Last Updated on September 25, 2024 by Adams
Indoor photography can create accurate images of living spaces with particular attention to lighting, details, and the room’s layout—a challenge capable of giving optimal results with time, dedication, and the most suitable tools. We have compiled some of the best lens for indoor lifestyle photography in the article. We suggest you carry on digging and have a look at them.
To start working on an interior photographic set, the first thing to do is undoubtedly to look at the environment that surrounds us. Considering every detail, the points where natural light falls, mentally rearranging the arrangement of things, furniture, chairs, armchairs, carpets, and cushions are essential to highlight the beauty of a scene and define your environment idea.
Furthermore, you can always foresee a preliminary inspection of the set if the situation allows it and does not affect the costs.
After critically analyzing the place we want to photograph, the second step is to create the set. Whether it is the living room area, the kitchen, or the hall of a hotel, it is good to prefigure and put into practice the idea you want to give of the place, arranging the furniture differently, adding people who provide color to the scene, adding objects, all to make the environment as live as possible.
Whether it is photographing a hotel, a house, or an interior exhibition room, light is essential to define the texture and spaces of the immortalized place. Still, above all, it is ideal for directing the viewer’s gaze to the areas of interest, separating rooms, and giving the idea of a revitalizing environment.
However, to get the most optimal result possible, let us remember that it is essential to give a natural look to the place we are going to immortalize. Therefore, it is good to play with the tools available to have the proper contrast between natural and artificial light.
Moreover, eliminating vertical distortion is a typical problem of interior photography and architectural photography. The problem lies in the camera’s inclination up or down, just before the shot, which is frequent, especially in the case of confined spaces, and which gives a surreal result to the scene.
One solution to this is the ability to back away from the subject so that the camera is parallel to the floor or even raise the camera from the ground to have a more linear perspective. If the space availability is not enough to allow you to move, you can efficiently resolve the distortion through post-production.
Among the many available in the photographic landscape, wide-angle optics are the most suitable for those who work on interior photography. These are capable of capturing a wide viewing angle and, therefore, a large portion of the scene.
Using it does not mean that you have to take a random photo from any angle to have perfect results. However, a wide-angle has the particularity of distorting a scene too much, which entails the risk of the picture becoming fake.
As with all self-respecting photographic sets, also in the field of interior photography, the tools that cannot be missing at all, in addition to your trusty camera and wide-angle optic, are the tripod, the remote shutter release, umbrellas, panels, and other light equipment.
Finally, suppose you cannot get enough light tools. In that case, it does not hurt to have a professional studio lamp such as the modeling light of the flashes, helpful in integrating tungsten lighting and PAR bulbs to enhance small areas or give it a dramatic or exciting touch.
Best Lens for Indoor Lifestyle Photography (Comparison)
| Name | Dimensions | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympus M.Zuiko Digital | 3.27 x 2.52 x 2.52 inches | 0.631 Pounds | |
| Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR | 2.13 x 2.91 x 2.13 inches | 0.637 Pounds | Check Price |
| Canon EF 85mm | 2.83 x 2.95 x 2.95 inches | 0.937 Pounds | Check Price |
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED
If you own a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera and are looking for an all-in-one lens that allows you to tame most indoor lifestyle photographic perspectives, from wide-angle to nature zoom, then Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 ii is the right choice.
It has a powerful zoom for various shooting situations, from wide-angle to telephoto. You can use the sturdy dust- and splash-proof construction in all conditions.
Its surface has a unique Zero (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating, which reduces glare, and protects it from scratches. Further, it is compact and lightweight that you can use for almost any photographic opportunity.
It is the second edition of the universal zoom optic. The 14-150 focal length range (equivalent to 28-300 focal lengths in full-frame cameras) is perfect for situations where you do not want to waste time changing optics. You can use this universal zoom for both wide-angle shots and close-ups of distant objects. Perfect for hiking or holiday travel.
Its construction has 15 elements in 11 groups. Thanks to using three aspherical elements and one ED (low dispersion) glass element, it guarantees low optical errors and high image resolution. In addition, it has been adapted to work in difficult weather conditions – thanks to the seals. Therefore, you can use it with resistant O-MD cameras in humid, frosty, or dusty environments.
Moreover, the two rings on the barrel, dedicated respectively to zoom and focus, are fluid and comfortable; finally included in the package also the dedicated hood, which snaps comfortably onto the special housing at the end, even in a reversible position, thus offering the possibility of leaving it attached to the body when not in use.
It uses a tranquil MSC worm movement system, which ensures extremely quiet AF operation even during filming. It allows you to record the highest quality movie without unnecessary sounds. Combining OM-D or PEN cameras will be a compact set that you can always have with you.
The minimum distance from which it is possible to focus is only 50 cm. At the maximum focal length, it gives the effect of a high zoom, which makes this model suitable for macro-style shots. The minimum shooting distance and the rapidity of the autofocus are discreet, particularly reactive, mainly when used with the camera selector in automatic mode.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact size | Lack duo function |
| Decent photo quality | |
| 14-150 focal length range |
Conclusion:
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm II proves to be a versatile and practical lens in performance: thanks to its extension, it can guarantee efficient results in the vast majority of situations, boasting a more than good image quality.
