Category: Real Estate Photo Editing

  • 15 Best Virtual Staging Apps and Software for Real Estate Agents in 2022

    15 Best Virtual Staging Apps and Software for Real Estate Agents in 2022

    There are infinite ways to present rooms, properties, or houses in 2022. Most platforms accommodate various file types, from 3D graphics to virtual tours. With innovative technology at your fingertips, it’s easy to pull off excellent post-production methods even with minimal technical skills.

    Virtual staging is a great way to gain potential real estate buyers because it allows clients to see the bare space without clutter. Real estate listings are very competitive, with most agents using their best photo editing techniques with software or apps. If you want to do staging, you may ask yourself, “What program do virtual stagers use?” This blog post will give you a list of different options available. Luckily, there are several virtual staging options you can choose from.

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    You only need a phone or laptop and creativity to improve your real estate listings. You can highlight important aspects of space and conduct room personalizations since most buyers make their decisions on the spot. For example, some apps allow you to fit particular furniture into a space so that you can show your client how their favorite couch would fit into the living space.

    Virtual Staging Apps

    Recent technological developments have improved how we create, convert and deliver information. Devices have become more compact and accessible, increasing our expectations of speed and reliability. Real estate applications and programs are evolving rapidly, which brings about more marketing potential.

    Real estate agents can use photo editing apps for minor photo adjustments, especially those with creative backgrounds. You can choose reliable virtual home staging software accessible on your phone for more complicated work. Several real estate photo editing companies also offer such services.

    Mobile apps provide cost-effective and quick real estate space improvement options as trends progress. These programs will allow you to showcase your imagination on the go through AR or VR imaging.

    Here are 15 of the best virtual staging software and apps available:

    1. Phixer

    The Phixer app allows you to take real estate photographs from your mobile device and have them edited within 24 hours. You can also manually make adjustments within the app for real-time edits. The mobile app is available for iOS devices, and you can go to their website to have a download link sent to your phone.

    Here are the pricing options for Phixer:

    • Pay as you go for $1 = 1 credit with an 8-hour turnaround time.
    • Standard for $357/month (5% off) from $475/month with 500 credits, 4-hour revision turnaround time, video editing, and unlimited file size.
    • Advanced for $675/month (25% off) from $900/month with 1,000 credits, 2-hour revision turnaround time, video editing, free 18-hour turnaround, priority support, and unlimited file size.
    • Business for $1,913 (25% off) from $2,550 with the same features in Advanced but with 2,000 credits more.

    Outside of the app, Phixer offers services such as photo and video editing, lawn and sky replacement, virtual staging and twilight, decluttering, etc. The company provides a quick turnaround time and has been in the business for over a decade. Phixer has a $30 free editing for new account signups for a limited period.

    2. Homestyler

    The first app on the list, Homestyler, is excellent for simple show and tell with new buyers, and the mobile application enables quick decoration and execution. Homestyler is a free virtual staging app for real estate Android and iOS devices. Although it may seem more like an application for homebuyers rather than realtors or real estate agents, Homestyler allows the client to see the possible furniture placements and designs. The app helps interior designers quickly illustrate their suggestions.

    This virtual staging software primarily focuses on interior decoration using augmented reality (AR) to add three-dimensional pieces of furniture in room images. It’s one of the best virtual staging software in 2021 due to its compatibility with computers and mobile devices; you don’t have to pay for installation.

    3. Housecraft

    The second app on the list, Housecraft, allows you to improve empty spaces on the go for viewings. Housecraft is a free virtual staging app for real estate on iOS or Apple devices. Like Homestyler, Housecraft is an app that uses AR to place fully-rendered 3D furniture pieces in open areas. It’s an app that allows you to stage virtually anywhere in real-time.

    It’s an app primarily for individual customers, but real estate agents may use it for quick illustration during on-site tours and visits. Since people are more likely to purchase something they know would suit their lifestyle and expectations.

    4. iStaging

    The third app on the list, IStaging, allows real estate agents to do virtual staging. IStaging is a virtual staging app that turns compatible smartphones and devices into virtual reality cameras to capture and render 360-degree space tours in real time. You can transform any basic listing into a one-of-a-kind visual experience, and they have many options available on their software and website.

    The app is remarkable in creating virtual tours and staging, and you can choose a plan to suit your needs and demand:

    • $20 monthly for Basic, including one account, one editor, unlimited quantity, unlimited space storage, 2,000-page view a month, public showroom, 20 tag slots, and data dashboard
    • $120 monthly or $1,290 annually for Professional, which has Basic features with added social functions.
    • Enterprise by demand for up to 1000 user accounts, a customized showroom with 10,000 monthly page views, more space and tag slots, avatar mode, and more public spaces.

    The showroom has the following price options:

    • $5/month Pay for Usage digitizes properties through mobile, online editing platforms, capture by smartphone, and Google street view.
    • $55/month for Standard with Pay for Usage features, advance tagging, live video communication tool, and free onboarding session.
    • $95/month for Business includes all Standard plan features, subaccount management, conference tool, narrator function, and advanced analytics.

    You can check the pricing details on their website.

    5. RoOomy

    The fourth app, RoOomy, offers paid professional staging opportunities if you have neither creativity nor time to pull off complicated designs. RoOomy is a virtual staging app for Apple devices with realistic three-dimensional AR and VR images. It’s suitable for creating stunning virtual enhancements to real estate photography. You can offer listing photos, select your design style, and then reinforce virtual staging to your real estate listing.

    The app has three payment Tiers:

    • $415.00 Tier One for four virtual stagings
    • $589.00 Tier Two for six virtual stagings
    • $835.00 Tier Three for nine virtual stagings

    It’s one of the more expensive apps on this list, but it guarantees high-quality images that you can use for real estate listings and other purposes.

