"A picture is worth a thousand words" is a saying that best describes the role of images in print materials, more so in advertisements which include those intended for real estate properties. The challenge now for sellers is how to come up with professional-looking photos that will catch the buyers' attention. Interior Designer and Renovation Consultant, Jane Eyles-Bennett, shares in Domain that while many sellers depend on the shots taken by their real estate agents, a growing trend nowadays is to present properties in a more personal perspective. She then gives the following tips on how to come up with pictures that are of professional standards:
1. Make sure that the property is clean and presentable.
Remove clutter, set furniture stylishly, ensure surfaces are clean, and the garden and yard look trimmed and terrific. If you are unsure of interior arrangements, consult an interior designer or home stager.
2. Light it up.
Natural light may be used to suggest warmth, airiness and brightness. Improve Photography recommends opening all of the windows to let in bright, clean, and natural light into the room. In the absence or lack of natural light, consider using artificial light and/or filters, plus any lighting that is available in the room. However, you will need to avoid glaring light and shooting towards the sun (against-the-light instances).
3. Don't use your phone's camera.
Use a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera or other specialist equipment. It may be something you own, buy or borrow.
4. Use wide angle lens.
To fit most of a room in the shot, consider using a wide angle lens, but be careful of distortion. Improve Photography suggests placing an area of carpet closest to the camera (instead of furniture, a wall, etc.) to make the room look extremely large. The super wide angle lens distorts distances and makes things closest to the camera look larger than they appear in real life.
5. Create a focal point.
You need not show an entire room in one crammed photo. Choose a highlight, such as a barbecue area, bathroom mosaic, blazing fireplace, blossoming or stonework feature. You may experiment with shots for balance and/or symmetry. Exclude furniture items that will make the view look crowded or busy.
6. Experiment with your shots.
Try taking shots from a different angle of each room, and from a different height.
7. Compare shots.
Study shots of other properties and see what you like about them. Remember which shots work and those that don't, as you plan your own shots.
8. Touch up with the help of photo editing software.
Generally, just try to "clean up" the shot, so you may experiment cropping and lighting. The changes you make should be cosmetic so as not to mislead potential buyers or tenants in any way.
