Quick Tips for Better Photos
Research is showing that photography is a very important aspect of selling a home these days. If so, why is it that so many agents take their own photos? Are they also professional photographers? Let’s face it, they’re not.
We know the answer. It can get expensive to hire a professional photographer for every listing. And while few agents match the knowledge, skill, and expertise of a true professional, with a few simple tips, the quality of many people’s photos could be enhanced immensely.
Here are some very basic suggestions and quick tips that might help take your photos to the next level of quality. Tips that can help you create… A Difference You Can See.
EQUIPMENT
Camera – Let’s start with your camera. There are a lot of cameras that will work well for real estate photography, so it’s hard to pick just one. But you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a good camera. In fact, a lot of the ‘point-and-shoot’ cameras will work fine. And it doesn’t need to have a gazillion megapixels either. One with 3-4 megapixels is more than enough for anything online, and most any printing needs you’ll encounter.
Wide-Angle Lens – It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to have a wide-angle lens. You’re probably going to want one in the 23mm-25mm range. Much less than about 18mm and your shots can start to take on an obvious “fish-eye” look, or exaggerated perspective. And much more than about 28mm, and you’re not going to see enough in the shot. But not all cameras have a wide-angle lens, nor can you put one on them. So, if your camera doesn’t have one, you need to buy one, borrow one, or get someone else to take your pictures. It’s that important.
Tripod – Many agents try to get by just doing handheld shots. And some do okay at it. But a tripod makes it far easier to keep your camera steady and eliminate potential blur. And it’s an absolute necessity for low-light situations, with slower shutter speeds. But a tripod can also be a great tool for getting difficult shots. For example, you can hold it over your head for a higher-angle shot. Or, use it to reach into a bathroom and shoot without seeing your reflection in the mirror.
Memory Cards – This may seem overly basic, but make sure you have enough ‘memory’ with you to store the photos you will be taking. Know in advance how many photos you can fit on a single memory card, and roughly how many photos you will be taking – then double it to be safe. Then have enough memory to handle it. Or, a laptop you can offload your photos to.
LIGHTING
Natural Light – There’s nothing quite like the look of natural light. And, unless you have the lighting skills of a professional, no flash can match its warmth and color. Even regular house lights can be better than a flash. So, turn on every light you can, open the blinds, the drapes, maybe even light the fireplace. But when you shoot, try to keep any direct sunlight from the windows behind you. Otherwise, it can “blow-out” your shot. In automatic mode, your camera should adapt for lower light levels, and can often do fine without using your flash at all. So, shut it off and take your shots. Then take the same shots with your flash on. That way you at least have an option.
Golden Hours – As long as we’re talking about natural lighting, an hour or two after the sun rises and before it sets can be the best time of day for shooting – indoors and out. It’s that time of day when the light is soft, warm, and golden, and can add an incredible look to your photos. It’s well worth the effort to schedule your photo sessions around these hours.
Overcast Days – Typically, you should avoid shooting exterior shots on overcast days. If you know what you’re doing, an overcast day can actually work for you and soften harsh shadows. But for most people, it just results in washed-out colors and flat looking photos. However, that same soft light you get on an overcast day can make your interior shots easier.
BEFORE YOU SHOOT
Clear The Clutter – This should go without saying, but the home should be clean before you shoot. This includes moving ALL miscellaneous items and clutter completely out of the shot. There’s nothing that will spoil a shot faster than a stack of papers sitting on the table. Or, a trash can in the driveway. Or, a pair of shoes by the doorway. Toys on the floor. Even electrical cords should be moved to get them out of the shot. Take the time to clean and clear the clutter for every picture you take.
People & Pets – People and pets fall into the same category as clutter. Unless they’re professional actors or models, they should NOT be in your pictures. The same goes for pets, and their paraphernalia. Move the birdcage, move the dog’s bowl, move the litter-box, etc. In short, people and pets should not be in your shots – regardless of what the seller wants. You’re showcasing their house, not ‘Fido.’
Photo Resolution – If you want your photos to look crisp and clear, even at full-screen on a computer, they should probably be shot at a resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels (.77 megapixels). And if you’re also going to print them, you may want to increase that to somewhere around 1600 x 2000 pixels (3.2 megapixels). So, before you shoot, check your camera’s menu and make sure your resolution is set high enough.
COMPOSE YOUR SHOT
Perspective – You can easily create a little visual ‘intrigue’ in an otherwise boring shot by just adding some perspective. It’s simple. Don’t shoot anything straight on. Shooting at a slight angle, or a couple of feet above or below normal eye-level, can really add nice visual depth. And depth adds dimension, which makes your pictures more intriguing and aesthetically pleasing. This holds true for both indoor and outdoor shots.
Framing – When framing your shot, or positioning the object you’re shooting in the viewfinder, a simple rule-of-thumb is to never put it dead-center in the picture. Always frame it slightly off to one side or the other. There’s something called the “Rule of Thirds,” but we’ll get into that another time. Also, make sure whatever you’re shooting is angled toward the center of the picture, or facing back into the shot.
TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT
Shadows & Reflections – As obvious as this may seem, you see pictures all of the time with the photographer’s shadow on the ground, their reflection in a mirror, or in a window. Or, you will see the reflection of their flash in a mirror or window. Nothing says ‘amateur’ faster. And oftentimes it’s simple to avoid. Just look before you shoot, and then look again after you shoot. If you can’t avoid it, you’ll need to fix it later.
Review – One of the benefits of a digital camera is being able to check every shot as soon as you take it. But instead of just glancing at it, study it. Look for all the things talked about above — shadows, reflections, clutter, and other things that don’t belong in the picture. Look at the framing and make sure you’re not cropping something that’s important. When in doubt, shoot it again.
Photo Quantity – With a digital camera, there’s no film to process, which means it’s free to shoot as much as you want. So, click away. Take multiple shots of everything. And if you know how to adjust your exposure, ‘bracket’ your shots by taking 3-5 identical shots with different exposures. The point is simply to shoot, shoot, and then shoot some more.
Shot List – A written shot-list is a great tool and is easy to do. Not that it will make your pictures look any better, but it can certainly help in organizing them. When you’re taking your pictures, just jot down exactly what you’re shooting and any related details that aren’t readily evident. For example: new carpet or custom drapes, appliances that stay with home, wood-burning fireplace, etc. Not only will this help you recall the room you were shooting, it comes in handy when highlighting specific features.
CONCLUSION
While these are just a few basic tips to help make your pictures better and the process easier, we hope you at least found something that was a good reminder for you, or something you can put into practice immediately.
Check back often, as we will be providing move detailed tips and tricks to shooting better photos.
