Photoshop for Interior Design — 30 Ways to Improve Your Images

Introduction

Photoshop is a complicated art. Most designers have learned it the hard way. They did so, by hopping over different techniques and methods, which took them a long time. However, the industry has become so competitively monetized that investing that much time is not feasible. 

To get that competitive edge in the interior photography and editing market, we have compiled all those essential factors on your behalf so that you learn them and dominate the projects from the get-go.

1. Choose an element as the main subject

Not having a clear idea of which element is the main subject is an undermined error. Having one primary subject and giving extra attention to that will create a sense of perfection in the viewer’s mind. 

2. Go easy on the secondary elements

It does sound ambiguous to tamper down the glow of secondary elements, after all, why should you? But then again, interior photographs are highly commercial. You need to edit to sell a particular thing. So going down on the other ones is not too bad of an idea. 

3. Reduce the glow or lighting effects on certain objects

It’s not like the second factor we mentioned. Everyone talks about having enough light for good photos. But you should also understand that sometimes the light is too much. The photographer may not have much to do in that regard, but the editor can. Tuning down to the desired level will give the desired impression.

4. Get the lines straight

Hectic practice is needed to get the lines right. Finding out the distortions with naked eyes is not easy, developing that vision takes time and sharp focus. But once you learn to do this, you can fix almost any photo. 

5. Get rid of the unwanted elements

The beginning points told you to tune down the secondary elements. But there are always a few objects that do not fit the bill, sticking their head out. Develop the skills so that you can remove such elements making the final product look completely natural. 

6. Take care of the windows

Wide open windows are not necessarily bad all the time, but an important thing to keep in mind. They can let too much light inside the main frame. Yes, you can argue to edit that right, but it may not be possible all the time. So, make sure the windows are just enough during the photoshoot. 

7. Straighten the elements

Sounds similar to the fourth point, but it is not. This point is about getting the elements right themselves, not their lines while editing. Proper positioning of props and components makes for a perfect photoshoot. 

8. Learn color correction

Get this in your head that you will be given an area far from perfect to shoot. Expecting the best setup is a mistake. So learning color correction will enable you to rule out all those limitations. Edit out any stain or unwanted patches with your color correction skills. 

9. Identify the elements that carry a message

Adjust the positions of elements that are just more than props. Some objects carry more emotions or messages than other average objects. You must identify them and think of a better place for them that will enhance the appearance of the photo even more. 

10. Get rid of the objects that do not contribute to the photo

The concept of this point is similar to the immediately previous one. Some elements are more important than others. Similar to that, some are totally useless. Be wise enough to remove them from the frame.

11. Maneuver around the curtains

Curtains play a critical role in making interior designs look aesthetic. They cover a vast area, and therefore, play a crucial role in connecting with the viewer. Set them in a good way before going on with the shoot. 

12. Crop the images

Getting things right is easier than we think, or at least, in most cases. In many cases, the photo has not come that bad. Cropping them a bit trims off the loose ends, and you will be good to go. This technique caters to some of the previous points mentioned in the list. 

13. Keep an eye out for the alignment of hanging elements

From chandeliers to pendants of models, anything that is hanging should be straight. That’s a different case when the imperfection needs to be captured. But in general, anything hanging should be straight. Attention to detail is key. 

14. Use LED lighting

There are other conventional forms of lighting available, but investing in LED lighting will give the perfect look. Veteran photographers have agreed to this suggestion. 

15. Bounce the light

Use things like umbrella lighting or other bouncing materials to reflect the light onto the main frame. It’s an excellent way to optimize the level of lighting as opposed to the rays hitting directly. 

16. Adjust the aperture settings

Depending on the area of coverage you need, adjust the aperture settings of your camera. If the room is big and you need to cover the whole of it, then your aperture has to be closed, if the area is smaller, then it has to be opened up. 

17. Modify the shutter speed of your camera

Minor adjustments like tweaking the shutter speeds combined with other changes like aperture settings will set you up for the best clicks. Since you are a professional photographer, you must get into the complexities. Getting the hang of them will make them easy with time. 

18. Try and add depth to the frame to be captured

Adding more depth will give a feel of luxury and epitome to your photo. You can do this by removing unwanted clutters from the frame. Spreading things out will give a sense of openness.

19. Use a tripod

It’s not abnormal to have shaky hands while shooting photographs. Days will be there when it won’t just happen. Carrying a tripod can make your day in such situations. The photo will come out steady without blurriness. 

20. Clean the lens

As simple as it sounds, most people tend to ignore this step. A clean lens will ensure a crisp click. Not cleaning the lens regularly will lead to the permanent settling of dirt on the lens resulting in bad shoots. Cameras and their lens are expensive, take care of them. 

21. Angle of shoot

Shoot the photos from an approximate midpoint of the height of the room or area. You can take the height of your hip as a reference. That is the perfect angle to get the right width of coverage. 

22. Depending on the set, explore the option of going vertical

Vertical interior photography has gained huge momentum in recent times. World famous magazines use vertical photos a lot for their interior design publications. Try it out. 

23. Be careful with the width

Some frames would call for a wider angle, some would need a narrower perspective. Develop an eye to assess the requirement instantly. It will be developed with practice, but these subtle things matter a lot. 

24. Put your camera on raw mode

Raw mode is the best for interior photography. Sometimes nature has a lot to offer. Usual settings tend to edit a bit of those by themselves due to their software. You have to retrieve some of those while editing anyways. So why not have the original photo from the beginning itself? 

25. Remove any label out there

Labels are of no use unless you are endorsing that particular brand. Get rid of them and the frame will look much better instantly. Having a clean image feels better to look at. 

26. Remove mirrors from the wrong places

Mirrors in certain positions will look good. Otherwise, they don’t look well in corners and other such places. 

27. Edit the seam

Editing the seam is important when you merge two clicks of the same frame. Doing this is not that difficult. A clear assessment of the frame before shooting will help in this regard. 

28. Adjust the color of the furnishers

You can edit the colors with intermediate photoshop skills. Try different color combinations, and make changes accordingly. 

29. Use natural light optimally

Natural light can be both good and bad. Too much of it can be bad, as mentioned earlier. But external lighting may be strong as well. Look for overcast days for the perfect ambiance in the photo. 

30. Work with layers

Earning the patience to work with multiple layers will give you much-needed flexibility. Try different things individually on each layer, and reach a final one. 

Conclusion

There is no end to what you can do to improve your interior photography. You need to work your way to find what suits you the best. The factors mentioned above won’t look much once you start implementing them. They are simple and effective.

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