    6. Room Planner

    The fifth app, Room Planner, is intended to dress up and modify rooms. Room Planner is a virtual staging software for Android and iOs devices to create stunning visuals for your real estate listing. You can measure your space and scale your design according to plan dimensions. Create beautiful and professional two-dimensional and three-dimensional visualizations for your floor plans to furnish and decorate with world-famous brands.

    Room Planner has the following design rates:

    • $4.99 for Interior Design
    • $14.99 for Architecture
    • $59.99 for Design & Room maker
    • $74.99 for Floor plan creator
    • $119.99 for Room decoration.

    Room Planner has the following subscription prices:

    • $7.99 Basic
    • $19.99 Weekly
    • $59.99 Annually
    • $149.99 Lifetime

    You can select the subscription that works for you. The app has predesigned layouts for different house rooms like living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc., to act as inspiration for your visualization.

    7. Planner 5D

    Planner 5D is a graphics app available for web, iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. You can create 2D and 3D interior designs from scratch by an automated query, uploaded plan, designed template, or hired designer. The app is free for download, but there may be in-app purchases.

    The company’s website offers different interior design activities for both amateur and professional designers. You can upload a floor plan and convert it into a digital project.

    8. MagicPlan

    MagicPlan is an intuitive app that allows you to create floor plans for iOS and Android devices. The application automatically detects elements like doors, floors, windows, and walls so that you can accurately sketch 2D and 3D floor plans similar to virtually-staged images. You won’t need to hire a professional architect for floor plans and measurements.

    MagicPlan offers three pricing plans, and all of them come with two free months for annual payments:

    • $9.99 monthly for Sketch. The plan features unlimited projects, measure and sketch, 2D and 3D sketch exports, and team collaboration.
    • $29.99 monthly for Report. The plan has all Sketch features, sharing photos and 360-degree images, notes, markups, custom forms, objects, and premium integrations.
    • $89.99 monthly for Estimate. The plan has all Report features, including cost estimates, custom price lists, and phone support.

    Although this app is not strictly for virtual staging, MagicPlan deserves a place on the list because it helps real estate agents collaborate with other graphic artists.

    Virtual Staging Software and Website

    Real estate professionals often work with expert photographers and editors to get the best results. What program do virtual stagers use? What happens if you don’t have proficiency in using it? You may want to leave your photos to creative specialists with the right tools and equipment to make your virtual staging come to life. You can drop off your images and pick them up after edits.

    Several companies offer such services with their respective specializations and terms:

    9. PadStyler

    PadStyler is a software that creates virtual staging services. The company maintains an extensive library of 3D products from lights, artworks, rugs, furniture, decors, throws, pillows, and more. PadStyler offers two business days or less turnaround time for standard delivery virtual staging with rush delivery of 6 to 12 hours available. The team delivers most rush orders under one day on weekdays.

    PadStyler offers bulk discounts, rush delivery, live chat support, unlimited free revisions, and a money-back guarantee. Clients can request a refund within a week from the initial order date if the project hasn’t been received and downloaded. They also offer nonrefundable custom 3D home renders. The downside to PadStyler is its extensive 3D catalog; most virtual stage photos look too digital and rendered.

    10. Spotless Agency

    The Spotless Agency is a company that offers a wide range of real estate photo editing and rendering services, from virtual staging to architectural visualization. Its services could help real estate agents envision their ideas or concepts.

    Spotless Agency virtual staging offers three options:

    • $79/image for Light with premium quality, one change, and up to four days turnaround time.
    • $99/image for Standard performed by top stagers with attention to details, premium quality, up to two changes, and up to two days turnaround time.
    • $199/image for Professional performed by top stagers with utmost attention to detail, quality controlled by CEO, premium quality, up to five changes, high priority, and next-day delivery.

    Aside from virtual staging, the company also offers 2D and 3D floor plan services starting at $79/image for 2D and $350/image for 3D.

    11. Sweet Home 3D

    If you’re asking, what program do virtual stagers use? The answer may be Sweet Home 3D, a free, open-source interior design application that was first released in 2006 and is still upgrading in 2022. It’s a classic digital 2D and 3D design program developed by eTeks. Unlike the other apps in the list, it has a retro and traditional web design.

    The application has the following virtual staging features:

    • Construct photorealistic videos and images controlling sunlight and customizing lighting according to the geographic location and timezone.
    • Import room blueprint to draw walls, customize surface textures, and 3D models to finish the catalog.
    • Design free home plans.

    Sweet Home 3D is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, compatible with any WebGL browser, and translated into 29 languages.

    12. Real Tour Vision (RTV)

    Real Tour Vision or RTV creates 2D or 3D virtual home staging or real estate tours and offers a range of full-service photo and video options, including drones. Real estate agents can benefit from their staging services, especially for digital listings.

    Here are the pricing options for virtual staging:

    • $15 for every still photo
    • $25 for a 360-degree photo
    • $10 for every staging revision

    RTV offers item removal, virtual renovation, 3D rendering, twilight conversion, etc.

    13. BoxBrownie

    BoxBrownie is an Australian-based real estate photography and video service company that offers a 24-hour turnaround for a wide range of photo and video selections. It’s an excellent virtual staging option for real estate agents with no technical image and video editing skills.

    Here are the BoxBrownie virtual staging prices:

    • $24 for 2D virtual staging.
    • $48 for 360 degrees virtual staging.
    • $16 to $24 for 360 degrees virtual tours.

    The company also offers other services for real estate photography, such as image enhancements, virtual dusk, item removal, virtual renovations, renders, etc.

    Augmented Reality Virtual Staging

    The last two programs in this list have augmented reality (AR) virtual staging software as part of their ecommerce offers. They have more marketing than staging functions since these applications promote their items, but you see a demonstration of what the products look like in natural settings.

    Here are the AR virtual staging applications:

    14. Armstrong Flooring Design Visualizer

    The Armstrong Flooring design visualizer uses AR technology to show flooring styles you can order on their site. You can select a premade space, upload a project, choose and compare, or design your floor. You can have the product delivered to your address.