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
It is a workhorse for Nikon that has been building this lens for more than 30 years. The new model incorporates the internal SWM-Silent Wave Motor autofocus motor (hence the abbreviation AF-S) and is compatible with digital SLR cameras type D40, D60, D3000, D5000, D3100 included which do not have a focusing motor.
Af-s-nikkor-50mm-f1.4g is compatible for the full-frame FX-format in which it maintains its nominal focal length of 50mm and for the DX APS-C on which it becomes a 75mm equivalent; an excellent indoor lifestyle portrait optics in this case, with an aperture that allows shooting in ambient light in many situations.
Remember that the f / 1.4 aperture allows a gain of three stops compared to, for example, a zoom optic with a maximum aperture at f / 4, this means that in a hypothetical situation in which it is necessary to shoot at 1/30 ″ – f / 4 and 1600 ISO.
It would be possible to work at full aperture with 50mm using a shutter speed of 1/250 ″ or decrease the sensitivity to only 200 ISO. A great advantage, without a doubt! The already high quality of the optics in question has increased, making the new 50mm AF-S the best ‘normal’ available at Nikon.
In addition, this 50mm is genuinely a lens for everyone; for those who have a D60 and want to try their hand at portraits or want a bright optic for all those situations that require its use. In addition, those with a superior class SLR will benefit from an excellent performance at any aperture.
The sharpness is genuinely exceptional, so much so that even a Nikon D300 still does not fully exploit the resolving power of this 50mm, which is, therefore, an excellent complement to the latest addition to Nikon, the D3x. Further, it is small and excellently built; a place in the bag is easily found.
From f/2, onwards the optics returns well-defined and sharp images, the best you could wish for. For most applications, the internal SWM motor is fast enough. The yield of the Sigma is slightly higher than the maximum aperture, especially in the center, perhaps preferable for those who will use it as a portrait optic on the DX-format.
Finally, it is a good portrait optics for the DX format. Decent bokeh and better wide-open performance make it the go-to choice over other Nikon 50mm cameras. Optically successful incredibly at maximum aperture. The best 50mm autofocus.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High light intensity | No image stabilizer |
| Faster and quieter autofocus | |
| Excellent price/performance ratio |
Conclusion:
The Nikon undoubtedly wins the comparison in the general rendering on the full-frame format, proving to be one of the best existing lenses in its class. Additionally, at intermediate apertures f /5.6-8, it probably does not exhaust its potential even with the very high resolution of the Nikon D3X.
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium
With the EF 85mm f / 1.8M usm, Canon offers one of the brightest and cheapest lenses in the middle price segment. In addition, it impresses with an overall positive impression.
It has been optimized especially for use with a full-frame camera, which is evident from the abbreviation EF. In contrast, optics with the abbreviation EF-S are for APSC cameras.
The smallest possible aperture of this optic is 22f. The diameter for mounting additional filters is 58 mm. Furthermore, it has a fixed focal length of 85 mm. You can mount it on the camera with the stable metal bayonet. It uses a USM motor for focusing.
The metal bayonet, in particular, is convincing and is not a standard in this price range. The actual optic is made of high-quality plastic, which gives a very stable impression. In addition, the built-in USM motor ensures fast and precise focusing.
Its sleek design has an integrated focus inside the housing; there is no change in the length of the optic when focusing. It provides extra advantage for using filters without problems and, in particular, no readjustment is necessary with gradient or polarization filters.
Furthermore, it has high-speed autofocus. It performs Focusing with the help of a ring-shaped ultrasonic motor, which enables fast and quiet focusing. In addition, the autofocus guarantees a good holding torque so that inaccuracies do not occur.
In addition to the autofocus, however, manual focusing is possible by performing the adjustment using the rotary ring. However, especially with autofocus, manual calibration on the camera may be necessary to guarantee optimal results.
The image quality is one of the clear strengths of the Canon EF 85mm f / 1.8. The lens delivers excellent performance for indoor lifestyle photography and impresses with a high speed of 1: 1.8. It also enables photography in poor light conditions without the use of a tripod.
The quality of the bokeh is very good with an aperture of f/1.8 and convinces it with a charming blurring effect. Overall, Canon provides pleasing bokeh with the EF 85 mm 1.8 USM.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High construction quality and finishing | Manual focus ring |
| General optical quality | |
| No distortions |
Conclusion:
The Canon EF 85mm f / 1.8 is an excellent lens that can also convince a comparatively low price. The contrast and resolution are particularly good with it and can convince with every setting.
Especially concerning the chromatic aberration, it knows how to convince so that it is practically invisible. In addition, it has an excellent bokeh that will satisfy every lifestyle photographer. In addition, the processing quality is at a high level, at a comparatively low price level.
Final Verdict:
Lifestyle photography is photographing simple life moments and everyday events, sincere emotions, and normal states. It is an attempt to capture in the frame what fills our life. The purpose of lifestyle photography is to create a history of our everyday life.
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