Photgraphing cars
Discussion
Out today in the Griff and as it was sunny and I happened to have my camera with me I thought I'd try to get a few decent pics' of the car. Now whenever I take pictures of cars I seem to get only one or two decent ones out every roll of 36 shots, the rest are either dull (sun goes in), have a tree in the background or generally don't quite capture the beast in all its glory. So, given that I'll never quite be able to replicate the quality of snappery in glossy mag's like EVO I wondered if any of you photography minded people out there may have a few golden rules to help me get a decent pic my Griff, you know the sort of thing, wheels straight or turned, lights on or off, good backgrounds, use flash or not etc.?
Rich...
>>> Edited by richb on Friday 21st June 16:46
Rich...
>>> Edited by richb on Friday 21st June 16:46
Hmmm...I too would like to know this, Lord knows I've tried!
My favourite types of shots are wheels turned/unusual angles/different scenery.
I did borrow a digital camera and ran a few off but am still looking for the 'ultimate' to get blown up to poster print to hang on the wall.
One of my personal favourites is the one in my profile, I'm still searching for a better opportunity though!
My favourite types of shots are wheels turned/unusual angles/different scenery.
I did borrow a digital camera and ran a few off but am still looking for the 'ultimate' to get blown up to poster print to hang on the wall.
One of my personal favourites is the one in my profile, I'm still searching for a better opportunity though!
quote:
How about getting a digital camera to practice with?
You can shoot 100+ photos and not pay any developing costs if there aren't any you like. Plus, you can see the picture immediately, and discard it if it looks like a toddler took it
If you get a digital camera with a LCD screen on the back (£250)ish you can compose the photo first, I managed to get some excellent shots of my car this way.
Digital camera's are fine but they do have draw backs. Taking a quick shot for example, have to release the shutter before the car is in shot, hit and miss at times. Also if you are using high quality it akes longer for each shot to be written to the card (on mine anyway) so rattling off several quickly in a row is out unless you use low quality. Happy with mine and the results in geeral though.
Glossy mag shots are more composition though. Good setting up etc.
Glossy mag shots are more composition though. Good setting up etc.
Agree with the comments re digital cameras. However, if you go down the 35mm route - then use a wider angle lens - something in range of 20-35 mm (50mm being standard). Use a good quality print film - better results than slides in the hands of the non-professional. Best shoot with the light coming from behind you onto the subject. Shoot diagonally on at same height as top of windscreen. Cars usually look better as if they are moving from left to right in the shot (I don't know why - they just do!!). Turn your steering to the left to get a good view of your shiny alloy wheel (drivers side If you have a good quality camera/lens, use a circular polarising filter to increase contrast/control reflections.). No idea if that makes any sense!!
I learnt a long time ago (when I had such an interest) to compose in thirds -- imaging the frame split into thirds, horizontally and vertically, and try and place your subject on one of these lines.
Also, remember to actually look at the pic (if you're using dig) or concentrate when using the viewfinder. The brain naturally concentrates on the subject and ignores crisp packets, the neighbours kid's scooter or whatever garbage is lurking in the other corner of the frame. Photo ruined. Hence, check all areas and try not to take pictures of yourself in the shiny reflections!
Also, remember to actually look at the pic (if you're using dig) or concentrate when using the viewfinder. The brain naturally concentrates on the subject and ignores crisp packets, the neighbours kid's scooter or whatever garbage is lurking in the other corner of the frame. Photo ruined. Hence, check all areas and try not to take pictures of yourself in the shiny reflections!
also, shoot the car either early in the morning or at dusk as the sun is setting..... you get great light then that shows the lines of the car far better. and if you are shooting into natural light, ie: its from behind, try a fill in flash. Wide angle lens help get that pro look too and avoid a fussy backdrop. Just experiment, thats what i do! mark
Couple of tips...
Always use flash, even in bright sunshine...has the same effect of adding those little catchlights in eyes when taking portrait pictures. Basically, even one extra light source will add sparkle to your polishing efforts. In addition, it will light up your lights and indicators for you…looks great.
Try not to flash straight at the windows…you’ll get big flash hotspots.
Have a think about where you are in the reflection in your car…consider stepping back and using the camera’s zoom.
Take the car at an angle and turn the wheels to give the impression the car has driven towards you and turning away at the last minute.
Try using a very small aperture to get maximum depth of field, with the camera as close to the car as the focus allows, on a wide angle to include the rest of the car, which will then also be in focus.
Do the opposite and use a shallow depth of field to sharply pick out just one bit of the car.
Remember the car is lower down than you are, so think about taking shots from a much lower angle, eg. Drivers height, top of wheel arch height, ground level looking up.
Walk around the car while looking through the viewfinder…you’ll see it in a different way, and an interesting pic will become much more apparent. Change the zoom settings as well while doing this. You’d be surprised you can create a completely different picture by taking pics from each end of the zoom scale on your camera.
Remember the rule of thirds…your eye is naturally drawn to four points of interest in a picture. Basically, draw imaginary lines on your picture, splitting it into 9 equal boxes, 3 rows by 3 columns. The lines intersect at the points of interest. These are 1/3 in and 1/3 up, 2/3 in and 1/3 up, 2/3 up and 1/3 in, and 2/3 in and 2/3 up. Trust me, its works. Try to put a point of interest in one of these 4 points and let the rest of the picture form around it.