    Real estate agents can show this to customers for flooring ideas in a virtual staging aspect. You can pick a product to see how it would fair with specific colors and furniture.

    15. IKEA Home Planner Tools

    IKEA is one of the most well-loved brands in the do-it-yourself or DIY furniture category. Their planner app is more product-focused than room-focused, unlike virtual staging. However, this deserves a slot on the list because real estate agents often use them to show a room’s visual potential with furniture.

    Bottomline

    Real estate buyers often rely on photos, images, and other representations before making decisions. Sometimes, handling a virtual home staging software is not enough, and you need a professional’s touch. Real estate agents heavily rely on mobile apps or computer software to communicate and create digital innovation.

    If you think the apps are too complicated to operate on your own, Phixer offers a wide range of real estate editing services, from virtual staging to decluttering. You can check out the company’s portfolio and pages to know more about the best-suited real estate editing services for marketing efforts.

  • A Straightforward Guide to Effectively Remove Shadows From Photos

    A Straightforward Guide to Effectively Remove Shadows From Photos

    Regardless of how much lighting you have during your photoshoot, your real estate photos will unavoidably have distracting dark areas depending on the angle and time of the day. Your exterior images will likely have shadows that can cover or distort some of the home’s best exterior features.

    You can avail of professional editing services from Phixer, or you can remove shadows from pictures using Photoshop. By spending a little time practicing the tips listed below, you can eventually produce realistic and high-quality real estate photos to wow clients!

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    Method 1: Removing Shadows Using the Fill Tool Content-Aware

    If you’re wondering how to remove shadows from pictures in Photoshop, using the content-aware fill method, such as the Patch tool, is one. This method provides realistic results when deleting shadows with concise lines and shadows on a definite background.

    Step 1: Import the image or file you want to edit on Photoshop. Once done, right-click on the background layer and choose the duplicate layer option. It is essential for easily removing shadows from the photo without damaging the quality of the original image.

    Step 2: Choose the Patch Tool option available on the toolbar. Don’t forget to select the “Content-Aware” option in the dropdown navigation for Patch Fill to make it easier to create fresh pixels, which also ensures that your transition in applying edits to the photos goes smoothly.

    Step 3: Select the part you want to displace from the photo and move the selection to a section or area with similar features. As you’re pulling, you will immediately notice that the particular area will start to change. Once you’re happy with the size you’ve chosen, let go and let Photoshop smoothen your edits.

    If you’re unsatisfied or unhappy with the changes made in the photo, you can always change the Color and Structure option, which can be accessed from the Patch toolbar. By using Color, you can control the intensity of the color blending in your photos. By using Structure, you can control how similarly Photoshop should coordinate the outlines or shapes.

    Don’t forget to review your work after using the Patch tool. You can do this by using the Clone Stamp or Healing Brush to remove repeating patterns on the photo. Aside from learning how to remove shadows from pictures in Photoshop, these tools will help you produce realistic and high-quality images without shadows.

    Method 2: Soften Sharp Shadows with Layers

    There are instances when the shadows you captured on the photo work well with the subject but are just too prominent. In situations like these, you can reduce harsh shadows using layers.

    Step 1: Mask the dark area with the Object Selection Tool and then separate the shadow.

    Step 2: Copy the portion to a brand new layer by choosing Edit > Copy or pressing Ctrl + C on your keyboard. After, paste the shadow by selecting the layer, New, and then Layer via Copy.

    Step 3: Lightening the shadows is one of the easiest and fastest ways to reduce harsh shadows on your photos. However, when the shadows are cooler than the surrounding light, it might be best to warm up the temperature. This is a great way to ensure that the shadow blends in with the surrounding area, making your photos look more natural.

    Perform the following steps:

    • Adjust the Brightness and Color Balance on Photoshop.
    • Move the shadow slider to warm up the temperature.
    • Try different settings to assess which one works best for your photo.
    • Once you’re happy with the edits, click OK for the adjustments to blend to your image.

    When shadows in your photos are too harsh and using Brightness and Color Balance adjustments don’t create any drastic changes, try adjusting the Dehaze and Clarity. Dehaze can remove atmospheric haze from the photo while Clarity improves the saturation.

    Method 3: Making Adjustments to The Shadows on a Subject’s Face

    If you want to remove shadows from pictures, particularly harsh shadows on the subject’s face, this method is for you. Seeing harsh shadows on faces is common in travel and street photography as you can’t always control the amount of light and where the light falls.

    You need to use two different tools when removing shadows on faces. When reducing harsh shadows from the front, the Dodge Tool is ideal. If you want to remove harsh shadows from the subject’s face altogether, you need to use the Clone Tool.

    Removing Harsh Shadows Using The Clone Tool

    Step 1: Open the photo on Photoshop, click on the background layer, and then choose the Duplicate Layer.

    Step 2: Select the Clone Stamp available from the left toolbar and choose a medium-sized brush. This brush has soft edges, allowing you to produce realistic photos. If the brush size isn’t enough, you can constantly adjust the size using your bracket keys.

    Step 3: Choose a non-shaded area of the subject’s face and press the Alt button. This action confirms the source pixels. Your cursor will automatically change into crosshairs.

    Step 4: Zoom in and paint over the shade to remove shadows from the photo. Depending on the size and location of the darkness, you might need to repeat the third and fourth steps several times.

    To generate the best results from your photos, use various clone sources to cover the shadow. If it doesn’t look natural, you can always take pixels from another section of the photo.

    Reducing Harsh Shadows Using Dodge Tool

    Step 1: Open the photo on Photoshop, click on the background layer, and then select Duplicate Layer.

    Step 2: Select the Dodge Tool found available from the left toolbar. Once the Dodge menu pops, select Shadow under Range and then pick a number between 10 and 50. It’s best to put a small number first and then increase the number as you go along.

