Taking pics at an angle....

[thatone1967]

Getting my camera back today and looking forward to spending loads of time time taking pics, hoping to have learnt a bit by Goodwood as Motorsport is my passion...

One question at this stage (the first of many) what's the deal / rule with regard to slanted pics like the one below... is there some thing like the "rule of thirds" or it personal preference?

[Ev_]

With panning shots it's usually good to have more space in front of the car than behind - it just looks right if the car has somewhere to "move into" - so with that in mind you're already on your way to following the rule of thirds.

Don't go too slanted, though - it can detract from the subject.

[Muska]

My personal rule is if I find myself turning my head when looking at the picture it's too much. I would never have tilted that much personally.

Same composition rules apply I think, lead in lines etc.

[Gemm]

Ev_ said:

With panning shots it's usually good to have more space in front of the car than behind - it just looks right if the car has somewhere to "move into" - so with that in mind you're already on your way to following the rule of thirds.

I think it's totally personal preference. It is true that it looks better with more space in front, but personally I feel your shot has too much space in front and that makes it look uncomfortable and unbalanced. I prefer the car to be in the centre on angle shots (or almost in the centre) - but then again it really depends on the individual shots.

[//dean]

Right, before I start I'm going to make it clear that I'm a grumpy, self-opinionated tosser and this is just my opinion, nobody has to listen to it:

Tilting the camera can work SOME of the time.

Generally speaking, you'll find it used most often by people who can't seem to get a good compostion of whatever they're shooting, and so they'll just tip the camera at angle to try and make it look better. Myself included.
These kind of photos will end up looking st.

However, if it's tilted for a reason (ie, road leading into the BG towards a vanishing point etc) it can look really effective.

It's all down to composition, don't tilt the camera to try and make something boring look better, it doesn't work.

Exhibits A) Tilted to try and add some aggression = looks st



Exhibits B) Tilted so that the road leads through image = Better

[GetCarter]

I'd just like to add (in another grumpy old man type of way) that shots 'at an angle' are SO last decade. Done to death, then most survivors murdered IMHO.

Agreed, sometimes they can still look great... but I am really pleased when I see a good shot of a car where the CAR is the point, not the 'attitude' of the photographer.

And before you trawl through my pics; yep there are lots... and that kinda' prooves my point (old fart)!

OK... I'll get back in my cage.

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 4th March 16:13

[nick_bbb]

I used to do this, LOADS, I now wish I hadn't.

Compare this shoot from a few years ago...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantgb/sets/72157603...

To this recent one ....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantgb/sets/72157623...

It's easy to slip into with cars to try and fit them all in the frame. Angles can work, just keep them in check.

[ruaricoles]

//dean said:

Right, before I start I'm going to make it clear that I'm a grumpy, self-opinionated tosser and this is just my opinion, nobody has to listen to it:

Makes perfect sense to me - I don't like your first two pics much (the 911 would definitely look better straightened), but the second two are great....

Ruari

[MonkeyHanger]

The problem with tilted shot is that most of the time the background makes them look ridiculous. Buildings / trees etc are generally vertical.....

[TomE]

thatone1967 said:

Getting my camera back today and looking forward to spending loads of time time taking pics, hoping to have learnt a bit by Goodwood as Motorsport is my passion...

One question at this stage (the first of many) what's the deal / rule with regard to slanted pics like the one below... is there some thing like the "rule of thirds" or it personal preference?

Bloody hell, I've only had my camera a couple of weeks and I've had one of my pictures used and abused already!

It's ok OP, a couple of beer tokens is all I ask in royalties......;)

I know the picture was a bit OTT, but I was just playing around really, I'll be sure to keep the cars level in future!