Bay Window – Sunlight (6000° Kelvin = Blue)
Light Fixture on Ceiling – Bulbs (3500° Kelvin = Yellow-Orange)
Dark Corners – Shadows (7500° Kelvin = Dark Blue)

So with all of these conflicting Kelvin temperatures, how could anyone shoot an accurately colored photo?

In most residential homes, you can simplify your options to either daylight balanced or tungsten balanced.  First, you must determine your primary light source, and then attempt to match the rest of the room to it.  For instance, if a large bay window illuminates the room, then opt for daylight.  If there are no windows, and the primary light source is a ceiling fixture, opt for tungsten. 

When shooting daylight interiors you may choose to work with the natural ambiance, and turn your flash off.  Ensure that your white balance is set to daylight, and use a tripod if the shutter speed is too slow to hold it still by hand.  If you need more light, use your flash (which is also daylight balanced).  More experienced photographers may choose to use a lighting system where the flash is not physically connected to the camera.  Most external flashes today can communicate with the camera or another flash via infrared signals so there is no need to string cables around the room.  You may also choose to turn off any tungsten-balanced interior lights if they affect the coloration of the photo.

When shooting tungsten lit interiors, you might again choose to work with the natural ambiance, and turn your flash off.  Just ensure your white balance is set to tungsten.  Because tungsten light is a lower Kelvin temperature than daylight, you will likely need a tripod if you want to shoot at a lower ISO.  If you need more light, you will have to use your flash.  Yes, you can convert a flash from daylight to tungsten. 

To convert your flash you will need:

1)      “Gel/Filter samples booklet” – available at all production/studio lighting stores, and many photography shops.  They are often free and rarely priced over $5. 
2)      Tape
3)      Sturdy Paper

First, loop a 1-inch wide strip of paper around your flash and tape it down.  Cut out the “CTO +.3ND” filter (Color Temperature Orange +.3 Neutral Density Filter) from the sample booklet.  This will be Lee Filter #207 (alternate brands: Cinegel #3405, E-Colour #207).  Lay it over the bulb of the flash and tape it down onto the paper.  You should end up with a scoop-like filter that can be slipped over your flash (see sample before and after).  Now you have a tungsten-balanced flash!

If you chose yellow, you’re not alone.  When we think of light we often associate it with the color yellow.  In photography however, understanding that light exists as a spectrum of colors is vitally important.  To a camera, sunlight is actually registered as blue light, which derives from its Kelvin temperature.  In fact, the color behind every photograph is based on one thing: the Kelvin temperature of the light source.  When the camera’s white balance and the light source match, only then will the photograph have accurate color.

White balance is the process of telling your camera what white is.  Once the camera knows what white is, then the whole light spectrum can be more accurately calculated.  All digital cameras have a white balance setting, and most never budge from AWB or Auto White Balance (which automatically chooses a Kelvin temperature for you).  However, if Auto White Balance was a perfect system, then one might argue that there would be no reason to have all of those other mysterious options. 

In the provided image we can see how the most common sources of light vary in their Kelvin temperatures.  The associated symbols for these light sources will vary slightly between camera brands, but should be inherently obvious in regards to their meaning.  If unsure, consult your camera manual.

For those in the real estate biz, spending time shooting photos for the purpose of online marketing, listing brochures, newspaper ads, and other various postings is an expected duty.  As more and more people are going online to shop for real estate, one thing can be said for certain:  Buyers love photos.  Yes, physically viewing a house is better, but browsing photos almost always comes first. 

Unbeknownst to them, real estate agents are expected to shoot in the most complex lighting environment possible – the average residential home.  Most rooms receive light from interior sources (i.e. light bulbs – similar to tungsten or fluorescent), and from exterior sources (i.e. the sun shining through an open window).  Add a few lamps, dark corners, and confined spaces and voila! – Instant real estate photography situation.

Stay tuned for some useful lighting tips, tricks, and techniques that will assist you when shooting your listing photos.

As a photographer, I recommend that all real estate agents shoot with an SLR, or a single lens reflex camera. That is one with detachable lenses, often a more robust camera body, and more refined controls. With an SLR camera and a little know-how, you can approach all shooting situations confidently, and routinely post quality, attractive listing photos online, and in print format. In reality though, I understand that not everyone wants to lug around a large camera, or learn specifically how to use it, so I’ve simply listed some feature recommendations for all the three main camera sizes.

Option (a): The Ultra-Compact, Point-and-Shoot Camera

Feature Recommendations:

Wide Angle Lens (38mm or wider) – Ultra compact and compact cameras almost never have lenses wider than 38mm. Get the widest you can, so that you can fit most of those large rooms into one shot.

White Balance Override – You will be shooting under a variety of lighting conditions, and it never hurts to have control.

Built in Flash – With at least the ability to shoot 9.8 ft. (3 meters) for brightening those dimly lit rooms.

Low Noise – Noise appears as impure, pixilated colors and a lack of detail. It results from shooting at high ISO, and/or in poorly lit conditions.

Easy to Navigate Menu – Find a camera with a menu system that makes sense to you. Make sure you can find what you’re looking for quickly and efficiently.

Option (b): The Mid-Size Camera

Feature Recommendations:

Wide Angle Lens (28mm to 35mm) – More options exist in mid-size cameras to achieve wider angles. Also, many of these cameras have a removable adapter ring around the lens that can accommodate “wide-angle adapters” if you fancy something wider.

Built-in Flash – With the ability to shoot 13.1 ft. (4 meters). Better yet, seek out a camera that has a “hot-shoe” to accommodate an external flash.

Aperture Range Starting at f2.8 to f3.5 – Aperture refers to the amount of light that can pass through the lens. The lower the number the more light that can pass. As photography is all about light, go for as low a number as possible.

Low Noise – see above

Lithium-ion Battery – Opt for one with plenty of “shots per recharge” so you can avoid running low on power when shooting. Carry a second battery if you want to avoid setbacks.

Option (c): The SLR (Single Lens Reflex) Camera

Feature Recommendations:

Wide Angle Lens (18mm) – Most SLR cameras come as a kit with an 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens, or similar. Check to see if these kits can be broken up and preview higher quality lenses. The advantages are better construction, faster focusing, wider aperture, and higher quality glass. Also, I recommend getting a UV filter to protect the lens from dust, scratches, and impact. A polarizing filter will be beneficial for shooting exteriors.

External Flash – The best accessory for a SLR camera is a good external flash. Don’t worry if you’re not too tech-savvy, as modern flashes have a TTL (Through the Lens) mode which automatically sets the flash in sync with your camera.

Dust Reduction – Dust and debris will inevitably get inside your camera body when changing lenses. Many SLR cameras now have sensor coatings and vibration mechanisms to alleviate this problem.

Auto Focus Points – Aim for at least five focusing points.

ISO 200-1600 – An ideal range for all your real estate photo needs.