    Step 3: Zoom in and brush over the shadow you want to remove. If you don’t see any significant changes, increase the Opacity or adjust the Range.

    If you commit a mistake, say painted over on the subject’s hair, use the Burn Tool. This will darken the area again.

    Final Thoughts

    Who says you need years of experience or plenty of tools to remove unwanted or unappealing shadows from photos? The tips presented in this article will help you produce the best real estate photos as if they’re taken by pros who have years of experience in the industry!

  • How to Create Green Lawn in Photoshop for Attractive Real Estate Photo Editing

    How to Create Green Lawn in Photoshop for Attractive Real Estate Photo Editing

    Human beings are highly visual creatures, which is why imagery is crucial, especially in digital platforms like ecommerce or real estate listings. How your home looks in photos can create an impression – and this impression can significantly influence a buyer’s final decision.

    A well-maintained property won’t sell if it’s not translated well in the photos. If you want to impress homebuyers with your real estate photos, avail of real estate grass change services from pros, like Phixer, or master how to create a green lawn using Photoshop. This article will help you with the latter.

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    Method 1: Use Hue And Saturation Parameters

    Everything in your real estate photos should be perfect – and that includes the details present in your real estate exterior photos. Yellow- or brown-colored grasses will make potential homebuyers think that the property isn’t maintained and will likely look for other options.

    If your real estate photos show yellow- or brown-colored grasses, lawn replacement editing using hue and saturation parameters in Photoshop can help.

    Step 1: After opening an image in Photoshop, create a new layer.

    Step 2: Select the “Adjustment” panel located in the right corner of the editor.

    Step 3: Click the “Hue/Saturation” icon. To replace grass in Photoshop using this method, you need to adjust the tone, intensity, and brightness of colors. Generally, this section has three parameters that you need to change.

    Step 4: Choose the yellow color and adjust the settings accordingly. This setting will depend on how light or dark the yellow is in your photos.

    Step 5: Merge all the layers, and don’t forget to save your work

    Pro tip: When it comes to grass replacement editing, you can’t miss a single detail. The lawn on your photos should look even to increase your chances of finding a homebuyer and earning profits fast.

    Method 2: Turn Yellow Grass Into Green Using Brushes

    To make your real estate photos look like real estate grass change services have edited them, you can also use brushes on Photoshop. This method is straightforward and doesn’t require years of experience in using Photoshop.

    Step 1: Upload the photo in Photoshop.

    Step 2: Create a new layer and choose “Soft Light” as your blending mode.

    Step 3: Set your desired green tone. This setting depends on the overall lighting of the photo and the existing color of the grass.

    Step 4: Select the brush tool located in the standard toolbar.

    Step 5: Draw all over the area where you want to fix using the brush. This action will apply new color (in this case, color green) without affecting the grass’s original texture and brightness.

    Step 6: If you accidentally drew over other areas, choose the “eraser” tool found in the second group of icons in the toolbox. Selecting this option will restore the damaged parts.

    Step 7: On the layers panel, open “Levels” by pressing the right mouse button or using the Ctrl+L combination. Move the right control point to the left to make the grass layer brighter.

    Step 8: Adjust the “Opacity” of the grass to achieve a more realistic effect. Ideally, the opacity of the grass should be around 60% or 70%.

    If the grass still looks bleak or unrealistic after adjusting the opacity, consider using special brushes that allow you to fill in empty spaces, imitate grass bunches, or make the lawn denser.

    Step 9: Once you’re happy with how your grass looks, merge all the layers and save your work.

    Method 3: Make Grass Greener Using Camera Raw Filter

    If this is your first time creating a green lawn in Photoshop, this method is for you. Unlike the previous two scenarios presented, you’ll only need to make a few mouse clicks to replace grass in Photoshop using this method.

    Step 1: Upload your RAW photo in Photoshop.

    Step 2: Click “Filter” and then “Raw Camera Filter.”

    Step 3: Click “Channel Mixer” and adjust the yellow and green colors in the three tabs. Every photo is unique, so make sure that you change these colors carefully.

    Practice Makes Perfect

    As you can see, lawn replacement editing using Photoshop isn’t as difficult as you thought it would be. By spending some time to practice, it won’t be long before you can master grass replacement editing and produce the best photos to impress homebuyers!

  • 10 Best Photoshop Plugins For Real Estate Photographers in 2022

    10 Best Photoshop Plugins For Real Estate Photographers in 2022

    Real estate photographers should prioritize post-production on property images to generate high-quality photos that attract homebuyers. There are many free real estate photo editing software, and their built-in features can create breathtaking real estate photos with the help of Photoshop plugins.

    You may need to avail yourself of high-quality real estate photo editing services, such as Phixer, or learn the ropes in using editing software, like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.

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    TL;DR: Here is a list of the best Adobe Photoshop plugins for real estate photographers to significantly improve the image output:

    1. PixelSquid

    PixelSquid enables you to add 3D objects to your real estate photos if you want to try your hand at virtual staging. It’s one of the best Photoshop plugins for photographers for free download today because it allows you to access a library of 3D objects and overlay them on your design projects.

    You can easily manipulate 3D objects to find the right angle and then download them in transparent background. PixelSquid has paid features; you can still access its 3D library by downloading the plugin and making an account.

    2. Tych Panel 2

    As an open-source Photoshop extension, Tych Panel 2 allows you to automatically diptych and triptych real estate photos. With this plugin, you can divide any image you’ve edited in Photoshop into two or three panels and create different layouts of columns and rows.

    Tych Panel 2 comes with an easy-to-use interface, so you don’t have to spend much time learning how each of its tools works.

    3. Texture Anarchy

    Are you looking for a free real estate photo editing software that allows you to create borders and textures on your images? Or want to access a wide range of present borders and textures? The Texture Anarchy might be the plugin you need.

