well! I highly recommend it if you’re considering a CP. I purchased mine on B&H. :)

[@helloholmes]

Here’s the direct B&H link; www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1536047-REG/S5_150mm_Filter_Holder_Kit_with_Circular

[@MustangGT715]

@@helloholmes Thanks! $339 is not cheap but at least it can be done!

[@mangomariel]

*cries in 12-24 mm*

[@grahamdreyer209]

I like your videos, but for me I think you talk a little fast for me to follow. Just my opinion. but over all good work. Thanks

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Thanks for the feedback!