The Fastest Flambient, for Real Estate Photography

In this episode I show fast techniques to reduce flambient blending time to nearly nothing. Here are the links mentioned in the video:
Online courses to learn real estate photography:
LearnRE.Nathan...
​My real estate photography series:
amzn.to/3KgFNQS
Photography for Real Estate Interiors:
amzn.to/3MvuYN4
Mastering Flambient Photography:
amzn.to/3Trc9g3
Learn interior photography:
ProInteriors.n...
​Video on flambient basics:
• One Light, High-End, R...
Video on auto color correction​ using Curves:
• Fast Fix for Color Cast
Mastering Color in Photography:
amzn.to/3MeostX
Video on flambient and color:
• How Flambient and Lumi...

[@bl4841]

for 80% of my work, I use the 50/50 method which I learned from this channel. I really appreciate it, and have learned a ton. The realtors always seem happy with the results and the editing time is around 30 minutes

[@michaelcoopermedia3643]

I’m gonna try this on my next one. Didn’t even know it existed

[@appcoop]

Been watching you for a few years. You really are one of the best on KZbin for Real Estate photography

[@alexandredesmarteau]

*****Update: I found the answer at the end of the new book Mastering Flambient Photography. Great book, thanks a lot!! ***** Hi Nathan! Do you have any tip to recover footage where I get a "ghosting" effect from what I suspect to be camera movement between my shots? I see that you don't even auto-align your layers in PS and you don't get any of that. Even though I'm careful to not move my camera too much when I change my setting between my ambient and flashed shots, I don't get consistent results and I don't want this to happen once I'll get clients. As I saw in the video "Tips for Fast Interior Photography", you mentioned to get a sturdy tripod with a good head and I have that, so I don’t suspect this to be the problem. Thanks for everything!

[@micknificent]

Nathan, hands down you’re the man when I comes to real estate photography. I love your channel and I have learned a lot though here. I have been procrastinating on ordering your books. Today is the day I finally made my purchase. Thank you!

[@edebussc]

Thanks again Nathan! I read your first book and my photos instantly improved. That being said, I've only shot a total of two houses! I pleased my realtor friend though and hoping to get out and use this technique some more soon.

[@Mountain_Spirit]

Do you sell the action?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

It's easy enough to make yourself, and I have step-by-step instructions in Mastering Flambient, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3JxfJDI

[@WALKITOFFDavidSmith]

You have the best instructional videos for RE. Thank you again for sharing your wisdom Nathan!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

My pleasure!

[@aaron872]

Thank you for your extensive material on this method. I've been doing something similar for a few years (32bit HDR, strobe color, and multiple strobe layers blended in lighten mode and manually brushed every time) and it's OCD at best. This (along with your book on flambient) gives me hope to jump back off the HDR boat I panic lept into and provide actual results within the typical 24h turnaround.

[@jarids.johnson4615]

Awesome. Thanks. Now I'll go back and re-so some of my photos trying this process.

[@daltonrandall4348]

Do you have a video or guide discussing optimal flash positions? All of the Photoshop work makes perfect sense to me, but it's moot if the flashes aren't positioned properly to begin with. Would love to know the thought process behind where to put them, and how many/how few are desired for particular rooms. Thanks so much.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Here ya go: amzn.to/3LMzQ2b

[@efraingarcia9832]

You’re a photoshop wizard man. Thank you for making these videos!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Glad you like them!

[@yesayasatria3478]

Thank you, this really help me for editing real estate photography.

[@eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeo]

Hi Nathan. Thanks a ton for your help. I just did some real estate photos for the first time in a very long time and the pictures turned out great with this technique. Truly appreciated.

[@Media-oq9ux]

Thumbs up before they start for your videos. Very excited for the next 10 min lesson. I have been using this from your prior video. It's awesome.

[@Johnd3s]

Thank you, some really great tips.

[@jtinker]

Thanks Nathan! Do you prefer this 50/50 method or the Channel + RGB + Invert, etc method that you show in another video (Fast Flambient, 2017)? Both can be set up with a one-click action, just wondering which you think produces a better photo.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're welcome! More often these days I tend to use the 50-50, it seems to cover quite a bit of the flambient work.

[@plimm1]

Is there a way to automate actions so you can batch this?

[@hermanlopez2945]

Thank you Mr Cool for all your expertise

[@bluhkchaplin9989]

i've seen lots of your videos, great tools and knowledge, thanks! But... im amazed about how fast your Pc is, would you share the model / set up? Thks!

[@jazzybiscayne]

I have known that using flash for real estate is how professionals make really clean photos, but I have until now leaned towards hdr blending to avoid making photos in photoshop and increase editing speed by using lightroom over photoshop. How is using photoshop to edit faster than using lightroom? I almost assume that i am over delivering and over editing photos and perhaps since you have far more expereience on what angle works best for each room, you are only providing one high quality photo for each room, as opposed to what im doing, which is providing a stacked, edited hdr photo where i am taking a photo while standing in each corner of each room. I think i am probably making more work for myself and providing a less valuable image.

