Take Better Photos of Your Home in a Snap



Interior photography can look to be an art form restricted to glossy magazines and design sites. But even if your home is far from being featured in Dwell, you can still benefit from using a few superior photographs for prospective buyers, tenants or your own pleasure.

Using a little bit of preparation and setup, everyone can take inviting home shots by learning to navigate a few camera settings.

Lauren Donaldson

You do not necessarily need expert equipment to shoot great images — it’s only a matter of compensating for the limitations of your camera by following a few basic hints.

Before you get to shooting, invest time arranging furniture and accessorizing to assist tell your residence’s story.

Murphy & Co.. Layout

DO: Take with a wide-angle lens.

A wide-angle lens can catch more of your landscape in one shot and also make rooms appear more spacious. But too much of a wide angle can lead to distortion — also known as the fish-eye effect.

Use a lens that has a focal length of 14 to 24 millimeters and attempt to shoot just a few pictures at that extremely wide angle. In this image, the entire kitchen has been recorded in one image, which allows the viewer to comprehend how the kitchen flows into adjoining chambers. Shots reveal a lot about a space.

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

DO: Use natural light.

Pull back your curtains and draw your colors so that as much natural light as possible gets into the space. Colours will remain accurate, and your image will not have too much of that yellowish tinge.

Ideally you’ll be able to write your shots round the light. Avoid areas that are very dim or bright. The natural light from the skylight is flood the hallway, which is great since hallways often lack a strong light source. In cases like this the bedroom door is left open to bring in any extra light and also to minimize shadows on the left side of the framework.

Lauren Donaldson

DON’T: Use a flash.

In auto mode, camera settings can trigger the flash in case the space is too dim. It is tempting to use it, but images look much better without it. Fix your camera settings and turn your flash off. Let in light.

In this film the flash produces a glaring hot place in the middle of the photograph near the blossoms and about the dark furniture. Neither are attractive attributes, along with the room looks darker than it truly is.

DO: Mix artificial and natural light.

In a place with a lot of windows, it can be beneficial to flip on a few lights to provide the space heat. This kitchen feels more real and comfy with all the pendant and undercabinet lights turned on. But try to prevent excessive use of fluorescent lighting, which can give the photograph a green throw.

If lighting is proving tricky for you, fix your camera’s white balance settings. Most digital cameras have auto qualities that will adjust for certain ailments.

Lauren Donaldson

DON’T: rely on artificial light.

This film has been lit only with artificial light. Not only is the image dim, however, the whites are very yellow and the colors are dull. This scene is not inviting.

Annette English

DO: Take mirrors at an angle.

Grab mirrors and glistening surfaces at an angle to prevent making a casual appearance on your photograph. In this instance, shooting this bathroom with an angle is positive for two reasons: First, the photographer avoids showing up at the mirror. Secondly, the larger view of the space makes the shooter. This bathroom feels spacious because of these adjustments.

Lauren Donaldson

DON’T: Intrude about the shooter.

Well, hello! Your image in mirrors or reflection in glistening surfaces is a deflecting element to images, and it makes the shot sense amateurish. The flash can also cause difficulties in mirrors. Be extra cautious of those obstacles in every single room and adjust your place to locate the most gratifying angle.

A+B KASHA Designs

The most critical tool you can have when photographing your home is patience. Making adjustments to your own space or figuring out settings in your camera can take time, but that practice is only going to make your shots better.

If the challenge of photographing your entire home feels overwhelming, take it on in bits. Build your confidence by beginning with one room and work to create that shot perfect. Only tackle the rest whenever you have successfully captured your very first space.

Great shots are all possible even with minimal gear. With a little effort your home photos will glow.

More information on photographing interiors:
How to Take Beautiful Home Photos
12 Strategies to Style Your Own Interior Photos Like a Pro

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