    Texture Anarchy provides tools to help you make create and edit borders and textures. These tools include different color gradients, color wells, fractal noise, layers, and lighting. This plugin also offers blend modes so you can easily combine different colors and patterns.

    4. Pathfinder

    Pathfinder for Photoshop allows you to merge different shapes, making it one of the best free Photoshop plugins for real estate photographers. With this plugin, you can easily click on two figures on Photoshop and merge them to create a new form. Pathfinder is available on Adobe’s creative cloud app store that you can access on the Pathfinder Panel.

    5. Composer

    Composer is another Photoshop plugin that works by updating multiple layer comps with just one click. With this plugin, you can easily update your multiple-layer comps’ layer visibility, style, and position. Layer comps in Photoshop record three different types of layer options, and editing every single one can be time-consuming. Fortunately, you can now install and use Composer to make the task easier.

    To use Composer, select which layer comps you want to change and then choose the update command on the Composer ribbon.

    6. Camera Raw

    Camera Raw makes it to our list of free Photoshop plugins for real estate photographers. This plugin functions as an image processor to turn raw information from the camera into an image. Camera Raw allows you to sharpen photos, adjust contrasts, set white balance, and even set tonal range. After, you can easily manipulate the image using Photoshop.

    This plugin is very versatile as you can play with it in different ways to improve the quality of your photos!

    7. HDR Sharpener Tool

    High dynamic range imaging or HDR reveals lost details while keeping your photos look realistic. You can use HDR to improve the brightness and overall appeal of your photos. You can quickly produce HDR images when you use the HDR sharpener tool.

    As a Photoshop plugin, you can apply HDR-like effects to your real estate photos within minutes using the HDR Sharpener Tool. This plugin can also sharpen your images without compromising the quality and increase its dynamic range!

    8. White Balance / Highlight Recovery Plugin

    White balance is crucial in real estate photos because it allows you to manipulate colors to match the light source’s color so white objects will appear whiter. The white balance/highlight recovery plugin in Photoshop can achieve white balance in your real estate photos and more.

    The white balance/highlight recovery plugin helps countless professionals and aspiring photographers set the white balance in their photos and recover highlight details quickly. This feature is essential in producing the best pictures.

    9. Composition Grid Plugin

    Perspective and ratio are essential for real estate photographs. Do you want to apply the Rule of Thirds in your real estate photos but don’t know how? Or maybe you’re interested in following the principles of Dynamic Symmetry or Golden Ratio? Whatever the case is, the Composition Grid plugin can help.

    The Composition Grid plugin generates a grid that you can easily use and apply to your photos for easier editing. Since each grid turns into a separate layer, you won’t need to add design elements to a specific layer and follow various photography guidelines.

    10. Highpass Sharpen Photoshop Plugin

    Images contain high and low-frequency details, and high pass filters work by retaining high frequencies while reducing the low frequencies in the picture. A high pass filter is one of the bases for many sharpening techniques.

    If you’re looking for a more innovative way to sharpen your real estate photos, try using Highpass Sharpen Photoshop plugin right away. This plugin uses high-fidelity methods in sharpening images and is a technique favored by many professional photographers.

    Download the Best Plugins

    Ultimately, the goal is to create a beautiful real estate photo that sells well on a listing site. Instead of typing in “Photoshop plugins for photographers free download” in your browser, immediately download the plugins mentioned in this article.

    You can produce the best real estate photos when you know the right plugins to use. If all else fails, you can leave the post-production to professionals that specialize in real estate editing.

  • Virtual Staging in Real Estate: Top 7 Ways to Dress Up Emptiness

    Virtual Staging in Real Estate: Top 7 Ways to Dress Up Emptiness

    In the real estate industry, home staging develops a residence for sale by making the property look appealing. The staging method allows potential buyers to visualize themselves in the space, increase the property’s value, and demonstrate the home’s potential through visual appeal.

    Traditional home staging is now a thing of the past as more and more sellers are using virtual home staging services, like Phixer, to create high-quality images of residential properties. Digital staging provides more benefits over traditional home staging, as the former is more cost-efficient.

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    TL;DR: If you want to sell your property fast through digital staging, dress up the space through these tips:

    1. Add Virtual Decors and Furniture

    In virtual staging, you need to make the property feel and look inviting. You can’t bring in new customers if the space seems unsafe or feels like someone else’s home. Before using a full-blown virtual property enhancement, add small decors and furniture to empty spaces first. You can add seating furniture, hanging sets, and even plants depending on the space size. Consider the room’s overall size, as adding too many fittings will make the space look cramped and feel uninviting.

    You can do this by editing via Photoshop or availing virtual staging services. Virtual staging is versatile so that you won’t have any problems adding different elements to a vacant room or area inside a residential property.

    2. Determine a Focal Point

    Determine a focal point to catch the attention of potential homebuyers once they view your photos when adding virtual decors and furniture. You can achieve this by placing a red-colored seat in a living room filled with cream-colored furniture or adding a large chandelier in the kitchen.

    The focal point can help emphasize the point of interest in the room and ensure harmony between design elements added to the photos. You’ll have the liberty to add as many virtual decors and furniture in empty spaces, but this doesn’t mean that you should. As mentioned earlier, going overboard when adding design elements will only make the room feel and look small.

    Generally, your photos should include your fireplaces, windows, and shelving. If the rooms have multiple unique features, such as statement chairs in bold colors or hand-painted accent walls, highlight them in your photos, as well.

    3. Focus On the Angles

    You should capture as many details as you can when virtually staging a home. For instance, when taking photos of the bedroom, pay attention to your angles so you can include significant furniture and appliances in one image. Perspective is essential to virtual staging because it allows potential buyers to see the entire room and its features.

    The more visual elements you provide to potential buyers, the easier it’ll be for them to assess whether the property suits their lifestyle, needs, and budget.

