Long exposure photography is a creative photography technique that produces stunning images with light. However, it can be difficult for beginners, especially those using the automatic exposure mode on your camera. In this article, we will guide you to master long exposure real estate photography.

Introduction to real estate long exposure photography

Long exposure photography in real estate uses extended shutter speeds to capture stunning images of a property, often in low light. The goal of long exposure photography is to convey a sense of time and atmosphere, showcasing properties in a unique light. This method can create spectacular images that not only enhance listings but also attract potential buyers.

For night photography, illuminated moving objects, such as cars driving by, can create captivating light trails, adding depth and interest to a property image. The technique involves keeping the camera shutter open for varying amounts of time, allowing more light to enter the camera. This results in motion blur for moving objects while keeping the property itself sharp and detailed.

Essential camera equipment for long exposure photography

Camera

Your camera is perhaps the most fundamental equipment needed to take long exposures. While a DSLR works great, some of today’s mirrorless cameras are also fully equipped to accommodate long exposures. The most important thing is having complete manual control over ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Your camera also needs to feature a Bulb mode, allowing you to have the shutter open for longer than the default 30 seconds—perfect for those ultra-long exposures.

Lens

In theory, any lens is usable for long exposure photography, but wide-angle lenses are the pro favorite because they have the strength to ingest shallow scenes. Just make sure that your lens can accommodate an ND filter—a bit more on this later.

Tripod

A good, solid tripod is absolutely necessary. Even the most dramatic scene won’t look great if your photographs are blurry because of camera shake. Your tripod doesn’t have to be some cumbersome monster, but it needs to be heavy enough to stand steady for a few minutes, even in a breeze.

Remote shutter release

When shooting in Bulb mode, a remote shutter release is an essential tool. It lets you open and close the shutter without physically touching the camera, minimizing vibrations.

Or, if you don’t mind, a timer remote (also called an intervalometer) gives you precise control over your exposure time, freeing you from huddling around the camera all the time.

ND Filter (Neutral Density Filter)

ND filters go in front of your lens and reduce the amount of light entering the camera. This enables you to use long shutter speeds—several minutes long—even in direct sunlight without overexposing your picture.

ND filters are “neutral” in the sense that they won’t color your picture (at least, good-quality ones won’t). Be careful with cheaper filters, however; they can add unwanted color casts or degrade image quality.

In addition to screw-on filters, there are square ND filter systems that demand a filter holder attached to your lens through an adapter ring. The 100mm square filters are some of the most ubiquitous and are generally made of glass—so treat them with caution.

Filter holder systems are usually the choice of landscape photographers since they’re easier to adjust or replace when location changes. Screw-on filters, though effective, can be a little more troublesome.

How to take long exposure real estate photography photos

Planning and preparation

Planning is the first step in long exposure photography. Think about what type of subject you are going to shoot. It could be a stormy horizon, a busy street, or a cloud-shrouded building. Movement is the key and will give your pictures a dreamy, dynamic look.

Lower your ISO

Set your camera’s ISO to its lowest level. Lower ISO will reduce your camera’s sensitivity to light, saving you from noise and enabling you to take cleaner, sharper photos. This is especially needed while photographing detailed real estate structures.

Use a stop between f/8 and f/14

To get a clear, balanced image, ensure your aperture is between f/8 and f/14. While a smaller aperture, like f/22, can be utilized, it will blur the image due to diffraction. You will get the best detail and depth with the middle-range key.

Slow down shutter speed

Shutter speed is the most important in longer exposure. Control the length of time the shutter is open yourself, stopping action in your landscape. For exposures longer than 30 seconds, employ Bulb mode, which will keep the camera’s shutter open as long as you hold down the button (or remote press). Some cameras have a Bulb Timer option, too, which will enable you to set an exact length of time for the exposure beforehand, making it simple and easy.

The more experience you have, the better you’ll get at judging the right exposure without even checking through the camera. Most architectural or real estate long exposures are two to three minutes, depending on motion and light in the scene.

Manually set an aperture for better exposure

Think of the aperture as the camera’s iris, controlling the amount of light that hits the sensor. Since the long exposure has admitted a lot of light through the wide open shutter speed, you will have to stop down (smaller aperture) so that you don’t overexpose.

Check the Histogram

Don’t rely on your LCD display on your camera since it is misleading in changing light conditions. Rather, use the histogram to measure your exposure. Take a few test photos with different apertures and observe the histogram to find out the most balanced exposure. As soon as everything is in line with the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO), you’re ready to roll.

Choose and attach the right ND filter

You’ll need filters with different levels of strength depending on the time of day and light. They reduce the amount of light entering the camera, so you can use longer shutter speeds even in extremely sunny daylight.

Remember that a heavy ND filter will dim your camera’s viewfinder or display, which is nothing to worry about. Just make sure to account for the stops of light lost by the filter when adjusting your exposure.

Focusing for long exposures

For sharpness, put your camera on manual focus mode after you have locked the precise focus point. Secure your camera to a heavy tripod so it doesn’t shift or blur.

If you’re not very confident about shooting manually, begin with autofocus. Half-press the shutter to lock focus and then switch to manual focus prior to taking the shot. This will maintain a stable focus. Alternatively, you can enable back-button focus—a feature that allows you to disengage the focus control from the shutter button, giving you more control and consistency.

Use the timer to prevent camera shake

Once you’ve set your controls, turn on your camera timer (a few seconds should suffice) so that you won’t jar the camera by accident when taking the shot. This little bit of trickery will remove blur from even the slightest camera movement and ensure sharp photos.

Conclusion

In short, mastering long exposure real estate photography is a long process that requires a lot of practice to gain experience. No one can succeed on the first try. Hopefully the above article will be useful for you in taking long exposure photos. Good luck.