Admin

Staging for the Camera – 1. Remove Objects In the Foreground

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Evers & Co.

This is another simple trick to making a room shot look better- move objects that are very close to you in the foreground­ out of the shot. A vase, flowers, or lamps, will just dominate the photo and detract from the room; the reason for this is the extreme stretch perspective of the wide angle lens. Just like the back of a spoon, the objects closest are exaggerated and the background objects are far in the distance.  Two problems occur from this. First you make a non significant object the focal point, and 2 you hide the room you want to show.

For instance take the shot below where I removed the lamp and magazines from the photo. However, for the staging of the room it needed to go back, so remember to keep two perspectives, one staging for an open house and another for the room shots.

I should have removed one of the pillows but I

Forground Object

Comments(9)

Show All Comments Sort:
Greg Fox
Realty World Wichita - Wichita, KS
Techy Broker in Wichita Kansas

Would seem obvious!  I will say that when I take a lower angle (countertop say) I might leave in the foreground object for more interest.

Jul 09, 2008 11:14 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

Sometimes I forget the simplest things when I am taking pictures and staging homes.  Thanks for the reminders.

Jul 09, 2008 02:08 PM
Janice Sutton
1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA
Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Thanks for the tip.  I like the "back of the spoon" analogy!  I will be sure to remember this trick!

Jul 10, 2008 01:24 PM
Crystal Corr
Keller Williams Greenville Central - Simpsonville, SC

Great points! It always makes me laugh when I see photos of a room with a "something" right there at the opening of it. Just take the time to put it on the floor for a second. The owner won't care.

Jul 10, 2008 05:35 PM
Susan Peters
Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA
The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Piers,

I've always had a feeling that I should do this but I wasn't sure. Thanks for confirming my gut instinct.

Jul 11, 2008 07:48 PM
Keith Duncan
Bragg & Associates Real Estate - Augusta, GA
Realtor Augusta, GA

Great tip Piers. Amazing that omething so simple could make such a huge difference!

Jul 14, 2008 01:43 AM
Earleene Woods
Keller Williams Experience Realty - Murray, KY
ASP, CRS, GRI

Thanks Piers for the tip.  It is amazing how small things can make such a difference

Jul 17, 2008 12:31 PM
Maureen Maureen
Orangeburg, NY

Piers - When I'm done with a staging and everything looks perfect I have to move things around to take the pictures. Sometimes it means moving things out of the way or having them temporarily off center or facing pictures to face the camera instead of the room. Then I put it all back. It does make a difference.

Jul 18, 2008 11:28 AM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

It's important to review the photos that you take.  The camera catches things that we don't expect.

Don't wait until you sit in front of the computer to review them.

We are so lucky to have digital cameras

Jul 18, 2008 02:07 PM