What makes a good photo?
Discussion
Hello fellow PH people,
This is a shot I did of my Clio 172 one evening last week. It was taken with the sun getting pretty low in the sky. I really like it although the car has come out maybe a little [i]too[/i] dark:
[pic]http://rick.runtingz.com/sunset2.jpg[/pic]
Here is another one.
[pic]http://rick.runtingz.com/sunny.jpg[/pic]
Now, whilst I like the top pic a lot, I can't help but think it was more by luck than judgement that I was able to get that composition together. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time! The second picture has come out like an advert that you'd stick in autotrader. lol Theres nothing particularly interesting about it and it doesn't really jump out at you. I want to be able to take good pictures of the car that really show it off.
So I'm wondering if there are any tips or hard and fast rules to taking static shots like these? What sort of backgrounds should I go for? What angles and lighting positions give the best results etc? Or any general pointers that you peeps could give would be good!
Cheers in advance
:)
Rick
This is a shot I did of my Clio 172 one evening last week. It was taken with the sun getting pretty low in the sky. I really like it although the car has come out maybe a little [i]too[/i] dark:
[pic]http://rick.runtingz.com/sunset2.jpg[/pic]
Here is another one.
[pic]http://rick.runtingz.com/sunny.jpg[/pic]
Now, whilst I like the top pic a lot, I can't help but think it was more by luck than judgement that I was able to get that composition together. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time! The second picture has come out like an advert that you'd stick in autotrader. lol Theres nothing particularly interesting about it and it doesn't really jump out at you. I want to be able to take good pictures of the car that really show it off.
So I'm wondering if there are any tips or hard and fast rules to taking static shots like these? What sort of backgrounds should I go for? What angles and lighting positions give the best results etc? Or any general pointers that you peeps could give would be good!
Cheers in advance
:)
Rick
Rick_172 said:
This is a shot I did of my Clio 172 one evening last week. It was taken with the sun getting pretty low in the sky. I really like it although the car has come out maybe a little too dark:
The camera can't expose for the car and the sky at the same time. That's why the car is car is too dark and the sky is burnt out. You either have to decide which one you want, or use flash to help even things up a bit.
Rick_172 said:
Now, whilst I like the top pic a lot, I can't help but think it was more by luck than judgement that I was able to get that composition together. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time!
No, you happened to put yourself in the right place to get a more interesting shot! All you have to do is practice doing this wittingly instead of unwittingly
Rick_172 said:
The second picture has come out like an advert that you'd stick in autotrader. lol Theres nothing particularly interesting about it and it doesn't really jump out at you. I want to be able to take good pictures of the car that really show it off... So I'm wondering if there are any tips or hard and fast rules to taking static shots like these? What sort of backgrounds should I go for? What angles and lighting positions give the best results etc? Or any general pointers that you peeps could give would be good!
Background - this may sound obvious but find something interesting. Then park the car in front of it. I prefer wheels out to in; more aggressive. Lighting - natural light is best, just make sure there's not too much difference between foreground and background or you'll hit the same problems as before. Avoid shooting into the light for now; use the sun to do the lighting and move the car as required.
As for making a car look more interesting, IMHO the key is angle. Two aspects: 1) angle of view of lens - wide angle is generally more dramatic. 2) Walk around. Squat down. Look through the viewfinder. Does it look any better from there? Stand up again. Try a different angle. Etc etc.
Finally, look at car photos you like. What have they done that you didn't? Can you copy it?
Well that's my 4p
>> Edited by simpo two on Tuesday 21st June 21:45
?? 
Spoil Sport! 
"Let's go Shopping" as Dick Dale once sang.... Rick siad:
"What sort of backgrounds should I go for? What angles and lighting positions give the best results etc? Or any general pointers that you peeps could give would be good!"
I suggest you check out Matts site - he seems to have the eye for it: www.mattwatkinson.com
Steve
"What sort of backgrounds should I go for? What angles and lighting positions give the best results etc? Or any general pointers that you peeps could give would be good!"
I suggest you check out Matts site - he seems to have the eye for it: www.mattwatkinson.com
Steve
Praise indeed from captain Steve.
This is an interesting thread. I will try to write something useful at some point. Im a bit frazzled from france but atm, but what gets me so far is the difference of approach between me and simpo.
Simpo says: "The camera can't expose for the car and the sky at the same time. That's why the car is car is too dark and the sky is burnt out. You either have to decide which one you want, or use flash to help even things up a bit."
Here id just blow the sky out or use a grad. Its a photo of the car so the car should be exposed right. Flash tends to make a mess (maybe thats just be being crap with a flash).
Simpo says: "Background - this may sound obvious but find something interesting. Then park the car in front of it."
Id find something boring so it doesnt distract from the car. I like plain backgrounds because although they may not always be striking they always work.
Simpo says: "wide angle is generally more dramatic"
I shoot most of mine between 100-200mm to flatten the perspective and seperate the car from the background.
Weird. Guess there are no right or wrong answers!
Matt
This is an interesting thread. I will try to write something useful at some point. Im a bit frazzled from france but atm, but what gets me so far is the difference of approach between me and simpo.
Simpo says: "The camera can't expose for the car and the sky at the same time. That's why the car is car is too dark and the sky is burnt out. You either have to decide which one you want, or use flash to help even things up a bit."
Here id just blow the sky out or use a grad. Its a photo of the car so the car should be exposed right. Flash tends to make a mess (maybe thats just be being crap with a flash).
Simpo says: "Background - this may sound obvious but find something interesting. Then park the car in front of it."
Id find something boring so it doesnt distract from the car. I like plain backgrounds because although they may not always be striking they always work.
Simpo says: "wide angle is generally more dramatic"
I shoot most of mine between 100-200mm to flatten the perspective and seperate the car from the background.
Weird. Guess there are no right or wrong answers!
Matt
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