Quick settings
Real estate interiors are the opposite of handheld low-light work: the camera sits on a tripod, so you can use a low ISO and a long shutter speed. Typical starting points:
- Mode: Manual, or Aperture Priority.
- Aperture: around f/8, within a range of roughly f/7.1 to f/11, for deep depth of field and good lens sharpness.
- ISO: base ISO, often 100, to keep noise low.
- Shutter speed: whatever gives a correct exposure; it is the setting you change from room to room.
- File format: RAW.
- White balance: auto or a set Kelvin value, corrected in editing.
Why f/8 and why low ISO
Smaller apertures keep foreground and background sharp, which matters when the whole room must read clearly. Very small apertures such as f/16 or smaller can reduce sharpness through diffraction, so many photographers stay near the middle. Because the camera is locked down, there is no penalty for a slow shutter speed, so there is little reason to raise ISO.
Tripod and timer
A sturdy tripod, plus a 2-second timer or remote trigger, prevents camera shake during long exposures. Keep the camera level so vertical lines stay straight; many cameras have a built-in electronic level or grid.
Bracketing
Windows are often much brighter than the room, and a single frame may not hold both. Auto exposure bracketing, commonly three or five frames spaced one to two stops apart, lets you blend the exposures later. Blending can look unnatural if overdone, so aim for a believable result. Flambient photography is a flash-based alternative. See how to shoot interiors for composition and lighting choices that make blending easier.
White balance and RAW
RAW files give much more room to fix color and recover shadows and highlights. Mixed light is common in homes, so consider turning off lamps that clash with daylight, or fix color per frame in editing.
Lens and camera height
A wide-angle lens helps in small rooms, but extreme wide angles stretch corners. A moderate camera height, often around chest to waist level, tends to keep lines natural. Full-frame cameras are common in this work, but they are not required.
Lighting checks
Before shooting, open curtains and blinds, turn on lights consistently, replace dead bulbs, and tidy rooms. Check the exterior lights too if you shoot at dusk. Walk the property first and plan which rooms get the best natural light at what time.
What to wear
If you are the photographer, plain, dark or neutral clothing avoids reflections in mirrors and glass. If you are the agent or owner, choose something comfortable and neutral, and check with the photographer in case they plan to include people.
Related
For general low-light indoor settings, see indoor camera settings.