How to take great photos of real estate with these lighting tips
60% more page clicks are attracted to professional photos that showcase real estate in the same price range than photos with any other property types. The lighting in a photograph for sale should be conducive to creating an inviting, cozy environment. The use of white clouds to diminish rough sunlight is an excellent idea on overcast or rainy days. As a camera setting, you should use a shutter speed of between 0.5 and 1/60 seconds, an aperture of f/8 or f/11, and an ISO of 400 or less. Read on to learn all the real estate photography lighting tips you need to create great photos.
1. Maximize Natural Lighting
2. Try the HDR Technique
If you want to get all of the details in every shot, it’s best to take a bunch of them. Even the most expensive camera can’t capture an entire range of light in just one picture. Bracketing photography is a technique that provides several exposures at various shutter speeds so you can blend pictures using real estate photography software. The main benefit is that it captures more detailed pictures, specifically the highlights and shadows. If you want to obtain natural outcomes, the best way to do HDR real estate photography is to use local adjustments to restore highlights and shadows only when required while the properly exposed areas stay the same.
3. Use the Same Lighting Method for Consistent Results
There are many techniques and methods you may employ to improve the lighting for real estate photographs, but once you have settled on one, you must stick to it for the entire photoshoot. There is no benefit to using flash for the next room if the first one was shot with natural light. The photographs will therefore look unprofessional and random. Because the viewer will be impressed by the natural light, having all rooms lit is likely to produce a far more favorable impression. Before the photoshoot, you should walk the venue to pick out the most effective lighting strategy. The same strategy is applicable for short commercial real estate photographs that feature a group of houses that an online agency will advertise.
4. Avoid Mixed Lighting
The color temperature of the photography light bulbs and light sources may vary. You can’t always guarantee the uniform, neutral tone of ideal real estate photography lighting due to the difference in color temperature. The color of the sunlight falling through a window is also different depending on the time of day and the property’s position. Furthermore, light fixtures can be either warm or cool, and the light produced by the flash resembles daylight. The result is a blue or red colour cast if the lighting sources aren’t aligned. To correct this issue, you must disengage all the lights so that the scenario is only lit by natural light or your own flash. Alternatively, you can employ gel filters if your camera’s flash doesn’t have the same color as the sunlight or the existing light fixtures.
5. Measure Light Levels with a Light Meter
A light meter is an essential part of any real estate photography equipment set since it can be used to judge the light levels in a scene and set the correct exposure. Some cameras come with integrated light meters, but you will usually have to buy one separately. Consistent and accurate exposures are one of the essential aspects of professional real estate photography.
6. Use a Flash to Mimic Natural Light
Taking indoor photos using natural lighting can be both beneficial and a hassle, particularly in the event that strong casted shadows need to be dealt with later on. Without using additional flash units, the best way to simulate natural lighting is to use a single flash with your camera. You have a variety of alternatives, ranging from light stands to handheld flashes, that each have their advantages. Godox V860II-N is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a flash that can be used for real estate photography.
The Yongnuo YN560 IV is a fantastic alternative if you’re looking for a flash that is suitable for real estate photography. In order to produce natural lighting, it is critical that you maintain the position of the light, which is why it is critical to ensure windows don’t provide enough light. Try to get a diffused, soft light from the same position by firing the flash at the same wall as before.
In high-end real estate photography, it’s critical to steer clear of shooting with the flash pointed directly forward, as this will produce harsh shadows. It is also critical to set the ideal exposure. In addition, you may alter the flash output to specific areas of the image to create a more natural light. If a smaller area of the photo is covered by your flash, you may only require one flash unit. However, if you need to light up a larger area, you may require more than one flash unit.
7. Bounce Your Flash to Diffuse the Light
Experiment with different angles and positions to bounce the camera flash. You can use the ceiling and walls to bounce the camera flash in a variety of ways. It is important to distribute the light evenly across the room by bouncing the flash in different directions. Aim the flash at the wall behind you, the ceiling, or a side wall to produce a diffuse light. When taking pictures outdoors on overcast days, it is smart to bounce the flash at the sky to reduce light and distribute it to the scene. Avoid shining the flash at the glass because it can result in bad flash hotspots.
8. Use Continuous Light Sources
You must keep your artificial light sources constantly turned on throughout a photoshoot with continuous lighting. Whether you’re using light fixtures or strobe lights for photography, the most important thing here is to keep the light turned on continuously for as long as you’re taking photos. This lets you view the lighting conditions as you shoot. In addition, you will always be able to identify if you need to add additional light sources or use more powerful lights. Accomplish this by utilizing modifiers such as umbrellas and softboxes to diffuse the light. The color temperature of the lights you use must match your desired lighting conditions. Select daylight or around 5,600k to achieve natural ambient light. You should not use any unwanted light sources while the environment is only lit by your continuous lights.
