The Dos and Don’ts of Image Retouching

These are the article’s retouching examples. Its different treatments of permanent features need case-specific clarification and do not establish blanket editing permission.

When it works, great retouching works really well, truly advertising a property in its best light.

Our years of experience have made us experts in the field. The key is knowing the boundaries and what is acceptable editing. Almost anything is possible using Photoshop and 3D Rendering technology, given the required time and budget. But that doesn’t mean you can or should!

In this article, we’re bringing you our Top 8 DOs and DON’Ts for retouching real estate photography, based on our years of experience in the market.

Do: remove temporary items

We happily remove temporary items that are not easily taken down on the day of photography, such as basketball rings. In doing so, we draw focus to the features of the property itself, without any unwelcome distractions to the eye.

Don’t: remove permanent fixtures

As a general rule, we do not remove any permanent fixtures such as power lines or a neighbouring block of units.

Do: add colours or grass if property alterations are actually occurring

We’re also happy to add lush grass or change paint colours when we’re aware that these things are being altered for the sale of the property.

Don’t: use people in your photography

Prospective buyers want to imagine themselves in the home, as well as viewing the property in terms of its marketability and house features. Adding people to photography takes away the buyers’ ability to visualise themselves in the space, and adds unwelcome distraction.

Do: remove visual distractions

For builders and architecture packages, we create idealized versions, removing inconveniently placed neighbours or visual distractions. This allows the property to be showcased in all its individual glory.

Don’t: show personal details or belongings

You might be proud of your collection of taxidermy, or your childhood dolls that have followed you in boxes throughout your various homes, but what you think is cool isn’t always everybody else’s cup of tea. Always keep in mind that the buyer wants to imagine his or her own version of the space, not the tastes of the person who lived there before.

Do: add virtual furniture to showcase the potential of a space

Sometimes, we use virtual furniture to fit out and demonstrate the unwavering potential of a property. The use of the space is considered carefully and faithfully executed by our experienced designers. Choosing furniture that is relevant to the space and style portrayed requires a keen eye for detail.

Don’t: remove clutter via Photoshop

Taking photographs that are clutter-free is essential because removing clutter via Photoshop is tedious and unnecessary. Making sure the space is clean when you take the shots saves a lot of time and frustration. Often, this relies on having good tenants and agents to work with, who will keep the space tidy.

Overall, the most important thing to remember is to be faithful towards your prospective buyers. Deceiving them with Photoshop tricks serves no purpose – but creating the best visual representation of the property not only attracts higher prices and enthusiastic buyers, it will also maintain your credibility as a highly-skilled and trusted professional.

If you feel like your home could avail of our retouching expertise, contact us today.

Applying the examples

The article generally rejects permanent-fixture removal, while discussing idealised builder imagery. Our operational FAQ separately describes written acceptance of responsibility for certain permanent-feature requests. These statements do not resolve every use case or make an alteration automatically permissible. Ask us to review the exact edit and intended use.

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Which temporary changes does the article discuss?

Removing temporary items, such as a basketball ring that could not be taken down on the day, and adding grass or changing paint colours where corresponding physical alterations are occurring.

What does it say about permanent fixtures?

It generally rejects removing power lines or neighbouring buildings, yet describes idealised builder imagery elsewhere. That distinction is unresolved; the article is not blanket permission to remove permanent features.

How does it recommend using virtual furniture?

Select furniture that suits the space and style and represents its potential faithfully, rather than obscuring how the property actually works.

Why should clutter be removed before photography?

The article says digitally removing clutter is tedious and avoidable; preparing a clean space saves editing effort and presents the property more clearly.

How should the article’s retouching examples be applied to a new request?

Discuss the exact change and intended use with us. Our published FAQ requires written acceptance of responsibility for permanent-feature removal, but acceptance does not automatically make an alteration permissible.

Why does the article advise against putting people in property photographs?

It argues that buyers want to imagine themselves in the home, and that adding people removes that ability and introduces distraction.

What is different about builder and architecture packages?

For those packages the article describes creating idealised versions, removing inconveniently placed neighbours or visual distractions so the property is shown on its own terms.

Why should personal belongings be removed rather than retouched out?

The article's point is that a buyer needs to imagine their own life in the space, and that a seller's collections and personal details work against that regardless of how well they are edited.

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