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Kieran Brimson is an expert interior photographer who uses his keen eye for detail to get the best angle on stunning properties
Find out how to get the best angle on real-estate images
MISSION: Use natural light to showcase enticing living spaces in the leisure, hospitality and real estate industries.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Kieran Brimson LOCATION: Cornwall, United Kingdom
KIT USED: Nikon Z 7 and D800, Nikon AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5g ED and AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8g ED
WEBSITE: www.kbrimsonphotography.com INSTAGRAM: @kbrimsonphotography
Ialways had an interest in film-making, which I studied at the University of Gloucestershire. It wasn’t until a family trip to Florence in 2011 that I realized photography is just as – and in many cases more – rewarding.
Since then, I‘ve been hooked on everything photography. Interior photography is a unique challenge. No two rooms are ever the same, and the light sources are ever changing. Styling a property, and creating a living space that’s warm and inviting, can take longer than the shoot itself. The most crucial piece of kit for taking interior shots is a wide-angle lens, so you can capture a room’s main features in a single image.
Room with a sea view
The sea view is without doubt the key selling point of this room at the Carbis Bay Hotel in St Ives [1],so it was vital that both the interior and exterior were suitably exposed. My solution was to blend together two exposures in post. A tripod was a must to replicate exactly the same framing for both exposures. I wanted to make the view outside look as natural as possible, so I resisted the urge to bring the exposure down too much and maintained a slightly higher level of brightness.
Taking photos at dusk always provides a unique opportunity to capture an interior from a different perspective. This wall of windows was perfect for a shot from the outside looking in [2]. The interior’s lighting showcases a warm living space that emphasizes the comfort and homeliness of the dining area. Dealing with such extreme colour temperatures is the biggest obstacle to overcome with this style of photography. I treat differing areas of colour temperature separately by taking multiple shots. This helps maintain a natural look and avoids colour bleaching.
This freestanding bath tub was a real luxury centrepiece in this property [3]. When a room has a clear focal point, it’s still important to balance the frame and not stray too close to the subject. I wanted to get plenty of floor space around the tub, as well as the source of light coming in from the left, and divided the frame into thirds. With this being a space used predominantly for relaxing, I added candles to provide a romantic mood. The warm glow of the flames balanced out the light spot on the right wall, and the tea lights helped fill the foreground space and break up the darkness of the tiles.