Could this be my first official reader request? Very exciting.
Jennifer is an interior designer and writer from Detroit, and she also writes a blog called Design Hole which is rich with design-loving booty and heaps of interior design tips. She recently emailed me asking if I had some pointers for taking interior photographs, and suggested that this might be a topic fellow bloggers would enjoy since you write blogs too which require nice interior photos! So let’s give it a go…
I just happened to be working with my (blog)house guest, photographer David Finato the other day, so I thought I’d pose the question to him. While we were indulging in gooey stroopwafels and hot chocolates during our morning tea break, he shared these tips with me for Jennifer…
“Use natural light and a tripod.”
Brilliant and simple, and I couldn’t agree more. The two biggest photo faux pas are those taken with overhead lighting and flash, and those that are not still and clear from camera shake. If you don’t have a tripod handy, then find a level surface to set your camera on. Added with just using available light and you should see a tremendous difference with your images.
From a stylists view, I would add ‘look at the detail’ when you look through the lense. It is practice practice practice as your eye will get more attune to tiny details. As an exercise, simply try to colour co-ordinate at first – if you see a colour stand out in the space as you look through the lense add more of it with similar tinted homewares. Try this and see what happens!
Earthy tones of brown and green stood out the most in this house so I brought it out as much as possible by pulling out homewares that complimented these tones, adding little dots of other colours and unique pieces to bring a little subtle zing into each image.
Let me know how you go and I’d love to see your results. Try a little ‘before and after’ and see the difference! These are great tips for My Heart Wanders too. And if you have a reader request of your own, be sure to leave it in a comment below, or email me. Thanks Jennifer!
Photography by Michael Wee, styling by Pia.
Thanks for the tips!
March 26th, 2008 | #
ooh, i had been looking for some photography tips. i’ll try this at home. thanks, pia and david!
March 26th, 2008 | #
found you via decor8 – lovely blog and beautiful photographs – will visit often
arounna
March 26th, 2008 | #
Thank you so much! This came at just the right time as I have some dreaded interiors to document. To clarify, the interiors are not dreaded but the shoot is.
March 26th, 2008 | #
pia – great tips! thank you!
March 26th, 2008 | #
i was completely and utterly needing this. thanks Pia Jane. I’m out to purchase a tripod this weekend.
March 26th, 2008 | #
love the shot w/chair. great syling!
March 26th, 2008 | #
cool! i’m so pleased, I’d love to see how you all go – if you post your new shots let me know! px
March 26th, 2008 | #
Great ideas, thanks! I have one other question for you- where do you buy your gooey stroopwafels??? I haven’t had them in YEARS! I haven’t been able to find any since I moved far from the little Dutch store that carried them… I miss them! 🙁
March 27th, 2008 | #
Hi NataJane, fortunately for me I am in the heart of stroopwafel country, that being Holland! If I hear of any places that sell them in your area I will let you know. They are pretty scrumptious I must agree, I suggest it’s worth a little holiday in Amsterdam for you to enjoy some! Along with Frites met mayonnaise, bitterballen, croquetten and Grolsch beer. mmmmmmm.
March 27th, 2008 | #
Oh no! I didn’t realize you were in Holland… I agree, they are an excellent reason for vacationing there! I’ll have to keep looking. Thanks for letting me know!
March 28th, 2008 | #
i will be happy to post you some nataJane, just let me know!
March 29th, 2008 | #