Photography is to 'write with light'

Light is what shows us our world, our environment and ultimately gives mood and feeling to the spaces we occupy.

Architectural and interior photography is all about conveying this to your viewer.

This article is an overview that will help you to take better photos of your property, inside and out and is aimed at the novice photographer who just wants to get out there and get better images from their cameras.

The few simple techniques listed below will really improve the quality of your images.

Get a tripod – it is the first step to improving your photos, especially interiors.

Take your camera into any camera shop and try some out, you don’t need to spend a lot of money, but your photos will look as though you have!  Interior lighting is often so subtle that blurring occurs if you take the photo without the benefit of a tripod and the best results come from using available lighting, rather than the flash, wherever possible.

The other benefit of using a tripod is that it allows you to compose your image in the best way, rather than by just sitting it on the nearest available bench or table as this limits the composition and look of the image.

Frame your image - bringing your property to life through the lens is all about clean, clear and simple images. Ask yourself what is the point of the photo you are about to take? What are you trying to say? What will the viewer be looking for?  This should be your main focus.  Some examples of focus points that should help you to frame a better photograph:

• The fireplace makes the room welcoming.
• The sitting area faces the view.
• The room is large, spacious and uncluttered.
• The bath offers a view.
• The shower can fit 2 people.
• The kitchen is well-equipped and spacious.
• The accommodation has a private pathway to the doorway with parking.
• The building is heritage and well-maintained.
• The gardens are lush, with a private sitting area.

"Intersection of thirds"  - this strengthens the overall image by helping to concentrate the eye on the main subject. The best way to explain the “intersection of thirds” is to divide the frame into nine equal segments - two horizontal lines dividing the plane at 1/3rd intervals and two vertical lines dividing the plane at 1/3rd intervals.

The intersection of these lines is where you would place a main point of interest for a subject.  As you compose, you would put major planes on the lines – horizons on the horizontal lines, buildings and trees on the vertical lines.

Remove the clutter – it just detracts from the main focus of the image.  Make the main point of the photo the “hero” and remove anything that is distracting, such as odd plants behind couches, random objects on tables/benches, anything that doesn’t make sense to you or add to the effect you wish to create. Keep it clean and clear.

If the shower curtain does not add to the image, pull it out of frame. If the bin is large, put it under the bench or remove it. Allow space around your objects.

However, good use of objects can be used to build depth to an image, particularly in the foreground, such as an overhanging tree branch for an exterior or a corner of the couch to give scale to the size of the living room.

The angle is vital – particularly with interiors/exteriors.  Always have your camera level so that the walls are straight and so are the ceiling and the floor.

Change the angle away from normal standing height, as this is what we always see and it can be boring. Professional photographers rarely shoot from standing height. Try lower down from the point of view from a chair, but don’t get too tricky! The point is to subtly build an image to bring your eye to focus on your main subject.

Allow the viewer to connect with how the room works by opening doors to connect this space to other spaces in the building.  However, if the room that the door opens to is dark in the image, close the door. No one likes dark rooms as they portray dark moods.

Build depth in your images – by using objects in the room and move the furniture to suit the frame you have made. The room is not fixed so think about what the camera sees.  Don’t push the furniture to the walls; move that chair into shot or move the table so you can see it. Perhaps the lamps should be in frame, or a corner of the rug. If there is a dark space or too much of a wall, move something into that area that gives it life.

Make sure your image tells a story and remember that a detail can be more powerful than seeing the whole picture.  A detail shows a personal touch, a quality, and an important feature that sets you apart. Sometimes this is lost in wide images, which cannot get close enough. Look at the lifestyle magazines as they do this very well.

Kylie Hood is one of Australia's leading photographers.  She is contracted by high profile magazines such as Travel and Leisure, delicious and Vogue Entertaining and Travel.  She is also happy to work directly for clients.  Kylie specialises in interiors - some of her favourite photos can be seen at www.kyliehoodfolio.com  She is based in Brisbane and can be contacted on 0417715614.