According to a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects last year, the pandemic year spurred a number of home design trends, including the desire for three-season porches and the rise of sunrooms. The number of requests for home offices increased, according to 68% of the participating architects and companies, and the number of requests for exercise rooms increased by 28%.
Interior designers have predicted the introduction of trends as far-reaching as bolder colours and sentimental antiques for 2021 as individuals have sought to spruce up their houses. Interior photographers have long provided us with the motivation and inspiration to add lovely touches to our own homes, such as reclaimed wood, ceramic tiles, and macrame wall hangings.
But over the past 18 months, the business has been rattled and unexpected opportunities for imaginative, unconventional shoots have arisen. Whether you’re into real estate, architecture or lifestyle, interior photography is an essential skill in every photographer’s toolbox in 2021. To get you started, consider these top seven suggestions.
1. Question
Interiors tell stories, so do your research to learn more about the space before you shoot. Homeowners, architectural firms, interior designers, realtors, etc. will prove to be some of your best resources because they know the history of the interior and its unique selling points.
Meet with them, discuss your plans and keep the lines of communication open. Work with your clients to create a detailed shot list that covers everything from classic wide-angle shots to tighter shots of specific elements that make a space special. After all, it’s about cooperation. The more you know about the designer’s or architect’s vision, the better you can translate it into images.
2. Turn Off The Lights
There are no strict “rules” in photography, but this tip comes close. Ceiling lights can easily throw off your white balance with unwanted yellow and create unsightly shadows, so turn them off and review how natural light is getting into the space. . If you are in control of the shooting time, schedule it on a cloudy day or during golden hours and open the windows in the area for soft lighting.
When working with natural light, transparent curtains can act as a nice diffuser. For slower shutter speeds, you’ll also need a tripod, which will also help keep the lines straight and straight. Of course, you can always use a reflector to fill in the shadow areas. While some interior photographers swear by only natural light, this is not always realistic.
If natural light doesn’t interfere, feel free to bring flash units and diffusers to replicate the “magic hour” aesthetic. Reflected and diffused light creates a more natural look. If possible, check the space before shooting and take a few test shots to assess your lighting needs.
3. Get Your Lines In Order
The first step to obtaining those precise horizontal and vertical lines is to use a tripod; if you can, choose a geared head rather a ball head for greater control over the minute details. For further assistance in framing your photo and aligning everything, you can enable gridlines on your camera.
The last step is to fine-tune your lines in post-production; this is crucial when using a wide-angle lens because they can cause unintended distortion. For an appealingly impartial picture of the area, interior photographers frequently opt to shoot straight on and from waist level or doorknob height. If you go too high, your lines could be crooked. However, if you go too low, you’ll end up with the surfaces of tables and other pieces of furniture, which are normally undesirable.
