Knowing the correct camera settings can make a difference in your real estate business. It can add value to the overall transaction. Your clients will recognize it.
Furthermore, it can help in getting attention from prospective buyers and securing more listings, thereby, leading to selling your property.
Before anything else, it’s a must that you invest in a high-quality camera. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive. But don’t focus too much on the body. Instead, get some funds to help you purchase excellent lenses and equipment.
As for the megapixels, most experts recommend getting around 16MP. You don’t need more than that unless you’re going to use the photos for billboard ads.
If you only use the photos online, then don’t bother getting a high MP camera. The reason for this is that the photos are still compressed when uploaded.
In this real estate photography guide, let’s take a look at some of the settings of the camera that you can adjust to get excellent shots.
Opt for a wide-angle lens
They’re vital to getting high-quality results. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the focal length of the lens. The focal length influences the type of shots it’s ideal for. It’s the measurement of the lens’ magnification in millimeters. The higher the length is, the more you can magnify the image.
When choosing the right lens, opt for wide angle lenses that are 0mm to 30mm. They’re ideal for architecture, landscape, and real estate. Opt for 12-24mm if you’re using cropped sensor cameras. For full frames, choose 16 to 35 mm. If real estate photography is part of your niche, then you must definitely invest in a camera with a wide-angle lens.
Use a tripod
The tripod is vital in any photography gigs, especially in real estate. It’s beneficial in taking photos while in low light situations. That’s why, if you’re having a late night shoot, a tripod is an absolute must. Since real estate photography requires photos with a long exposure, your camera must be stable enough, and the tripod can be helpful.
As regards to shutter speed, you can use a longer one to avoid noise in the images. It’s also useful if your tripod has a level to make sure that you’re shooting level horizons. When you’re shooting shiny surfaces, like a swimming pool, you should consider bringing a circular polarizer filter. It’s useful in minimizing reflections.
Furthermore, a tripod can help you in HDR photography.
Have more than one flash
Some real estate photographers use it while others don’t. However, it’s important to remember that the flash of a regular DSLR isn’t enough. Then again, if you opt to use flash, you should invest in an off-camera flash. And make sure to use wireless triggers.
You must have a portable light in your kit all the time. Use one flash for small rooms and two or more lights for large areas.
Use light stands
The light stand that comes with your camera may fall off while shooting some images. Lights stands can come in handy, especially if the area has no furniture where you could place your light.
Never be afraid to break rules
There are rules of real estate photography that you need to follow to ensure you’re getting quality shots. But don’t be afraid to break those rules, when necessary.
You need to correct some distortions in post-production, especially if you’re using a wide-angle lens. It’s also vital that you give some breathing room along the borders. In this way, you still have room to crop the photo.
Be ready to shoot the front of the home
When getting the best shot, you must spend most of your time shooing the front of the home. It’s the front shot that’s usually displayed on the flyers and other marketing materials.
To get the best shot, make sure to photograph it at a time when the sun is behind you when you’re facing the home’s front to shoot it. In this way, you’ll get even exposure without making the home appear too dark. Get an angle that will show most of the home’s front door and entryway.
Focus on the room and not its furniture
Since you’re not here for Ikea ads, you must not focus your photo on coffee tables. Instead, focus on the overall living space.
Doing so will help you show much room. The first shot should be to display the living area of the house. It’s because buyers want to get a sense of how the overall feel like of the home.
Learn how Aperture Priority Mode works
This mode can help you get great shots. It’s your best bet in getting consistent great shots. You can start at f8 if you’re not sure what aperture to use. From there, you can begin using other adjustments.
Control the white balance
When controlling the white balance, it’s ideal to do it manually. In this way, you can prevent photos with off-color hues. Although white balance can be corrected using Photoshop, you can get the best results when you get it right when you take the shot.
For instance, if you’re shooting the exterior of the house on a sunny day, use the white balance setting with a sun icon. And switch to cloud icon on cloudy days.
We hope that these tips will help you get some great shots that you can use for your listings.