    4. Shoot in Landscape

    Your image orientation is essential in virtual staging, especially when using the images for listing or banners. It’ll be challenging for you to capture as many facilities present on the property if you’re shooting photos using the wrong orientation.

    When it comes to virtual staging, it’s best to shoot photos in the landscape. Photos taken in this orientation are more comprehensive than tall, allowing you to show more about the property’s rooms and use the maximum amount of space to add virtual decors and furniture.

    Landscape photos look better on the MLS and other real estate websites and significantly increase your chances of finding buyers and earning profits fast.

    5. Use a Neutral Background

    Virtual decors and furniture are great accessories to dress up a space. You need to pay attention to the colors in editing photos to succeed with your efforts. The wrong color combination can adversely affect the visual appeal of your pictures and your viewers’ attention and emotions.

    If you want your visual decors and furniture to stand out, opt to use a neutral background. Neutral palettes, such as beige, gray, taupe, ivory, and different shades of white, blend well with other colors within the room. Using a neutral background, any visual décor or furniture you add to the room will surely pop out!

    The combination of a neutral background and decors and furniture in different colors will make any space more appealing and excite potential homebuyers.

    6. Keep the Lights On

    Light plays a vital role in photos. Particularly in virtual staging, light can alter the mood of the viewers and significantly affect the quality of your photos. Keep the lights on even if you’re taking pictures with the abundance of natural light to impress homebuyers with your virtual stage, which will bring more warmth to your photos and make your photos look more natural.

    Lights will also make it easier for you to edit your photos. The sufficient lighting in photos can quickly eliminate shadows and make the rooms look more realistic, especially when adding virtual items.

    7. Create a Striking Balance

    Virtual staging is making waves in the real estate industry today due to its manipulation of how every room in the house looks and feels. Strive to create a striking balance to make your photos look more appealing in the eyes of the homebuyers when editing photos. Keep in mind that some buyers want their properties to feel more inviting. These individuals might need to see some furniture to visualize themselves living in the property quickly.

    For example, instead of going with the trend and sticking to a minimalist home design in editing photos, consider that not everyone appreciates living in a property that only has the bare essentials.

    Takeaway Points

    There are a million ways to dress up the emptiness, especially in a real estate setting. Virtual staging is a good technique for filling up a space and creating a homey atmosphere without buying new furniture. You don’t need to be a professional to succeed. By following the tips presented in this article, you can easily create the most realistic, stunning photos and sell your property fast.

  • A Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial on Exterior Object Removal

    A Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial on Exterior Object Removal

    Using a clutter-free photo is vital in real estate photography. A property free of disarray will look bigger and brighter in pictures and leave a lasting and positive impression on potential homebuyers. However, you can’t always declutter before taking photos; it’s best to use professional editing services like Phixer or practice specific techniques in Photoshop to achieve that goal. Both of these techniques are easy to use and effective.

    There are different techniques on how to remove objects from a picture using Photoshop. This article will provide step-by-step guides on every process so you can quickly determine which works best for you.

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    TL;DR: Here are some of the techniques for exterior object removals:

    Technique #1: Spot Healing Brush

    spot healing brush

    One unwanted object removal technique available in Photoshop is the use of the spot healing brush. This technique is ideal in removing small objects in a photo, namely socket holes in the walls or visible spots in pieces of furniture.

    Step 1: Prepare Your Photo in Photoshop

    To learn how to remove objects from a picture with this technique, start by opening your product photo in Photoshop. Open Photoshop and then select the image you want to work on in the software artboard.

    Step 2: Generate a New Retouching Layer

    Once you insert the photo, the software will automatically create a background primary layer.

    Duplicate a new layer on top of the primary background layer to use for retouching.

    Step 3: Close in on the Object for Removal

    Select the layer you’ve made and zoom on the clutter so that you can plan how to remove it precisely.

    Step 4: Choose the Spot Healing Brush Tool

    After zooming in on the object that you want to remove from the image or picture, click on the spot healing brush tool available in the left toolbar of Photoshop. This tool is vital to complete the unwanted objects removal process.

    Select the appropriate brush size depending on the size of the object you want to remove. If this is your first time using the spot healing brush tool, take the time to play around with different brush sizes so you can discover one that suits the size of the object you want to remove.

    Step 5: Target the Object You Want To Remove

    Move your brush to the object you want to erase from your photo. With the spot healing brush tool, any unwanted item on your image will magically disappear.

    However, for your photos to look realistic and natural even when using this tool, pay careful attention to the size of the brush you’re going to use and the size of the object you want to remove. Using a brush tool that’s too big will likely erase other essential elements in your photo while using one that’s too small will not remove the clutter altogether.

    Technique #2: Clone Stamp

    The clone stamp Photoshop tool copies an area into another part of the image. Using the clone stamp tool in Photoshop is also a great way to declutter unwanted items in your photo. This technique removes larger objects as you can select an entire area and replace it with another item. It’s good for copying textures and covering up areas of the property that need work.

    Step 1: Open Your Photo in Photoshop

    After you’ve selected the image you want to edit, select the model photography images in Photoshop. Go to File and then click on Open New image. A window will automatically appear after you select this option. After that, you can navigate to your image, and click Ok to insert it in the artboard.

    Step 2: Click on the Clone Stamp

    Click on the clone stamp from the tool panel of Photoshop. Then, hold the Alt key and target the area where you want to use as a sample away from the unwanted objects. It should have the appropriate texture and lighting because that part will be copied as it is.

    Step 3: Focus on the Object You Want To Remove

    Paint over the object you want to remove from your photo or image, and the clone stamp will automatically fill this area with the sample area you selected earlier.

    Technique #3: The Patch Tool

    photoshop patch tool

    You can also use Photoshop to remove objects using the patch tool. This is another handy object-removing tool that works best with solid backgrounds, like black and white.

