Man and his Car - advice please

[wendyg]

OK, through my own silly pride I have got in a little deeper than I wanted.

This morning my senior collegue said 'I need to ask you a favour', I thought he probably wants me to see a patient for him or something. 'Our PR people have got me a slot in the local trendy paper in the "My Car" bit, so I need a photo of me with the Range Rover.'

My instant response was, Ok I'll take some pics, but I can't promise professional quality. But I didn't get a chance to say this.

Another collegue was there, and for some reason she regards me as some sort of competitor. She chirps up 'I can take a photo too, you know!' at which point the senior collegue says 'But you haven't won an award!' Senior partner knows that I haven't won an award, just a win and a couple of places in really minor local/specialist comps.

So of course I say yes I'll take these pics, but now the expectation is a bit higher.


So..
I don't think they are looking for urban gritty drama shots.

but, I don't want to just take pics on the street outside his house.

I also don't want any cheesy poses - what works and why?

I appreciate any advice.

[Andy M]

What's his personality? How does he use the car?

How's the picture to be used? How big will the photo be printed?

Is there any £ involved, and would you/he be willing to provide props?

[Famous Graham]

I believe there's a photo kicking around of a chap and his Range Rover that might inspire...

[davidd]

Is it the sort of RR that gets off road or not? If so then find a muddy track if not then park it outside the school, ahops etc, etc

On a slightly more serious note I would suspect you could do a lot with the square angles and there are a lot of flat surfaces to reflect stuff off.

D

[crmcatee]

A RR's the right height to lean on the bonnet. If he's got a dog - put it on the bonnet also.

[CVP]

crmcatee said:

A RR's the right height to lean on the bonnet. If he's got a dog - put it on the bonnet also.

If he's an outdoor type fellow (or likes to think he is) I really like this suggestion.

Chris

[Andy M]

I was going to suggest that you get him to sit on the picnic fold tailgate - something which is synonymous with the car.

[_dobbo_]

What you want is an offroad rigshot with him driving the car....

[pauljc]

If you can get your hands on previous copies of this trendy paper have a look at the type of photos that they have been using. Maybe they have an online version to give you an idea.

[wendyg]

OK, his character. Very much more sophisticated urban professional than rugged offroader. (Not going to do his green cred any favours, having an urban 4x4!) Family man, three teenage kids. We tease him that he's a bit of a poser, but he's not really - likely to be willing to try different stuff though, and not shy in front of a camera.

I'll definately try to get hold of a copy of the mag, doubt the pic will need to be big, but I'll take it at max resolution anyway. Positive there will be no money involved!! (Wonder if I could get a picture credit though, although I may not want to if the final result isn't great!)

[Andy M]

How about him being clothed in a sharp suit, but with a muddy pair of wellies, sat on the fold down boot lid and holding a Financial Times/company accounts but with kids toys almost spilling out of the boot?

What's he hoping to get out of the shoot? What image does he want to present?

[andy-xr]

^^ ...with a horse!

[R5GTTGAZ]

Running over a Greenpeace protestor

[wendyg]

I think the idea is a little light profile raising rather than something in-depth. All I really think he's after is a clear pic of him and the RR, where he doesn't look like a smug idiot. (He did say he was nearly going to get his 16 year old daughter to take the pic, but that she is incapable of taking a pic of someone unless they are pouting!)

One of my worries is what to do if the weather is a bit grim. It's all been grey and dull here for the last few days, and we're limited by when we're both free - suggestions?

[Andy M]

wendyg said:

One of my worries is what to do if the weather is a bit grim. It's all been grey and dull...

Perfect for portraits, nice diffused light

Edited by Andy M on Wednesday 28th January 22:29

[wendyg]

Andy M said:

wendyg said:

One of my worries is what to do if the weather is a bit grim. It's all been grey and dull...

Perfect for portraits, nice diffused light

Edited by Andy M on Wednesday 28th January 22:29

Diffused is one thing, but leaden skies are another!

I've found the on-line version of the mag as suggested before, and that's given me few ideas about what they're after. I probably don't need to worry about featuring the car - some of the pics are basically portraits, you wouldn't know what the car was unless you have a penchant for wing mirrors (some of you may!)