Subject matter…obviously the car…but this applies to all things… think about what’s in the background, will it add to or take away from the main picture? Consider something contrasting in some pics, and something in harmony in others.
Think about colour, what’s complimentary and what’s contrasting with the subject matter.
There’s lots more to go through….I’m no expert, just an enthusiast….want some more thoughts? Post a reply.
Steve
Always use flash, even in bright sunshine...has the same effect of adding those little catchlights in eyes when taking portrait pictures. Basically, even one extra light source will add sparkle to your polishing efforts. In addition, it will light up your lights and indicators for you…looks great.
Try not to flash straight at the windows…you’ll get big flash hotspots.
Have a think about where you are in the reflection in your car…consider stepping back and using the camera’s zoom.
Take the car at an angle and turn the wheels to give the impression the car has driven towards you and turning away at the last minute.
Try using a very small aperture to get maximum depth of field, with the camera as close to the car as the focus allows, on a wide angle to include the rest of the car, which will then also be in focus.
Do the opposite and use a shallow depth of field to sharply pick out just one bit of the car.
Remember the car is lower down than you are, so think about taking shots from a much lower angle, eg. Drivers height, top of wheel arch height, ground level looking up.
Walk around the car while looking through the viewfinder…you’ll see it in a different way, and an interesting pic will become much more apparent. Change the zoom settings as well while doing this. You’d be surprised you can create a completely different picture by taking pics from each end of the zoom scale on your camera.
Remember the rule of thirds…your eye is naturally drawn to four points of interest in a picture. Basically, draw imaginary lines on your picture, splitting it into 9 equal boxes, 3 rows by 3 columns. The lines intersect at the points of interest. These are 1/3 in and 1/3 up, 2/3 in and 1/3 up, 2/3 up and 1/3 in, and 2/3 in and 2/3 up. Trust me, its works. Try to put a point of interest in one of these 4 points and let the rest of the picture form around it.
Subject matter…obviously the car…but this applies to all things… think about what’s in the background, will it add to or take away from the main picture? Consider something contrasting in some pics, and something in harmony in others.
Think about colour, what’s complimentary and what’s contrasting with the subject matter.
There’s lots more to go through….I’m no expert, just an enthusiast….want some more thoughts? Post a reply.
Steve
I find that a low camera angle enhances a shot.
A polarising filter will help with reflections and stop the highlights on the car burning out, giving a much richer look to the colour of the car.
Sometimes shooting in bright sunlight will result in a very contrasty image with the shadows filling in, so a slightly hazy day may be better, or use a fill in flash as mentioned previously.
If shooting a moving subject, pan the camera with the car before releasing the shutter, you are much more likely to get it in frame!
Jon H
A polarising filter will help with reflections and stop the highlights on the car burning out, giving a much richer look to the colour of the car.
Sometimes shooting in bright sunlight will result in a very contrasty image with the shadows filling in, so a slightly hazy day may be better, or use a fill in flash as mentioned previously.
If shooting a moving subject, pan the camera with the car before releasing the shutter, you are much more likely to get it in frame!
Jon H
All good stuff - Portrait pictures are best taken with 100-125mm lens equivalent, because you can fill the frame without geting any distortion. The "golden Point" or whatever artists call it, is the intersection of the thirds - that point is where the main highlight of your photo should be - it could be the leading headlight, or the driver's eyes, whatever. Try shooting the same subject awayu from this imaginary point - it's amazing what a difference it makes! Keep the background bland - clutter (in the foreground as well) will distract from the subject. If possible open up the apeture to about F5, because in telephoto mode, the background will lose focus, and use a fast shutter speed to prevent shake; or use a tripod, slow speed, and stop down for max. depth of field, and very sharp images. On film, use a slow speed film, e.g. 25-50asa, to increase your range of setting options (but use bright light). Take lots of piccies too, because there will be only one or two that are any good.
quote:Not all digital cameras have a delay. This shot (uncropped but reduced size on computer) was with a digital camera. The Bentley was at race speed coming upto the Dunlop bridge at LeMans.
Digital camera's are fine but they do have draw backs. Taking a quick shot for example, have to release the shutter before the car is in shot, hit and miss at times.
Would have been difficult to get this with a delay.
Agree with everthing luca brazzi has said below. A good location certainly makes the job a lot easier.
quote:
If shooting a moving subject, pan the camera with the car before releasing the shutter, you are much more likely to get it in frame!
Jon H
On mine there is still a fraction of a delay to consider even in A or S priority but worse in Auto. Even after part depressing to get the settings, I find that with my right eye on the viewer and left eye on the car, in normal light I tend to get the shot, not the nose or the tail.
Mines an Olympus, maybe they are worse for delay? Looking at that shot above.
>> Edited by JMorgan on Friday 21st June 17:46
There is a new book out on the topic of photographing cars. Can't remember the exact name or the publisher but at £15-20 it's a damn sight cheaper than buying a digital camera! I suspect though that it's targetted at studio photography? I think I saw it featured in one of the recent classic car mags.
Today we have been at Castle Conmbe photographing the TVR track day event, My employee has a Canon D60, 300 2.8L and various other lens, he is a keen photographer and loves motor sports. Just got back and this camera lens combo is supurb, over 200 pics at 3000 x 2000 res of all the cars that were taking part. As for this digital camera it can do 3fps and shutterlag is non-existant.
Of course he got more than one of me! But great shots of all the other cars too.
David
Of course he got more than one of me! But great shots of all the other cars too.
David
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