    Step 1: Open Your Photo in Photoshop

    After selecting the image you want to edit, create a duplicate layer in Photoshop.

    Step 2: Click on the Patch Tool

    Move your cursor to the left toolbar and click on the patch tool. Unlike the clone stamp tool, you must choose the area you want to remove first and then select a sample area next.

    Step 3: Create a Line Around the Unwanted Object

    Zero in on the area you want to remove and draw a line around it. Try your best to draw straight lines around the object to get perfect and natural-looking photos.

    Step 4: Drag the Selection to an Area You Want To Use as Patch Sample

    After completing drawing lines around the unwanted object, click on the selected area and drag it towards the section you want to use as a patch sample. This will automatically cover the sample area with the selected area.

    Save Your Work

    You should save your work once you’re done removing the unwanted exterior objects from your photo. You can do this by pressing the control and S keys on your keyboard or manually selecting Save or Save As from the Photoshop File option. Make a habit of saving your work especially when you’re in the middle of a complicated edit.

    Key Takeaway

    Contrary to popular belief, using Photoshop to remove objects from your photos isn’t impossible to accomplish. As long as you’re willing to learn and exert time and effort, it won’t be long before you can master the art of removing external objects using Photoshop! You can also outsource this service if you have limited time.

  • What are Top 5 Fascinating Facts About Real Estate Twilight Photo Editing?

    What are Top 5 Fascinating Facts About Real Estate Twilight Photo Editing?

    The real estate photography industry is fast-paced and continuously evolving to fit the needs of both agents and buyers. There are many techniques born out of changing market preferences and standards. In recent years, social-media-inspired aesthetics inspired trends that led photo editing companies to offer services like virtual twilight.

    While there have been no formal studies or statistics on the psychological effects of dusk editing in real estate photography settings, sunrise and sunsets have undeniable appeal aspects.

    Why did twilight photo editing become a trend, and what fascinating facts should you know about it?

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    Twilight Photo Editing

    Most expert photographers would tell you that lighting plays a massive part in the overall appeal. While real estate photography is different from live model shoots, it still follows the same lighting and color aesthetic principles. Instagram influencers rave about the importance of the golden hour, which is around an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset.

    This hour also gives free ambiance lighting for your listing when you’re doing outdoor photographs. There are many ways to attain this effect. To find out more, check out this Twilight photo blog post by Phixer.

    Fascinating Real Estate Twilight Photo Editing Facts

    1. Special service offered by professionals

    Most photography professionals know about the golden hour, but it’s challenging to capture all shots within a limited timeframe. The demand for these unique golden hour lighting conditions inspired day to dusk photo editing from premier real estate photography editing companies.

    It may be shocking to know that there is such as thing as a virtual twilight or digital twilight effect.

    2. Twilight drives up curb appeal

    People often look for properties in the hopes of permanence, so they want a sneak preview of what they look like in different lighting conditions. Twilight shots could also showcase accessories and fixtures that look better in darker states.

    Shots from different times will help buyers decide if they like how the property feels in the daytime or even in the dark.

    3. Twilight improves your listing’s the luxurious vibe

    Buyers often choose properties with excellent value for money, especially those with foreseen long-term rates. However, they may not be ready to spend too much money. Luxury does not usually come with a particular price point but with an emotional aspect.

    You might need a day to dusk photo editing service to improve the overall effect. Clients will be more likely to purchase a house or land if they can have luxurious days with the property’s views.

    4. The actual act of taking photos during twilight is challenging

    The golden hour lasts for at most 60 minutes, and there may be issues during that time. Aside from the actual technical problems, the tricky lighting may require additional reflectors or lighting equipment. Even the most competent photographers may have difficulties in creating the desired output.

    Most photographers shoot the property during different times to attain the perfect twilight effect by combining them in post-production.

    5. You don’t have to be a twilight photo editing expert

    You may want a twilight photo, but you already conducted your photography sessions. Fortunately, experts like Phixer can offer Twilight editing to enhance your current photosets. You don’t have to learn about the complicated processes because they can do it for you and perform the necessary changes.

    Final Thoughts

    Real estate photo editing companies have improved their offers to include advanced techniques like virtual twilight and home staging. Check out twilight editing if you’re looking for ways to enhance your property appeal in a listing thumbnail or improve your aesthetic pull for a marketing campaign.

  • 3 Reliable Editing Techniques of Removing Objects Inside the House

    3 Reliable Editing Techniques of Removing Objects Inside the House

    Beautiful listing photos are essential in real estate sales because they provide initial impressions for potential buyers. However, your photos may have unnecessary background items and furniture that cost too much money or time to move. You can guarantee the best possible appearance by having a clutter-free background, and there are plenty of ways to do this process.

    Real estate photography services like unwanted objects removal are in-demand, but there are several ways to edit images through photo processing or manipulation programs like Adobe Photoshop. For example, you can perform basic cut and clone stamp methods on your own.

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    TL;DR: Here are some of the object removal techniques that you can do yourself while real estate photo editing:

    Object Removal Editing Techniques

    1. Lasso and Delete

    The lasso allows you to draw freeform sections using a selection border. It is an essential Photoshop tool to master when you’re decluttering items from the image. The lasso tool is versatile and easy to master, and you can use it for any photo.

    Here are the steps to unwanted objects removal using the lasso tool:

    • With the lasso, select the item/s you want to remove.
    • Erase the object/s by pressing delete on the keyboard.
    • With the lasso, select a part of the image that’s similar to the place you just cleared.
    • Copy and paste to the site of the removed thing/s.
    • You may need to zoom in and out several times to smoothen the cut edges.

    The lasso and delete method is easy enough to understand and execute for even graphic beginners or those with non-graphic backgrounds.

    Pro: Beginner-friendly method for a real estate photo editor.

    Con: Challenging to cover up the deleted area realistically.

