Lights ON vs Lights OFF for Real Estate Photography

I set the record straight on whether you should photograph real estate with interiors lights on, or off, as well as times to do both, and techniques involved as well. Below are links mentioned in the video:
Online course to learn Pro Interior Photography:
ProInteriors.N...
Online course to learn Pro Editing:
ExpertEditing....
My real estate photography books:
amzn.to/3mDNp9L
Video on HDR editing:
• The HDR Myth in Real E...

[@LeoDodier]

Hello Nathan, thank you for that video, it was great as always. I am in Hawaii and I’ve done real estate for 30 years and as you can imagine there are many expensive properties that I list. I try to take photos myself because I enjoy it, but I am trying to get better, that’s why I’m watching you! But I do totally agree with you that I always want my lights on because it is a lot more realistic looking and in my opinion just looks a lot better.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thanks Leo, great input!

[@Fotoadsza]

The time of day and even season can make a difference to which lights you decide to turn off. However, there's no question that if you make the right choices, lights on is best. Thanks as always for sharing your views Nathan.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Thanks David!

[@Tacuddin]

Thanks for your video, I think another point of having the lights turned off is to highlight the natural light of the house which an architect has put considerable thought into. I’m abit conflicted and don’t know how to reconcile the claim that flambient is the ideal method for luxury or high end properties when all architectural or interior design magazines feature images with the lights turned off. Alot of the flambient images look too flashy, while appropriate for real estate, here in my marker in Australia, almost all high end architectural photos prioritise the natural light of the house.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're welcome! That though is something I covered in the video. When flambient is done correctly it should not look flashy; instead, a properly captured and edited flambient image should not look like flash was used, but instead, should provide the appropriate balance of ambient light when and where (and to what degree) natural light and shadows should be exposed. This is something I cover at great length in my online course if you'd to check it out at prointeriors.nathancool.com

[@TheCaboChannelMexico]

Eeerie!
I have a shoot coming up in a couple of weeks time . I toured it yesterday and it has the opportunity to be shot as REP as standard but I wandered around a couple of rooms looking at the light (that was mid morning) and the on or off question came to mind. Rushing out the door now but will watch this later with great interest as always

[@dallasroberts3206]

I far prefer lights on. Only a select few do I turn off. Thanks Nathan! Flambient all the way!

[@craig645]

I would agree most of the time except when photographing a very dark bedroom with only one table lamp next to the bed then I would just flash for a cleaner look. Your videos are excellent.

[@bradyoung1714]

Nathan, I just want you thank you for your videos. I follow your technique to the T after being a noob and Ive now been staff at a real estate company doing their marketing for 5 years now. So thank you. Your training and advice got me a good job!

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

You're very welcome Brad, glad I could help.

[@stevewturnbull]

Great video, such a clear and well illustrated explanation of a very complex and highly technical subject :) I'd love an AI app to fix most of these issues in post..

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

Designers today intend their interiors to be seen with the lighting they have selected. That is generally how it should appear to the viewer. There are also interior spaces that don't even have daylight.

[@Tegeranets]

Thank you! You are awesome!

[@dalegreer3095]

I go into some homes and I can't believe how they have so many different colors of bulbs, even in multi-bulb fixtures. Can't people see that? It would drive me nuts. When everything was incandescent, at least you knew that they'd all be black body radiation even when they had different temperatures. Nowadays a lot of lights are just blue or orange with no relation to color temperature because they don't have a smooth spectrum.
I like LEDs for using less electricity, but in places where I spend a lot of time working or relaxing, I just use incandescent, and also over the bathroom mirror. It's not like I have so many bulbs in my small apartment, and most of them are turned off most of the time anyway.

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

It used to be that a light bulb was a light bulb, but nowadays one can select various color temperatures, so I think people often just grab what's on the shelf without looking at its Kelvin. Still, using flambient correctly, the color doesn't matter...ambient color is tossed out, and/or greatly diminished.

[@jankarlsson8341]

I think lights on looks nicer in most cases.

[@billburns6545]

Hi Nathan, what’s your thoughts on putting daylight (Temperature) bulbs in lamps, Etc

[@NathanCoolPhoto]

Not necessary if you do flambient correctly. And, too much time onsite.

[@billb13]

I've never been a fan of lights off like the Europeans seem to want. Too dull and cold-looking - then, again most European countries are located further north than the U.S. mainland.