How to take interior photos
Published: 14.09.2021
Practically everyone has had to choose an apartment or a hotel room. When choosing the right option, we look at interior photos and depending on whether we like the image or not, we make a decision. High-quality interior photos help not only realtors. Any restaurant, store, club, theater, museum needs interior photography. The more attractive the photos are, the greater the chance that people will want to visit the place depicted in the photo. This is how photography helps businesses sell services, as it can showcase the advantageous aspects of any space. However, taking interior photos is not always easy. It requires professional equipment and knowledge of how to properly compose a shot, choose lighting, and angles. Let's consider what you need to know to get good interior photos.
What equipment will be needed for shooting interiors?
It is best to photograph interiors with a wide-angle lens. To choose the right perspective, you will need a lens with a focal length of 16-24 mm. Ideally, several interchangeable lenses will be useful. Individual elements of the interior will be easier to shoot with a normal lens with a focal length of 35-50 mm, rather than a wide-angle lens. If you want to showcase small patterns or details of the interior, you will need a macro lens.
A good interior photo is impossible to take without a tripod. When shooting, you will need to set the ISO to the minimum to get a clear shot. Even the slightest movement can introduce noise in the photo, so shoot with a long exposure and use a tripod for stabilization. It is also helpful to use a remote shutter release. Set the tripod lower than eye level to achieve more voluminous and deep photos.
How to choose lighting for interior photography
It is best to take indoor photos in natural daylight. Take them early in the morning or before sunset, when the sunlight is not too bright and aggressive, so you will get softer light in the photos. Use all available sources of lighting in the room to illuminate dark corners where sunlight does not reach from the window.
In rooms without windows, maximize the use of artificial light by using studio lamps, reflectors - anything that will help you create bright and clear photos. Don't be afraid to use flash, but be careful to avoid reflections and glare in windows and mirrors. When using flash, it is also worth turning off the room's night lighting if you need to show how the room looks at different times of the day.
How to organize space when shooting interior design
Even a professional photographer with top-notch equipment will not be able to create an attractive interior photo if the walls are scuffed or there is clutter in the room. Before agreeing to take interior photos, make sure that the room looks presentable, with no peeling wallpaper, exposed wires, and everything is tidy and neatly arranged.
Try to remove all unnecessary items from the room, they distract from the interior and give the impression of clutter. But a sterile interior also looks boring, creating the impression that no one lives there and the room is simply empty. Add a little life to the interior: a thrown blanket, a half-empty cup of coffee, an open laptop or a book on the table will add a touch of personality to the room and give a sense of human presence.
How to choose the right perspective
There are cases when it is difficult to capture an entire room at once, choose the right angle and place for shooting. Do not photograph just one wall of the room, as the image will look flat and boring. Take a picture of a corner where two walls and interior items are visible, the shot will gain depth and volume, making the room appear larger. Open the windows as much as possible to let in more light and show the view outside. If there are panoramic windows in the interior, be sure to capture the one with a view, as this will be an additional advantage when choosing a room.
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It is better to take photos horizontally, as the room will appear wider and more spacious. However, individual interior items, such as stairs or paintings, are better to be photographed vertically. Experiment with the choice of perspective, take interior shots from different positions and angles, set the tripod at different heights. Initially, it is difficult to determine where to take the shot from, so try several options. Make sure that the vertical lines are straight, the angles are clear, not curved or blurry, otherwise you will not get a good interior photo.
Pay attention to interior details
When shooting interior design, it is important to show the overall view of the room, but that doesn't mean that details are not important. Often, designers and architects add a special touch to their creations thanks to small details. If there is an interesting fresco or mosaic in the building, take a separate shot of it, as it will be difficult to see the details in a zoomed-out photo. If there is an unusual vase or painting in the room, be sure to photograph them. Rooms that have something unique, something that grabs attention and sticks in the memory, are the most memorable. Don't be afraid to experiment, try different angles, lighting options, settings, and shooting techniques for interior photography. There are no strict rules for interior photos, as every space is different and requires an individual approach. Only with experience will you understand how to best photograph a particular place to showcase it in the most favorable light.
Even professional photographers do not always manage to capture everything perfectly, and often have to further process photos in graphic editors. To start, practice taking photos at home or in friends' apartments. The more you photograph, the better your shots will turn out. And the most original and successful interior photos can be printed by ordering a Light album.
