Interior photography shots like the ones you see in furniture and decoration catalogs may seem impossible to achieve as a photographer, but they don’t have to be. With RoomBox you can create catalog-quality interior images in a very short time and in the simplest way thanks to all the advantages offered by the 3D world. Could RoomBox be an alternative for real photos or only for images taken in 3D programs? It could definitely be the best option, being cheaper and a lot more flexible.
Pick the most interesting view
If you ask a skilled interior photographer, he’ll tell you to go around the room, shoot the back, front, and sides, then point the camera up and down slightly. You will be urged to incorporate the floor whenever possible. Rooms with no flooring have a tendency to feel floaty and unsettling.
Many photographers believe that getting down on your knees and shooting from there is essential.
Your catalog image should be able to communicate a tale. While capturing the overall sense of the space, zoom in and focus on the little elements, such as the vignettes produced on coffee tables, bedside tables, dressers, and bar carts. Continue shooting. You can never have too many photographs.
Let there be light
Another piece of advice from photographers is to use natural lighting wherever possible. A bright window, on the other hand, should be avoided because it might cause exposure and white balance issues.
Another suggestion is to position the window to the side. Draw the drapes or shades if there is too much light coming in. Photographing into the light is never a good idea, but bright light in the backdrop is preferable than interior illumination.
You might want to photograph your room at several times of the day to discover which lighting works best. In general, Eastward accommodations should be booked in the morning and Westward rooms in the afternoon.
Northern and Southern exposure rooms should be photographed when they are at their brightest. It’s advisable to avoid shooting on a gloomy day. If rain is expected, postpone the shoot as long as possible till the sun shines again.
Photograph your room during dawn or dusk, when the sun is just rising or just about to set, for a gentler, softer light. A beautiful interior shot can be created by capturing a sunset.
If you need to use a flash, use one with an adjustable head and direct it up toward the ceiling to bounce the light from there to create a more diffused light if you’re photography at night or on a darker day.
This is why in RoomBox we have incorporated such a complete light management system. Imagine having control over the light that enters a scene, being able to vary it to your liking, playing with the inclination of the Sun, switching between day to night with one click of a button. All this will allow you to obtain the best catalog image at all times with infinite light variations.
Choose a location
What exactly are you attempting to capture? What is it about your space that interests you? You might want to stroll around and photograph it from several angles. Perhaps your original notion isn’t as well-received as another’s.
Take as many photos as possible. The more photos you shoot, the more likely you are to come across a truly amazing snap. Taking a picture of the full room isn’t always essential. When a portion of the room is left out of a shot, it might make the catalog image more striking. You may zoom in and out.
You will be amazed at how different your space will look from different focal points. As you select your space try to capture the emotion you are trying to create. Find the space and the angle that will best capture your message.
In RoomBox you can make use of a walk view-type camera system. With that, you will be able to go through the scene as if you were in it, and choose that precise angle in the easiest way possible.
Find your center of gravity
You’ll need to figure out where you want to concentrate within the frame and what you’re capturing. What is your focus? Is it the way the room is set up? Is it the fireplace or the framed Matisse above the enormous turquoise couch that draws your attention? Perhaps you’re drawn to the antique Grand Steinway in the corner, which stands beautifully.
You’ll need to clear out unneeded clutter and accessories once you’ve established your focus.
Every good catalog image conveys a story. A few accessories, such as a few pillows on the couch, a candelabra, or some silver-framed photographs beautifully displayed on the huge black piano, can offer just enough detail to tell your story without diverting attention away from the main subject.
Both landscape and portrait photography are available. While many people prefer to shoot in landscape mode, portrait mode can add a lot of drama and impact to a shot.
Declutter
For a nice shot, even the most tastefully decorated interiors must be decluttered and streamlined. Look around to see what is obstructing your vision. Remove cords, superfluous telephones, and hardware if you’re photographing a home office, for example. At the very least, writing supplies should be removed or stored and exhibited.
Remove any trash baskets, sculptures, or other items that appear to be obstructing the main point. The desk space should be tidy and devoid of clutter. Accent elements, such as a tiny arrangement of tulips or a picture frame, can help to improve the photograph’s quality. To give color and a lived-in sense to the kitchen, replace huge and unwieldy electrical equipment with large bowls of fresh fruit.
Make sure all of the counters and cabinets are spotless. If you’re going to photograph linens, make sure they’re clean and ironed if feasible. Make sure the bed is well-made and the pillows are fluffed and neatly aligned in the bedroom. Ensure that all of the photo frames are hung as straight as possible. A lopsided painting can be extremely distracting. Replace all of the clutter on your bedside table with a modest bud vase and a book. When photographing interiors, you’ll discover that less is more.
In RoomBox, the task of collecting and arranging objects is as easy as dragging, moving, and placing them in the right place. If only it were that simple in real life!
Set the tone for your room
You want your interior to appear lived in rather than empty and cluttered. You want your shot to tell a story, and the best way to do so is to stage your area with the right equipment and accessories. Look through periodicals and catalogs for inspiration. In RoomBox you have various decoration items available to use as props to make the room more realistic.
RoomBox as your tool
Shooting interiors can be challenging and also pretty expensive. What if we told you that you can save time AND money by creating a digital catalog image instead?
With RoomBox you can recreate any space and then take as many high-quality catalog images as you like. Thanks to its fully customizable natural light settings, you can capture any time of the day. You can also adjust the height, orientation, and even where you want to place the camera with your walk view. And all this without having to travel and plan a photo session. Your catalog will show off some images that will have nothing to envy real photos. So… is RoomBox an alternative?
