28 May 2020

CAN YOU VIRTUALLY STAGE A PHOTO TAKEN WITH A SMARTPHONE?

Introduction

We all know how hard it is to make a vacant property feel inviting and lived in which is exactly why Virtual Staging is such an amazing tool for real estate agents. This innovative edit is a great way to attract more buyers and show off the potential of a property.

But the question we get asked all the time is, can you virtually stage a smartphone image? So, in this blog, we are going to test the Virtual Staging edit using three devices:

• Nikon D7200 (professional DSLR camera)
• Samsung S9 smartphone (with the Moment wide-angle lens attachment)
• iPhone 11 smartphone (with the inbuilt wide-angle lens)

For simplicity, we will be shooting all these images in single-exposure and then sending the unedited images for Image Enhancement and then Virtual Staging.

Testing The DSLR

For this comparison, we have shot this room at 12mm (18mm full-frame equivalent) in the program settings with the flash on. We have also used a tripod for all these images to limit any potential movement in the shot.

Testing The Samsung S9 With The Moment Wide-angle Lens

Smartphone lenses are increasingly quite wide so to maintain a similar aspect ratio for this comparison, we have adjusted the tripod positioning slightly. Simply click on the screen to find the correct focus and then take the shot.

Testing The iPhone 11 With Inbuilt Wide-Angle Lens

The iPhone’s inbuilt wide-angle lens is incredibly wide so you may find the need to zoom in slightly which we have done here. As we have discussed in previous blogs, we truly believe this smartphone could be a game-changer for real estate photography.

The Comparison

As you can see from the comparison images, the results are simply incredibly across all devices tested and it’s hard to tell any difference. 

There’s no doubt about it, the iPhone 11’s inbuilt wide-angle lens is awesome and is such a powerful feature. Considering the Samsung S9 was released back in 2018, the image quality is extremely good and hard to tell apart from the iPhone when using the Moment wide-angle lens attachment.

It’s important to note when blowing the images up on a large screen, the DSLR still is the best quality however smartphones are definitely closing the gap and producing a fantastic result.

For more tips on shooting a property with a smartphone, you can check out our previous blog How To Take Professional Photos On Your iPhone or Android.

How To Virtually Stage Your Image

While it’s not absolutely required, it is recommended that prior to having your images virtually staged, you have them enhanced using our Image Enhancement edit. This will ensure the best possible image is being used in the staging process. Having your images virtually staged is easy and can be completed in just a few steps:

1) Go to BoxBrownie.com, login and navigate to your Dashboard
2) Select the Virtual Staging edit
3) Enter a Job Title
4) Upload the photos to be edited and select the furniture style
5) Enter any preferences you may have including disclaimer text
6) Upload any reference images that could help our editors
7) Select Checkout

It really is that simple. Once submitted, our team of editors will get started on virtually staging your image in line with your preferences and have the completed image back to you within 48 hours.

Conclusion

No longer do you require big expensive professional camera equipment to take magazine-quality real estate images. With the help of our editors and a smartphone, you really can take fantastic shots and produce top-quality results.

The iPhone 11’s wide-angle lens is a true game-changer and even if you are using a slightly older smartphone like the Samsung S9, you can still take great images. Just be sure to use quality attachments like the Moment wide-angle lens. Whether you’re a real estate agent or a homeowner, don’t be afraid of using your smartphone especially if you are looking for an affordable alternative to DSLR cameras.

Of course, we always use the DSLR as a control in tests like this and would absolutely recommend shooting a property with a DSLR if your budget allows. However, if that’s simply not possible, a good-quality smartphone is a fantastic alternative.

If you’d like to get started with having one of your own images virtually staged, visit BoxBrownie.com online today or get in touch with our friendly team, we’d love to hear from you.

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