Ever wonder why certain listings have received thousands of views? The glittering real estate photos in the sunset are one of the "tricks" behind that attraction. Warm and poignant sunset scenes can be created from daytime photos using the Day to Dusk technique. Let's examine the definition and editing process of the Day to Dusk editing technique as well as the factors that contribute to its unique appeal.

What is Day to Dusk Editing?

Day to Dusk editing is a technique that uses specialized editing software to turn daytime photos into dusk scenes. Using the pictures you already have, you can create a cozy, romantic atmosphere in a matter of hours rather than waiting for the ideal sunset time to take pictures.

This procedure entails changing the blue sky to a vivid orange, pink, and purple color scheme, modifying the lighting to produce gentle shadows, and enhancing windows and light sources to make the image appear cozier and more appealing. In order to preserve the entire spectrum of light and dark, the HDR step will be carried out before converting to sunset if the picture was taken in multiple frames.

Why Dusk Photos Are a Big Win in Real Estate Listings

Increase Interactions and Views Multiple Times

Compared to flat Dusk photos, sunset photos create a more powerful first impression. Listings that use dusk photos as hero images get 76% more views than those that don't, according to research. A real-world example from California demonstrates how editing Day to Dusk increased a listing's views on Zillow and Realtor.com by 220% in just 72 hours and doubled the number of customer inquiries. Because buyers were captivated by the enchantment and beauty of dusk photos, not only did views rise, but click-through rates also improved dramatically.

Arouse Feelings and Boost Perceived Worth

Warm tones (orange, pale pink) brought by dusk light create a feeling of intimacy, luxury, and relaxation that daytime photos frequently lack. It makes a house look more "alive" by highlighting outdoor lighting, gardens, pools, and architectural details. The outcome? Purchasing decisions are made more quickly because buyers can readily picture themselves living there. Listings with photos taken at dusk sell 30% quicker and for 32% more than the average price. Thanks to virtual twilight photos, a house in Chicago sold for $20,000 more than the asking price in just one week.

Get a Competitive Advantage and Save Money and Time

You can easily edit your current dusk photos instead of planning a costly sunset photo shoot (with weather risks). Typically, each photo costs between $25 and $50 USD, and it takes ten to twenty-four hours to complete. This is particularly helpful for urgent listings, as it makes it easier to share on social media and through email marketing while maintaining consistency in the photo set. Dusk photos make your listings stand out from the thumbnail on sites like Facebook or Zillow in a highly competitive market.

Day to Dusk Editing Procedure: Step-by-Step 

HDR Fusion (if required)

To guarantee balanced exposure and highlight details in overexposed or underexposed areas, perform HDR fusion first if you have multiple frames bracketed.

Change the sky

Select an appropriate sunset sky and swap it out for the original. To prevent a phony appearance, make sure the new sky complements the light's color tone and direction.

Modify the lighting in general

To replicate sunset light, change the exposure, highlights, and shadows. This will soften the shadows, lessen the harshness, and give the whole picture a warm tone.

Adjust the shadows

To match the new light source (the sunset sky), change the shadows' softness and direction. Take note of where the shadows fall on the trees, buildings, and background.

Make windows and outdoor lights brighter.

To create depth and a cozy atmosphere, brighten windows and outdoor lights and add a warm tone. Avoid using artificial or flat highlights; instead, keep window outlines natural.

Appropriate reflections

To create realism, adjust reflections on glass, water, or glossy surfaces to match the sky and the new light source. If necessary, lower the color temperature or cool the reflections.

Save and release

For later editing, save the original (PSD/layered) file. Then, publish a compressed version that is appropriate for MLS and the web (be careful not to overcompress and lose detail).

See more: Best AI Tools for Day to Dusk Photo Editing

Typical Day-to-Dusk Errors and How to Prevent Them

An excessively dark or oversaturated sky

Viewers will notice the unnaturalness right away when the lawn is neon and the sky is set to a deep purple. To maintain a consistent color scheme, select a soft blue gradient and manage the grass's saturation.

Light from a Flat Window

The lighting in real windows is never uniform. To create realism, use internal shadows, soft tonal transitions, and subtle color temperature changes between frames.

Incorrect Shadow Direction

Shadows ought to align with the sky's direction. The shadows cast by roofs, columns, and fences should be skewed to the right if the light is coming from the left. A small deviation can give the picture a phony appearance.

Inconsistent reflections

Water, glass, and mirrors must be cooled to reflect the twilight light. Keeping midday reflections after the sky has turned to sunset is strictly prohibited.

Having too many lights on when it's not dark enough

Don't "turn on the whole house" if the scene is only dimly lit. Prioritize a few carefully chosen light sources to give the room a calming, organic vibe.

Picpee: Expert Photo Editing Service from Day to Dusk

With Picpee's expert Day to Dusk Photo Editing service, daytime real estate photos can be transformed into cozy and lovely sunset scenes. Picpee, a global marketplace that links photographers, real estate brokers, and editors, offers the best editing process with realistic and emotive photos, making listings stand out and drawing in more visitors.

Picpee becomes a reliable option for people who require consistent quality and excellent performance because of its affordable prices and quick delivery times. In addition to Day to Dusk, the platform offers a variety of other real estate photo editing services to help you finish your real estate media set in a thorough and expert manner, including HDR editing, virtual staging, object removal, video editing, and more.

Conclusion

Day to Dusk editing is a clever marketing tactic that makes dusk photos stand out in real estate listings, not just a photo-editing trick. This strategy is altering how agents approach the market because it can boost views, arouse emotion, and increase sales. Try it now if you're getting ready for your next listing. You'll be astounded by the outcome, and your buyers will appreciate you showing them your "dream home" as the sun sets!