7 Elements of Interior Design Series: Part 4 – Understanding ‘Light’.

Exploring the ‘Light’ element in real estate photography within the context of the seven elements of interior design for compelling compositions.

In part 3 of this 7-part series exploring the seven elements of interior design tailored for real estate photographers, we discuss ‘Light’. Developing a basic understanding of the 7 elements of interior design as a real estate photographer assists you in easily identifying the elements (within an interior or exterior space) in which you can work with to create a more visually striking composition.

The ‘light’ element is the core for the patterns, colours and textural elements of a room or space, and can be either natural or artificial. The goal is to balance the two types of lighting within the space to complement the room type during day and night. This is where the HDR technique for real estate photography comes in handy.

Elements of Interior Design
An example of a bathroom relying solely on ‘Artificial’ light.
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A bedroom filled with ‘natural’ light from the sun protruding through the glass doors and windows.

There are three types of artificial lighting including accent, task and ambient, with the latter being the foundational source of artificial lighting for a room. These lights include ceiling lights, wall sconces, and floor lamps.

Task lighting is used for a specific purpose such as reading, and accent lighting is used to highlight décor and artwork. Examples of task lights include vanity and swing arm lamps and desk lighting, and examples of accent lighting are LED strip lighting and robe lighting.

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An example of ‘Accent’ lighting to highlight features of the bathroom.
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An example of ‘Abmient’ lighting to help produce a specific mood within the room.
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An exmaple of ‘task’ lighting (on the desk) to provide light for a practical use.

Study how natural light penetrates the rooms at different times throughout the day and consider which style of lights will complement the form and functionality of the space.

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Looking for new clients?

Connect with real estate agents at HauzPhotographers.com (United States) or HauzPhotographers.com.au (Australia).

Want more real estate photography resources?

Check out the books and online courses here

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