[@alansarpy]

great video ! Love the opacity short cut

[@inoutphoto]

Thank you ! :)

[@belowaverage7539]

Man really nice stuff

[@anthonyescribens]

Thanks Nathan. Getting the right flash shots the first time is crucial to cutting down on shooting and editing time. I find it nearly impossible to only take 1 or 2 flash shots in some spaces, especially with a ceiling fan and tons of furniture, the shadows from the flash can backfire! In a room as presented in your second example, I would normally take a single ambient plus 4 to 5 flash shots (including the window pull), my editing time is about 3 to 5 minutes per photos in LR/PS. From your experience, is this normal?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're welcome. This video should shed some light on your issue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKeznKudpLp1fJI

[@clarkdigitalmedia8272]

You saved my life!!!!

[@hermann007u8]

Great technique Nathan :)

[@noellucas60]

I watch all your videos, but it's more easy with traduction available.

[@zenseekerEric]

That was extremely helpful. Thanks, Nathan! I just recently bought your entire book series for Kindle, and I go back and forth between reading the books and watching your videos.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're very welcome, and glad you like the books!

[@zenseekerEric]

@@NathanCoolPhoto Good morning, Nathan! I was wondering if in any of your KZbin episodes or books have a download link to collections of RAW photos (both ambient and flashed) that I could use to try my hand at these flambient editing techniques. I'm currently in the process of trading in some of my older cameras and lenses towards a new kit that is more oriented towards RE photography/video, so at the moment I am unable to acquire the photos that I need to practice what I've been learning in your book series. Thanks in advance!

[@gonzalogomez]

I d love to have this options kind of automatized and inside the Lightroom suite.

[@benharrisonphotography]

Your videos are amazing. Just saying 😎

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Glad you like them!

[@northtosouthmedia]

Always awesome!

[@paulfutz1511]

Hey Nathan how do you feel about a fj400 as primary flash. It doesn't have the 360 dome the 200 has but it's strong enough for exterior lighting also.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Light is light, but the ecosystem is what matters so you can use one commander/trigger in your hotshoe to control all of your flashes. I prefer and recommend the Godox line, more of why and what in amzn.to/42ltLzr

[@phototec]

Nathan, great video, however in several videos to refer to using ACTIONS, but you don't explain how to get them? Thanks

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thanks, but you haven't looked hard enough. I cover actions in numerous videos and also in expertediting.nathancool.com and amzn.to/45k5Ulv BTW: there is a search feature on each YT channel to find content related to what you're looking for ;)

[@alexanderbarkoff3894]

That masking brush in Raw was mind blowing.

[@stephent8220]

Nathan, I love watching your videos and I am experimenting using your techniques and just did a flambient shoot which in camera things looked great. I'm doing the edits now and on the very first step of changing ambient shot to luminosity mode and then opacity to 50% my image is now blurry and looks like camera shake or something. Which is weird because I didn’t touch the camera after it was in position. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're likely misaligning your layers, which is common. I show how to avoid it, fix it, and test for it in my Pro Interiors course, here's a link to my courses and discount bundles if you'd like to check that out: LearnRE.NathanCool.com

[@JonathanMillsjthemills]

I have a potentially stupid question, but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere. How do you trigger the camera to snap a photo wirelessly? I have an AD200pro flash and the Godox Xpro trigger. Is it possible for me to use the flash to trigger the camera to snap a photo with just those 2 pieces?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Those are some of the basics covered in my interiors book, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3YPnV86

[@Gt_Rickshow]

I do HDR but now want to try this flambient technique. Can someone actually explained to me what an ambient shot is? Is it a normal exposure shot? Every video I've watch just mentions it before blending with flash shot but no explanation of what it is. T.I.A. Thanks for videos super informative 👌🏻

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Hi Rick, to understand flambient from top to bottom, I'd suggest downloading my ebook on interior photography, which has step-by-step instructions and a whole lot more. Here's a link if you want to check that out: amzn.to/3xeu8NM

[@wayneandchristinefloydfloy9317]

I don’t have a flash and have never used one. What kind would you recommend? I’ve read about the Godox which would work with my Sony.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

A flash "recommendation" is barely scratching the surface of a much bigger issue: how to use flash with ambient and other factors to produce interior real estate photos. I'd recommend downloading my ebook on interior real estate photography which delves deeper into those topics, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3uiVjpd

[@buyinginbergen]

Nathan, your link above for "E-book on interior real estate photography" isn't working.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Sorry about that, here you go, and thanks for the heads-up: amzn.to/3MvuYN4

[@dezigebel.realestate]

Wow.... I sure wish we were neighbor's :) I am a hands on learner. I can't wait to use your techniques.. Do you have your actions sharable that you use?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

I include actions that you can make in LR in my books for real estate photography, here's a link to the series if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3sHdBAX

[@lapatty5440]

Why when I change the opacity it turned into a mesh view? I don't know what I'm doing wrong. ☹

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Sounds like you likely aren't covering some of the basics, like layer order and blending modes. I'd recommend downloading this ebook amzn.to/3zAmGPe that will step you through the entire process, and provide other important information for photographing interiors for flambient.

