Hotel Photography: Effective Techniques for Good Exterior Sign Shots

The moment of transition from day to night has a special magic. The blue hour, when the sky shines in deep blue tones and the first lights begin to glow, is the perfect opportunity to showcase the outer sign of a hotel. In this guide, you will learn how to take impressive shots with the right technique and the perfect framing that can be used for both online advertising and print materials.

Key insights

• Use the blue hour for impressive lighting conditions.
• Vary the framing with different focal lengths for diverse subjects.
• Take multiple shots to provide the designer with high-quality material.

Step-by-step guide

Use the blue hour purposefully

The blue hour is the ideal time to photograph the outer sign of a hotel. At this time, the combination of blue and the warm colors of the lights is particularly harmonious. The color temperatures stand in an appealing contrast and can be highlighted through skillful composition. To achieve this ideal state, you should plan your location and the lighting conditions well in advance.

Setting up the camera correctly

Before you start taking pictures, it is essential to set up your camera correctly. Choose manual mode to have full control over exposure, ISO, and aperture. During the blue hour, the light can be very variable, so it makes sense to try out different settings. These preparations ensure that you can work optimally under the changing lighting conditions.

Initial shots at 35 mm

Start with your first shot at a 35 mm focal length. This framing already gives you a good impression of the composition. Ensure that the outer sign is clearly visible in the image while the background underscores the mood. Different perspectives and angles can help you find the best shot.

Zoom in with 50 mm

After you have taken a first image, adjust the framing and switch to 50 mm. This focal length helps to bring the hotel's logo even more into the center of attention. Depending on how the light falls, you can play with the aperture to keep the background blurred and bring the sign sharply into focus.

Focusing on the logo with 70 mm

Next, zoom to 70 mm. This focal length is ideal for making the sign appear even more impressive. The detailed shots are excellent for banners and large-scale displays on websites. Remember to also adjust the framing here to ensure the best view of the logo.

Changing the framing to 24 mm

To obtain a different perspective, you should also take a shot at 24 mm. This wide-angle shot gives you the opportunity to show more of the hotel's surroundings, allowing the context and atmosphere to be conveyed much better. Just make sure that the sign does not appear distorted and that the symmetries are maintained.

Further adjustments and experiments

After you have taken some pictures with different focal lengths, review the results. You might feel inspired to experiment further. Especially during the blue hour, the light mood can change within minutes, and the perfect conditions could encourage you to capture even more variations.

Summary – Hotel photography: optimally showcasing the outer sign

In summary, the blue hour offers an excellent opportunity to present the outer sign of a hotel in impressive lighting. With the right technique, different focal lengths, and thoughtful composition, you can achieve strong, effective advertising images.