How Wide is Too Wide? Choosing the Right Focal Length for Interior Design Photography

In interior design photography, selecting the right focal length is crucial for capturing spaces in a way that’s both aesthetically pleasing and true to the designer’s vision. The focal length you choose can dramatically alter the look and feel of your images, influencing everything from the room's proportions to how viewers perceive depth. So, how wide is too wide? And how do you choose the right focal length for your interior design or hospitality photography? Let's explore.

If you are brand new to interiors photography this article linked below might be a better starting point for you!

This image was taken at 35mm

The Pros and Cons of Wide-Angle Lenses

Pros:

• Show More Space: Wide-angle lenses can capture more of a room in a single image and can convey the layout of the room.

• Create Spaciousness: These lenses can make a room appear larger than it actually is, which can be appealing in real estate photography or when showcasing a spacious design.

• Dramatic Effects: Wide-angle lenses can create a dramatic, even surreal, look, adding a unique perspective that can make an image stand out.

Cons:

• Distortion: Wide-angle lenses can distort foreground subjects, making them appear stretched or larger than they are. This can detract from the overall balance of the composition.

• Loss of Detail: wide lenses can spread key design elements too thinly across the frame, making it harder for viewers to focus on individual features. Fine details, texture, and even a mountain view can be lost when shooting too wide.

• Lighting and post-processing Challenges: Wide-angle lenses can make it more difficult to light a space evenly, and can make color casts or other post-processing challenges more difficult to correct.

Finding creative ways to show smaller spaces like bathrooms with longer focal lengths can help prevent distortion as well as highlight details and texture. This Image was photographed at 50mm

Navigating Distortion

Wide-angle lenses introduce two types of distortion:

1. Barrel Distortion: This occurs when the image appears bowed, similar to a fisheye effect. Modern software can easily correct barrel distortion, so it's generally not a major concern.

2. Perspective Distortion: Also known as Wide angle distortion, This happens when foreground subjects appear stretched or disproportionately large compared to other elements in the frame. Unlike barrel distortion, perspective distortion can't be corrected in post-processing. You need to carefully consider this when composing your shot with a wide-angle lens.

Understanding Focal Length

Focal length, measured in millimeters (mm), determines how much of a scene your camera will capture. Essentially, it controls the angle of view and the magnification of the subject. Here's how im going to classify different focal lengths:

• 16mm and below: Ultra wide-angle

• 16-35mm: Wide-angle

• 35-70mm: Standard

• 70mm and above: Telephoto

Note: These classifications are based on a standard full-frame sensor. If you're using an APS-C or "crop sensor" camera, multiply the focal length by 1.5 to apply the same principles.

This is the corner of an image that was photographed with a wide-angle lens. Notice the chair on the right is nearly 3 times the size of the chair right next to it. This image was taken at 16mm

Ultra Wide-Angle Lenses (16mm and Below)

Im going to stir the pot right off the bat by saying ultra-wide lenses are rarely ideal for interior photography. Using a focal length this wide often results in significant perspective distortion, making it difficult to represent the space accurately. If you need to highlight every aspect of a room, it’s usually better to capture multiple well-composed shots rather than one disorienting image with distorted proportions.

This image was taken at 24mm

Wide-angle lenses (16-35mm)

This range is where most interior design photography happens. While the wider end (16-24mm) can still introduce some significant perspective distortion, careful attention to the composition—particularly the placement of foreground elements—can mitigate these effects. Lenses in the 24mm to 35mm range are particularly versatile, offering a good balance between showing the most of a room and maintaining realistic proportions.

This image was taken at 35mm

Standard Focal Lengths (35-70mm)

Standard focal lengths are a favorite of mine for capturing specific areas of a room or focusing on details. With a narrower field of view, you can emphasize textures, materials, and design elements that might get lost in wider shots. This focal length is perfect for bringing out the intricacies of a space, making it a go-to for detail-oriented shots. This kitchen image was taken at 70mm

Telephoto Lenses (70mm and Above)

While telephoto lenses aren’t often used in interior design photography, they can be incredibly effective when the situation calls for it. For example, you might use a telephoto lens to capture a distant exterior view of a mountain home or to zoom in on a small design detail. When used creatively, telephoto lenses can produce stunning images with a unique perspective.

This image was taken at 24mm

Conclusion

Choosing the right focal length for interior design or hospitality photography is all about balance. While wide-angle lenses can be used for capturing the full scope of a room, it’s important to be mindful of the potential downsides like distortion and loss of detail. By understanding the strengths and limitations of different focal lengths, you can select the one that best suits the space you’re photographing, ensuring that your images are both visually compelling and true to the designer’s intent.