[@perrycooper9577]

On your flash shot from camera Im not seeing any shadows from ceiling fan or other produced shadows so then are you in essence using fill flash?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Nope, just using the techniques I show in my lighting guide, here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3QElQrk

[@fontanka24]

This is very interesting method! I've learned the manual flambient from you before, where I can use brush to mask all unnecessary things like shadows from the ceiling fan for instance. Is it still applicable for the rapid? I tried doing a mask on ambient layer in luminocity mode and then going over the shadows with a brush, and it doesn't work. Am I missing something?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

If it's not working, then yes, you are missing something :) One of two things I can suggest: first, you can download my e-book on interiors with step by step instructions at amzn.to/3J1xgB7 The second option is to schedule a private Zoom session with me to review what you're doing. If you get to that point you can email me for pricing and availability. I think the e-book though will cover what you need.

[@DebbieG225]

Hi do you have videos on shooting huge buildings exterior? Tips

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

This might help amzn.to/3CyNSiL But if the building is VERY large, you might want to consider a drone.

[@TomaszTwojFotograf]

Great resume of the technique! - Which ebook is with the step by step instruction for actions and flambient?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thanks! I believe this is what you're looking for: amzn.to/3tq6oEn

[@londocur]

Hi Natan. I would like to ask you if a 14mm lens mounted on a canon 6d would work for me. I'm reading your 360 book for real estate

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Hi Jaime, I cover those topics in my interiors book, here's a link to that if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3uaUwHM

[@londocur]

@@NathanCoolPhoto Thank you very much for your answer, I'll check it.

[@sylarcheung6086]

Great tutorial . Could you please talk about that gear head on the desk? Thanks

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thanks! Here's my video on that geared head: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHrIinuaqbJ6jdU

[@craigrinzema5359]

What are you using to get a wide even spread with the flash at the shoot…

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Depends on the situation, this might help: amzn.to/3SkFkRD

[@seasideshutterworx]

Hi Nathan. Thank you for the video. If I've shot my images in raw do I apply my colour preset before going to Photoshop?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're welcome! I'd suggest downloading my e-book on interior real estate photography, which covers the entire workflow, and more. Here's the link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3C1g7Fd

[@seasideshutterworx]

@@NathanCoolPhoto Thank you Nathan

[@MK-hz2bn]

Thanks!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thank you so much!

[@MK-hz2bn]

@@NathanCoolPhoto thank you for all the info you freely share!

[@digitaldreamsmedia-ca]

did you buy a series of presets for lightroom by chance?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

I've never bought presets or actions for REP or any other work I've done. Presets are so easy to make yourself, and I have them scattered through my REP series.

[@digitaldreamsmedia-ca]

@@NathanCoolPhoto I appreciate the input! Just finished reading your light guide book yesterday! Ordering the interior one next.

[@mcculloughimagery4952]

Is your ebooks compatible with android?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Yes. All of my ebooks can be read using either the free Kindle app or using a web browser using the free Kindle Cloud Reader at read.amazon.com

[@mcculloughimagery4952]

@@NathanCoolPhoto Thank You for your responding so quickly. You have any suggestions to which book or books I should purchase of yours, I edit flambiant for the inside and one shot images with a sky pull outside even on drone also. What book or books would help with speed, efficiency and overall workflow?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

I'd recommend starting with interiors (book #1) and see how it goes from there, here's a link to the series: amzn.to/3wRf1tz

[@mcculloughimagery4952]

@@NathanCoolPhoto cool i ended up buying all 8 but i will start with number 1 what would you suggest after than i noticed you just them listed 1 thru 8

[@kristian1977]

I noticed in all your videos that you bounce light off of white ceilings, how do you work with a dark or painted ceiling? Would you use an Light stand and umbrella to create the reflection?

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You haven't watched "all" of my videos :) I show a number of examples in other videos, and also in my lighting guide on how to light rooms with wood ceilings, dark ceilings, and more...here's a link if you'd like to check that out: amzn.to/3HyZ7ak

[@kristian1977]

@@NathanCoolPhoto Thanks! after I sent this I found one of those "other" videos highlighting all that you mentioned and answered my question. Keep them vids coming!!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Great! To take this a step further you can download my e-books on real estate photography, here's a link to the series if you'd like to check them out: amzn.to/3C8PFJU