Advice on Car Photography
Discussion
Hi guys
My car will shortly be up for sale, so I am looking to take a few new pictures for both classified advertising and sentimental purposes
.
Just wondered if any of you have any tips or advice as to angles, composition, backdrops etc. I do have a creative streak in me (graphic designer by trade) so I have some ideas but would like some input from the professionals so to speak. I am limited to a Digital Camera (4 Megapixal Digital Ixus) which although creates good quality pics, it does not capture the colours you see in the flesh.
Any advice appreciated!
Here are some pics showing the car / colours
My car will shortly be up for sale, so I am looking to take a few new pictures for both classified advertising and sentimental purposes
. Just wondered if any of you have any tips or advice as to angles, composition, backdrops etc. I do have a creative streak in me (graphic designer by trade) so I have some ideas but would like some input from the professionals so to speak. I am limited to a Digital Camera (4 Megapixal Digital Ixus) which although creates good quality pics, it does not capture the colours you see in the flesh.
Any advice appreciated!
Here are some pics showing the car / colours
Edited by PinkPanther on Friday 7th July 17:27
I'm no car photography expert (though I do shoot weddings as part of my living), though your attempts so far look pretty good.
Not sure what effect is has when shooting flip paint it's best to photograph cars when it's a bright but cloudy day as the clouds act as a softbox and given nice evenly spread light. Try not to shoot with strong sunlight directly on the car as it is not flattering as it creates too many reflections and blemishes, also it has a habit of illuminating and highlighting ugly areas such as inside the wheel arches. Plus for example, the interior shot has been spoiled by the bright over-exposed (known digitally as blown) areas and is too contrasty.
Did you use a polariser filter in the second shot of the side of the car or is that just the sun? A polariser will help deepen the colour of the car and remove some unwanted reflections but use it carefully, you can over cook it.
Simple general shots often work best when the camera is set to the height of the car's waistline, and when shooting at 3/4 angles put the opposite rear and front wheels almost in line, this will help balance the proportions.
Putting the horizon on an angle gives images a nice edge like you have done with the head on shot. A good shot is getting low down nr the front wheel using a wide angle lens and placing the car pointing up to the top corner of the frame too.
Don't forget if you want to create arty timeless shots...remove the tax disk before you start snapping!!
If you are selling the car though I would suggest simple, clean, bright straightforward images would be best to show off what you have.
Not sure what effect is has when shooting flip paint it's best to photograph cars when it's a bright but cloudy day as the clouds act as a softbox and given nice evenly spread light. Try not to shoot with strong sunlight directly on the car as it is not flattering as it creates too many reflections and blemishes, also it has a habit of illuminating and highlighting ugly areas such as inside the wheel arches. Plus for example, the interior shot has been spoiled by the bright over-exposed (known digitally as blown) areas and is too contrasty.
Did you use a polariser filter in the second shot of the side of the car or is that just the sun? A polariser will help deepen the colour of the car and remove some unwanted reflections but use it carefully, you can over cook it.
Simple general shots often work best when the camera is set to the height of the car's waistline, and when shooting at 3/4 angles put the opposite rear and front wheels almost in line, this will help balance the proportions.
Putting the horizon on an angle gives images a nice edge like you have done with the head on shot. A good shot is getting low down nr the front wheel using a wide angle lens and placing the car pointing up to the top corner of the frame too.
Don't forget if you want to create arty timeless shots...remove the tax disk before you start snapping!!
If you are selling the car though I would suggest simple, clean, bright straightforward images would be best to show off what you have.
Edited by snapper seven on Friday 7th July 22:13
snapper seven said:
I'm no car photography expert (though I do shoot weddings as part of my living), though your attempts so far look pretty good.
Not sure what effect is has when shooting flip paint it's best to photograph cars when it's a bright but cloudy day as the clouds act as a softbox and given nice evenly spread light. Try not to shoot with strong sunlight directly on the car as it is not flattering as it creates too many reflections and blemishes, also it has a habit of illuminating and highlighting ugly areas such as inside the wheel arches. Plus for example, the interior shot has been spoiled by the bright over-exposed (known digitally as blown) areas and is too contrasty.
Did you use a polariser filter in the second shot of the side of the car or is that just the sun? A polariser will help deepen the colour of the car and remove some unwanted reflections but use it carefully, you can over cook it.
