First impressions last. The first time someone sees your house will probable be a picture in a real estate office or a snapshot taken last summer. Subjects affecting the appearance of your house are light, angle, distortion and setting.

Houses consist of straight lines and geometric shapes, both of which need a point source light like the sun to define the edges. That leaves out cloudy days. The best color light is on hour before sunset and one hour after sunrise. Get up early one day and notice how the sun strikes the front of your house. Do the same thing in the late afternoon. The better time will be the one when the sun strikes the front at an oblique angle, say forty-five to sixty degrees from the left or right. The object in to have the sun skim across the front while illuminating two thirds of the area. A blue sky will make the house look cleaner. As long as your line of sight is not obstructed, a telephoto lens setting can be used for your framing.

An attractive angle shows four-fifths of the front and one fifth of one side. Avoid any unattractive object that blocks the view. For an attractive look, include some greenery at each end of the house. Sight a line from the middle of the hour and place the camera at that height. You may have to use a ladder or shoot from the window of another building. Do whatever you can to prevent convergence of the vertical line. Make sure the vertical edges line up with the sides of the view finder. If some distortion is necessary, split the difference equally.

The best months for house photography are May and September when the lawn is at its best. Use overhanging branches creatively, covering part of the blue sky and even a corner of the house. No vehicles or people should be in the picture. Vary the angle and heights of the camera and use a tripod. Give it your best shot and I’m sure your house will appreciate it.

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