How to Take Perfect Real Estate Photos in the Wintertime
During the winter season, places are usually blanketed with heavy snow and there is only a small amount of sunshine. Despite this, the real estate industry continues to operate, especially in terms of marketing. Havah takes this as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Surprisingly, snowfall can reach approximately 1000 inches each year and this is beneficial for anyone who has a creative eye for taking amazing pictures. We have encountered similar conditions before and have found ways to cope with the cold temperatures by using the right gear. And finding the perfect angle even with the limited daylight. Keep reading on to learn how to make your real estate photography shine in the wintertime.
Finding the Perfect Timing
Getting the Exposure Right
When cameras are set to the standard settings, they base their exposure measurements on 18% gray. This is what happens when a photographer takes a picture of a snowy landscape. This fools the camera into believing the scene is brighter than it actually is. If no modifications are made, the photographer will come away with pictures that are too dark. In which the snow looks dull and gray instead of being the bright and sparkling white they were hoping for. This makes for a lot of time spent trying to fix it in post-processing.
To address this issue, photographers must use exposure compensation. The degree of compensation necessary depends on the shooting conditions. However, often one or two stops of adjustment will be sufficient. Fortunately, digital photography makes it easier to experiment with different settings, since there is no need to worry about using up film. However, it is important to remember that too much exposure compensation can cause highlights to become overexposed.
Bracketing Exposures is the Key
Don’t rely on exposure compensation alone. You should opt to bracket your pictures and then blend them together in the post production phase. Set your camera to the highest exposure variation (EV) it can manage and place it on a tripod to do this. You can either take a few shots or use continuous shooting mode.
By bracketing your exposure, you can create three images – one slightly underexposed. Then another with the correct exposure and one slightly overexposed. This technique, when used during the golden hour or when the lighting in the scene fluctuates rapidly, will result in the perfect composition.
And Finally, The Composition
The fresh layer of snow can give any image a touch of magic, which is why it can be an ideal subject for photographers. When somebody shovels the snow and mixes it with sand and salt to melt it, it can make driveways and sidewalks look messy. It is best to discuss this with the client ahead of time if you want to create picturesque scenes that will help market the property.
If it cannot be avoided, you can still take great shots by choosing the correct angle. Try to minimize the effects of the mounds of snow. Adjust the level of your eyesight to come up with a good composition. You can take the photo from the side opposite the driveway so that it won’t distract prospective buyers with dirty piles of snow.