Simple general shots often work best when the camera is set to the height of the car's waistline, and when shooting at 3/4 angles put the opposite rear and front wheels almost in line, this will help balance the proportions.
Putting the horizon on an angle gives images a nice edge like you have done with the head on shot. A good shot is getting low down nr the front wheel using a wide angle lens and placing the car pointing up to the top corner of the frame too.
Don't forget if you want to create arty timeless shots...remove the tax disk before you start snapping!!
If you are selling the car though I would suggest simple, clean, bright straightforward images would be best to show off what you have.
Not sure what effect is has when shooting flip paint it's best to photograph cars when it's a bright but cloudy day as the clouds act as a softbox and given nice evenly spread light. Try not to shoot with strong sunlight directly on the car as it is not flattering as it creates too many reflections and blemishes, also it has a habit of illuminating and highlighting ugly areas such as inside the wheel arches. Plus for example, the interior shot has been spoiled by the bright over-exposed (known digitally as blown) areas and is too contrasty.
Did you use a polariser filter in the second shot of the side of the car or is that just the sun? A polariser will help deepen the colour of the car and remove some unwanted reflections but use it carefully, you can over cook it.
Simple general shots often work best when the camera is set to the height of the car's waistline, and when shooting at 3/4 angles put the opposite rear and front wheels almost in line, this will help balance the proportions.
Putting the horizon on an angle gives images a nice edge like you have done with the head on shot. A good shot is getting low down nr the front wheel using a wide angle lens and placing the car pointing up to the top corner of the frame too.
Don't forget if you want to create arty timeless shots...remove the tax disk before you start snapping!!
If you are selling the car though I would suggest simple, clean, bright straightforward images would be best to show off what you have.
Edited by snapper seven on Friday 7th July 22:13
Thanks for the feedback snapper seven, much appreciated. I'll put together a few pics using the techniques you mention. Never would have thought of the tax disc idea btw!
The second shot of the car is simply taken in sunlight, the shot prior in overcast conditions. Unfortunately the effect is far better in the flesh (vibrant coppers, oranges and bronzes) and the camera fails to capture this - it might have to be a photoshop job to try and get these colours right.
As for backgrounds, I've thought of the deserted NY Moors roads (literally a stone's throw from me) or an industrialised or urban backdrop. What do you think?
Quite like the pics on here (www.pistonheads.com/sales/85893.htm), though these, as you said, are perhaps for my benefit rather than the advert.
I think seven's covered everything that I would have suggested.
As for the background, yes, moors should be good. What you have to watch out for in the background is things growing out of the cars, e.g. trees, lamp posts, sign posts etc, and try to make it as simple as possible, i.e. less distraction.
As for the background, yes, moors should be good. What you have to watch out for in the background is things growing out of the cars, e.g. trees, lamp posts, sign posts etc, and try to make it as simple as possible, i.e. less distraction.
Edited by Gemm on Friday 7th July 23:00
I'd say that "photographing cars" is very different to "photographing my car for sale"...
For the sale, I'd choose a neutral contrasting background (probably grass to punch the car out into the foreground) and take one from the drivers side front looking at the car three quarters on, then repeat this shot from the passenger rear. This enable a prospective buyer to see both sides of the car in two shots. An interior shot would then complete the triology
I personally would not use "arty" shots as the main shots to sell my car, I would think as a prospective buyer that the photos may have been "tweaked" to hide something on the car.
My 2p worth.
Chris
For the sale, I'd choose a neutral contrasting background (probably grass to punch the car out into the foreground) and take one from the drivers side front looking at the car three quarters on, then repeat this shot from the passenger rear. This enable a prospective buyer to see both sides of the car in two shots. An interior shot would then complete the triology
I personally would not use "arty" shots as the main shots to sell my car, I would think as a prospective buyer that the photos may have been "tweaked" to hide something on the car.
My 2p worth.
Chris
I know its too far north, but some of the best TVR pics I have seen were shot on the beach at Bamburgh in Northumberland and on a grass field overlooking Holy Island. I know you can drive onto the beach at various points on the North Yorks coast (Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay etc) but I think that with the ground clearance of that thing it might well be impossible. The 4-5am sunrise skies out there can be absolutely spectacular and at that time of day there is hardly anyone about.
