Settings for taking pictures of a motorbike
Discussion
I have a Nikon D3200 with a 18-55 and a 18-200 lens. I have to admit I use it on auto most of the time and it takes good shots. I know nothing about photography, just starting to learn...
My brother has asked me to take some shots of his Harley and MX5 as he is selling both and wants some good pictures for EBay and to send to people. The Harley in particular is mint and I want to bring that out in the photographs.
I intend to take the shops on a sunny day with the bike and car in a rural location.
If I move from auto, what settings should I start with, and any tips for getting sharp shots?
My brother has asked me to take some shots of his Harley and MX5 as he is selling both and wants some good pictures for EBay and to send to people. The Harley in particular is mint and I want to bring that out in the photographs.
I intend to take the shops on a sunny day with the bike and car in a rural location.
If I move from auto, what settings should I start with, and any tips for getting sharp shots?
Try using the manual option. Set the white balance to daylight, setting the aperture to F8 should allow for most of the subject to be in focus. Set the ISO to 100 (if sunny) a bit higher if not. This will give you they best quality - not really needed for online but he may want to use the pics for other things. Set the shutter speed to get the right exposure and try some test shots.
In direct sunlight you'll get harsh shadows and probably some blown highlights (especially on the metal of the bike) so you might be better off finding a bit of shade (maybe under a tree). If you have a flash this could fill in the shadows.
If the images look too dark lower the shutter speed. If you are not getting all that you want in focus increase the F number (reduce the aperture).
If you have a tripod this may also help.
In direct sunlight you'll get harsh shadows and probably some blown highlights (especially on the metal of the bike) so you might be better off finding a bit of shade (maybe under a tree). If you have a flash this could fill in the shadows.
If the images look too dark lower the shutter speed. If you are not getting all that you want in focus increase the F number (reduce the aperture).
If you have a tripod this may also help.
A sunny day might be more of a hindrance than a help. It'll cause harsh shadows and bright reflections, unless you wait for the golden hour around sunset when the light is a lot softer.
If you're taking pictures to help him sell it then I'd suggest looking at other bike/car adverts and pictures on flickr etc. and coming up with a plan. Ideally how many pictures are you going to take? bearing in mind the basic to sell a car/bike is 1 along each side, one of the front and back and then at least one of the interior/seat/clocks and all of the other shiny little things that Harley owners love. Have an idea in your head of what you want before you start.
settings wise try A(aperture priority) mode, as you're trying to sell it then you want the whole frame in focus so an aperture of around f5.6-9 at around 50mm, the camera will sort the shutter speed for you. Get low, on your knees, and use the lines of the car/bike to draw peoples attention. Once you have a few good shots you're happy with then start playing around with the settings to see what else you can do.
Someone else more knowledgeable will likely come along soon and give you better advice.
If you're taking pictures to help him sell it then I'd suggest looking at other bike/car adverts and pictures on flickr etc. and coming up with a plan. Ideally how many pictures are you going to take? bearing in mind the basic to sell a car/bike is 1 along each side, one of the front and back and then at least one of the interior/seat/clocks and all of the other shiny little things that Harley owners love. Have an idea in your head of what you want before you start.
settings wise try A(aperture priority) mode, as you're trying to sell it then you want the whole frame in focus so an aperture of around f5.6-9 at around 50mm, the camera will sort the shutter speed for you. Get low, on your knees, and use the lines of the car/bike to draw peoples attention. Once you have a few good shots you're happy with then start playing around with the settings to see what else you can do.
Someone else more knowledgeable will likely come along soon and give you better advice.
Less directly related, but when selling I'd suggest also having some video that have starting & running show can easily show that the engine sounds/runs as well as the body looks.
When I sold my Blackbird I did a couple of vids and had them on youtube for anyone who asked - helped decied for a guy who lived up North and bought it
When I sold my Blackbird I did a couple of vids and had them on youtube for anyone who asked - helped decied for a guy who lived up North and bought it
Getting the camera in the right setting is a good start but only half the battle. I'd also spend some time looking at professional images of cars. motorcycles and see what angles they have used and the composition. You could find the perfect camera setting and still have pictures that don't sell the product.
Worth thinking about ;-)
Worth thinking about ;-)
Try standing different distances and zooming in - a longer lens is often more flattering. And also think about the height the camera is when taking a picture - lower also usually looks better. As others have said bright sunlight could be a problem as sunlight reflections are likely to be far to bright. Maybe find a shaded area with a suitable backdrop.
On a less serious note there's also a thread on general gassing that suggests a scantily clad lady in the picture helps too
On a less serious note there's also a thread on general gassing that suggests a scantily clad lady in the picture helps too
The worst thing you could do for an advert is take blurry pictures, which can happen either because the lens is not focussed on the subject or because the camera moves during the exposure....so make sure the shutter speed is high enough (unless you have a tripod). Easiest way to do that is to use shutter priority (marked 'S' on Nikon dial, 'T' on Canon) and set it to at least the same number as your focal length on the lens (but preferably double to be sure). I.e. if you are shooting at 55mm, go for at least 1/60th second, but 1/125th would be better. Bear in mind this is a rule of thumb and depends how steady your hands are!
andy-xr said:
Yeah, you know...A for Amateur, P for professional, S for um....
Pete Baraka said:
Another trick I use is to bounce some daylight into the dark areas using a large silver reflector -
I hope we're not bombarding you with too many options, OP!
Pete
Thanks. That's just the sort of shot I want to achieve... Love the MV... as a kid I used to look in the window of George Lathe in Wolverhampton at a bike just like that... started my love of Italian bikesI hope we're not bombarding you with too many options, OP!
Pete
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