How do you photograph a car?
Discussion
I know it seems a stupid question, but I'm serious. Most of my chances for photographing cars are short and generally in odd locations, so I don't have many, if any, chances to experiment taking photos of cars. My recent attempts have seemed very dull, not capturing the moment or magic of that car. I don't know if its the setting, the car itself not being very photogenic or me just being a crap photographer 
I know there are some amazing photographers on here, so any chance you could give me tips? I know its dependant on the car and I'm limited by time/budget/equiptment, but I'm sure you could give me some general tips?
I've attached a couple of my better attempts for you to give me some feedback on
I know there are some amazing photographers on here, so any chance you could give me tips? I know its dependant on the car and I'm limited by time/budget/equiptment, but I'm sure you could give me some general tips?
I've attached a couple of my better attempts for you to give me some feedback on
you want a background that blends with the car. somthing thats not going to distract you from the main focus of the image. have a look at some good car photos. Matt posted a very nice image of an Aston V8 not long ago have a look back through the forum. Things you don't want are lamp post etc sticking out the top or have loads of clutter in the background. also don't always take from eye level and don't have the tyre tread showing on the front tyres.
HankScorpio said:
Some good tips in there, but I'm not too sure about their examples of "great photos".
HankScorpio said:
Blimey, he likes to harp on about using forced flash though. Not sure I agree with him on that at all.
Touching Cloth said:
HankScorpio said:
Blimey, he likes to harp on about using forced flash though. Not sure I agree with him on that at all.
I did think that too. I like a good bit of shadow in the mix.
as stated above, location plays a major role.
The Aston, for example, would look good outside a casino maybe? (naff Bond theme I know) perhaps with a really slow shutter speed as traffic passes in the background - a sort of regal, elegance as all around hustles by? Outside a stately home or country house hotel would also suit.
The Civic, I would suggest would look good at night in an industrial setting - maybe a deserted industrial estate but with a black and white pic?
The Aston, for example, would look good outside a casino maybe? (naff Bond theme I know) perhaps with a really slow shutter speed as traffic passes in the background - a sort of regal, elegance as all around hustles by? Outside a stately home or country house hotel would also suit.
The Civic, I would suggest would look good at night in an industrial setting - maybe a deserted industrial estate but with a black and white pic?
Touching Cloth said:
HankScorpio said:
Blimey, he likes to harp on about using forced flash though. Not sure I agree with him on that at all.
all he means is forcing th flash to come on. you can do the same with a dSLR when you pop the flash up or fit a flash gun.
The biggest tip is not pop your subject bang in the centre, google for "rule of thirds" - it is really good at helping to balance your pics and add a bit of interest. A quick crop and play of your top pic produces this:
If you haven't got photoshop or another editing program then download Picassa, the above adjustments were all done in that (I have photoshop but still find I use Picassa often for a quick fiddle ....... er
)
Ideally of course you want to get the composition right in the camera, and watch the exposure in the sky's, if its pale an uninteresting then always helps to add a quick graduated tint in (again either with filter at photo stage or afterwards with a paint prog like Picassa).
If you haven't got photoshop or another editing program then download Picassa, the above adjustments were all done in that (I have photoshop but still find I use Picassa often for a quick fiddle ....... er
) Ideally of course you want to get the composition right in the camera, and watch the exposure in the sky's, if its pale an uninteresting then always helps to add a quick graduated tint in (again either with filter at photo stage or afterwards with a paint prog like Picassa).
Edited by Touching Cloth on Wednesday 7th June 10:22
poah said:
Touching Cloth said:
HankScorpio said:
Blimey, he likes to harp on about using forced flash though. Not sure I agree with him on that at all.
all he means is forcing th flash to come on. you can do the same with a dSLR when you pop the flash up or fit a flash gun.
i have never seen someone who advocates using fill in flash all the time who doesn't overdo the effect, especially on pictures of people. for example his picture of the girls on the beach - it is better with the fill flash, but he needs to set the flash exposure compensation to about -2/3 (and also maybe consider looking through the viewfinder when he's composing). "Now that [would be] a photograph"
tuscan_thunder said:
as stated above, location plays a major role.
The Aston, for example, would look good outside a casino maybe? (naff Bond theme I know) perhaps with a really slow shutter speed as traffic passes in the background - a sort of regal, elegance as all around hustles by? Outside a stately home or country house hotel would also suit.
The Civic, I would suggest would look good at night in an industrial setting - maybe a deserted industrial estate but with a black and white pic?
The Aston, for example, would look good outside a casino maybe? (naff Bond theme I know) perhaps with a really slow shutter speed as traffic passes in the background - a sort of regal, elegance as all around hustles by? Outside a stately home or country house hotel would also suit.
The Civic, I would suggest would look good at night in an industrial setting - maybe a deserted industrial estate but with a black and white pic?