<shameless plug mode on> I have a friend who runs a company in his spare time called CarCapture www.carcapture.co.uk/ basically taking photographs of your pride an joy, really top bloke, and excellent pictures to boot, he's based near Goole, so you could meet halfway on the moors and get some really nice shots. He's quoting on the site £100 for a 2-3 hour photo shoot, plus travel but give him a ring and he'll sort you something out. </shameless plug>
I don't know if you're after snaps of the car, or something you can frame for posterity... but if it's the latter, give Simon a call
Matthew
I don't know if you're after snaps of the car, or something you can frame for posterity... but if it's the latter, give Simon a call
Matthew
I would look in your favourite car magazine at any shots that you like and try to copy them...even take the magazine with you when you do it.
As you intend to sell the car it would be worth writing a list of all the shots you need, in particular the details etc. that you want to show off or are particular selling points, this will stop you forgetting anything. I would suggest something along the lines of:
front 3/4 (try 70% front 30% side)
rear 3/4
front straight on
rear straight on
side profile (shoot this from the cars height and make sure its a perfect side profile (no elevation etc)
interior
wheels
engine bay
details might include
rear lights
front lights
dials
any other nice interior touches
seats
any vents / grilles / styling touches
badges
brake calipers
That will cover most eventualities and show whoever is looking "around" the car.
Matt
As you intend to sell the car it would be worth writing a list of all the shots you need, in particular the details etc. that you want to show off or are particular selling points, this will stop you forgetting anything. I would suggest something along the lines of:
front 3/4 (try 70% front 30% side)
rear 3/4
front straight on
rear straight on
side profile (shoot this from the cars height and make sure its a perfect side profile (no elevation etc)
interior
wheels
engine bay
details might include
rear lights
front lights
dials
any other nice interior touches
seats
any vents / grilles / styling touches
badges
brake calipers
That will cover most eventualities and show whoever is looking "around" the car.
Matt
Hi guys. Thanks for all the replies!
Been up on the moors this morning, bit of a dull day but had a chance to capture a range of shots.
Car advert on PH: www.pistonheads.com/sales/87373.htm
And a few other pics...
Comments and constructive criticism welcomed
Been up on the moors this morning, bit of a dull day but had a chance to capture a range of shots.
Car advert on PH: www.pistonheads.com/sales/87373.htm
And a few other pics...
Comments and constructive criticism welcomed
Hello PP!
All these would benefit from a bit more contrast in my opinion, an possibly some saturation increase as well.
Unfortunately the sky is over exposed in them all, so where you might have had moody grey clouds you instead have a blown out area.
On a grey day clouds can be used to your advantage but you have to expose for the sky rather than the car. Of course I'm assuming your camera allows control over exposure which it may not, in which case I apologise!
Composition wise the 4th one is best I think, but I'd clone out the signposts if it were mine.
The sagaris is a very dramatic car, and I think you can capture this with some wider angle stuff:
All these would benefit from a bit more contrast in my opinion, an possibly some saturation increase as well.
Unfortunately the sky is over exposed in them all, so where you might have had moody grey clouds you instead have a blown out area.
On a grey day clouds can be used to your advantage but you have to expose for the sky rather than the car. Of course I'm assuming your camera allows control over exposure which it may not, in which case I apologise!
Composition wise the 4th one is best I think, but I'd clone out the signposts if it were mine.
The sagaris is a very dramatic car, and I think you can capture this with some wider angle stuff:
Pink Panther - nothing wrong with those. Really like the first shot as it's nice even lighting, a good angle, plus a good choice of location and background as the roof line of the car hasn't bled into the sky like the other photos (this would be where a polariser filter would help combat this).
Little things to watch out for are rubbish like that white string on the ground infront of the car in the second image, obviously that can easily be removed on Photoshop but it's the attention to detail that makes the difference.
Good result with the interior too, much better than your first attempt.
Good luck with selling the car (so to speak
)
Little things to watch out for are rubbish like that white string on the ground infront of the car in the second image, obviously that can easily be removed on Photoshop but it's the attention to detail that makes the difference.
Good result with the interior too, much better than your first attempt.
Good luck with selling the car (so to speak
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