    2. Clone Stamping

    The clone stamp tool replaces a part of your image with a section within the same photo. The tool clones pixels or objects to create a more photo-realistic touchup or edit and often replicates areas or scenes to extend a pattern. The result makes photographs look like a real estate photo editing service took care of the post-production.

    Here are the steps to using clone stamping for object removal:

    • Plan the areas to copy.
    • Pick the clone stamp from the toolbar.
    • Push Alt on the pixels that you want to copy until it turns into a crosshair.
    • Select the surface or objects that you want to copy over.
    • A small plus sign will indicate that it will copy the selected area to the current spot.

    Pro: Looks more natural than a lasso cut and paste.

    Con: Harder to control, especially on images with uneven lighting.

    3. Spot Healing Brush

    The Spot Healing tool removes small details like blemishes and wrinkles. It’s an essential part of the real estate photo editor arsenal since it can remove small objects like switches and glasses.

    Here are instructions on how to use the spot healing brush:

    • Select Spot Healing Brush.
    • Select Content Aware.
    • Brush over the surface you need removed.

    Pro: It only takes a few seconds.

    Con: May have different results, especially for bigger items.

    Option for Newbies

    The mentioned steps and tips are excellent for personal and commercial purposes. However, if you tried the most reliable techniques but still couldn’t get rid of the unwanted objects, you can let a real estate photo editing service declutter the images for you.

    Final Thoughts

    The competitive real estate industry includes some of the most promising sales techniques. Therefore, it’s essential to brush up on real estate photo editing, especially when dealing with multiple listings. Moreover, you can rely on Phixer’s object removal if you need mass decluttering within a time constraint.

  • Top 5 Best PC for Real Estate Photo Editing in 2021 to Attract Buyers

    Top 5 Best PC for Real Estate Photo Editing in 2021 to Attract Buyers

    2021 is a great year to improve your real estate photography skills and remain competitive. Several real estate photo editing service companies specialize in post-production, but sometimes you may need to do some of them yourself. A high-quality desktop computer is an excellent investment, especially when you have adequate editing skills.

    Before you check out the top PCs for real estate editing, you need to know more about the photo editing programs and desktop specifications required to run them.

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    Photo Editing Applications for Computers

    The primary reason why you should get a desktop is to accommodate your photo editing software. You can use a convenient real estate photo editor on your phone to get the job done. However, you may need to use more intensive editing software for larger photo touchups and image manipulations.

    The minimum specifications of your computer will highly depend on the kind of programs you’re planning to run. Here are the minimum specs for Adobe Photoshop that works with any OS (Operating System):

    • AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.) processor or Intel® with 64-bit support;
    • 2 GHz or faster with SSE (Streaming SIMD Extensions) 4.2 or later;
    • 8GB RAM (Random Access Memory);
    • 2GB GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) memory;
    • At least 4GB available HDD (Hard Disk Drive) with added installation space needed.

    While you can run Photoshop with the minimum specifications on any OS, you will have issues with functions that require more power.

    TL;DR: Here are some of the best real estate photo editor PCs in 2021 in no particular order:

    Top Real Estate Photo Editing PCs

    1. 24-inch iMac (2021)

    CPU: 8-core Apple M1 chip

    GPU: 7 or 8-core Apple M1 GPU

    Storage: 256GB to 2TB SSD

    Pros:

    • Great new design with seven vibrant colors
    • Nice built-in webcam
    • Excellent 4.5k Retina screen resolution with anti-glare
    • Lightweight

    Cons:

    • Mac mini better alternative
    • Few ports
    • 16GB maximum RAM
    • SSD upgrades are expensive

    You can edit up to 8k videos on heavy video software like Final Cut Pro. However, the RAM limit might inhibit multi-tasking.

    2. M900 Lenovo ThinkCentre

    CPU: Intel Core i7 Processor

    GPU: Up to NVIDIA Quadro K420 2GB DVI (Digital Visual Interface) and DP (Display Port)

    Storage: 1TB HDD

    Pros:

    • Exclusive GPU
    • Powerful CPU
    • Up to 64GB RAM

    Cons:

    • Limited ports

    Can handle heavy-duty image manipulation with most software that runs on Windows OS. You can expand the RAM up to 64GB.

    3. M1 Mac mini (2020)

    CPU: 8-Core Apple Silicon M1

    GPU: 8-Core M1 GPU

    Storage: 2TB SSD

    Pros:

    • New M1 hardware
    • Minimalist aesthetic
    • High-performance Machine Learning
    • Small and compact design

    Cons:

    • eGPU incompatible
    • 16GB RAM limit
    • Two thunderbolt ports
    • Separate peripherals

    Suitable for photo editing but less expendable than other desktops.

    4. 28-inch Microsoft Surface Studio 2

    CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-7820HQ

    GPU: GTX 1060 6GB or GTX 1070 8GB NVIDIA® GeForce®

    Storage: 1TB or 2TB SSD

    Pros:

    • Powerful and intuitive system
    • Surface pen
    • Top-notch and one-of-a-kind technology
    • High resolution

    Cons:

    • Expensive
    • 32GB RAM limit

    If you are doing a professional real estate photo editing service, you can edit 2D and 3D images.

    5. HP Pavilion Wave

    CPU: Intel® Core i3-6100T or i5-6300T processor

    GPU: AMD Radeon R9 M470

    Storage: 1TB HDD

    Pros:

    • Stylish and unique cylindrical form
    • Practical and clever audio solution

    Cons:

    • No visible audio port
    • Unflattering specs
    • 16GB RAM limit

    The HP Pavilion Wave acts more like an entertainment hub than a PC, but it can still function with graphics editing software.

    Final Thoughts

    Real estate editing is one of the most in-demand skills in 2021, and you need an excellent computer to handle complex information and illustrations. Ensure that you check the software specifications you want to use, as most real estate graphic applications have different requirements.