I could probably get the Civic for a quick photoshoot (its my mums
) but cars like the Aston aren't mine so I wouldn't want to ask to use it for a shoot. I also can't think of any casino's/similar round here that would be suitable. A couple of weeks ago I posted up some TVR shots, but again I was only able to photograph them in the hotel car park we were staying in, and I find photographing cars in convoy dam difficult as well 
. I know the Aston isn't a sheep herders car (would have been in Wales then 
) but we had just parked up there and I took a couple of quick photos while I had the chance. I need a better camera as well!
Edited by southpaw on Wednesday 7th June 11:00
dcw@pr said:
poah said:
Touching Cloth said:
HankScorpio said:
Blimey, he likes to harp on about using forced flash though. Not sure I agree with him on that at all.
all he means is forcing th flash to come on. you can do the same with a dSLR when you pop the flash up or fit a flash gun.
i have never seen someone who advocates using fill in flash all the time who doesn't overdo the effect, especially on pictures of people. for example his picture of the girls on the beach - it is better with the fill flash, but he needs to set the flash exposure compensation to about -2/3 (and also maybe consider looking through the viewfinder when he's composing). "Now that [would be] a photograph"
I agree, fill flash only works when you cannot actually tell it has been used (well without comparing the pics side by side); to just pump enough flash into a scene to lift some details into the shadows is one thing, but to advocate it's use in every internal shot is silly. The example shots on there you could tell flash had been used even without the comparison shot - When you view a scene with your eyes you have those same shadows so to overcome it will more often than not make a scene unnatural IMO. If you really want to pump some light back into the shadows then far better to have a reflector with you, will give a much more natural and softer look.
S.
(a natural light advocate, don't even own a flashgun for my Slr
Try to get a decent polarisation filter to dim the shiny bits, I use flash for engine bay and interior but always make a pic without flash too, try to start of with standard lens focus, wide-angle can be tempting but often results in deformed shapes you don't want. If you've a cheap cam try to loose as much of sky as possible . . . colours get better that way. Not too much / even light is great for shooting cars, I like cloudy skies to get low-contrast situations.
Not trying to show off, easy background helps to bring out these colourfull cars .
See what dim light can do? With a low contrast the car lacks the shiny bits . . . no pola-filter here btw.
Shame about that yellow sign though . . .
Not trying to show off, easy background helps to bring out these colourfull cars .
See what dim light can do? With a low contrast the car lacks the shiny bits . . . no pola-filter here btw.
Shame about that yellow sign though . . .
[quote=dcw@pr
i have never seen someone who advocates using fill in flash all the time who doesn't overdo the effect, especially on pictures of people. for example his picture of the girls on the beach - it is better with the fill flash, but he needs to set the flash exposure compensation to about -2/3 (and also maybe consider looking through the viewfinder when he's composing). "Now that [would be] a photograph"[/quote]
not all cameras hae FEC though. I use Flash quite a lot outside in bright weather when taking pics of my son. I tend to use too little lol.
i have never seen someone who advocates using fill in flash all the time who doesn't overdo the effect, especially on pictures of people. for example his picture of the girls on the beach - it is better with the fill flash, but he needs to set the flash exposure compensation to about -2/3 (and also maybe consider looking through the viewfinder when he's composing). "Now that [would be] a photograph"[/quote]
not all cameras hae FEC though. I use Flash quite a lot outside in bright weather when taking pics of my son. I tend to use too little lol.
I think cropping the gate off causes the image to be effectively cut in half.
Vignetting is also over-used on car shots (not least by me) but it is useful in instances like this where the sky is very bright in a generally dark image, and there is a big dominating piece of tarmac in the foreground. The hedge just behind the car is also quite light.
Someone should come up with quick but secure fittings for number plates so they can be removed for photo sessions!
Vignetting is also over-used on car shots (not least by me) but it is useful in instances like this where the sky is very bright in a generally dark image, and there is a big dominating piece of tarmac in the foreground. The hedge just behind the car is also quite light.
Someone should come up with quick but secure fittings for number plates so they can be removed for photo sessions!
Zad said:
Someone should come up with quick but secure fittings for number plates so they can be removed for photo sessions!
Yeh I know I bodged the plate blanking a bit
Problem with this one is due to the grill, it isn't screwed on but it attached to a metal plate, which goes through the front grill then is attached behind the grill - really fiddly to get at! I think the photo's good, but I hate that car! It's such a shame that it's an Aston. It's mouth is horrible, and it's got an arse on its roof. The window line looks crap from the back as well. Nice rear, though.
As for the photos, I think that the main problem is the location, but I sympathise with your problems with time/money/equipment etc. I'm in the same boat.
As for the photos, I think that the main problem is the location, but I sympathise with your problems with time/money/equipment etc. I'm in the same boat.
lightningghost said:
I think the photo's good, but I hate that car! It's such a shame that it's an Aston. It's mouth is horrible, and it's got an arse on its roof. The window line looks crap from the back as well. Nice rear, though.
I know what you mean, I've taken a few photos of that car and seen others have taken that make it look horrible. From some angles its a disgrace to Aston, but from others its beautiful. Its different in real life to photos as well 
The owner also owns some far more beautiful cars though to make up for it, including another Aston and an E type 
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