Shooting cars outside
Discussion
Any tips for doing group shots of cars (or individual cars within a group) outdoors?
I realise that's a massively broad topic, but I thought I'd see if anything sprung to mind! Off the top of my head I'd hazard a guess that a few tricks of the trade to liven things up might be:
I realise that's a massively broad topic, but I thought I'd see if anything sprung to mind! Off the top of my head I'd hazard a guess that a few tricks of the trade to liven things up might be:
- Use the background to maximum effect
- Play around with depth of field if you're shooting individual cars within the group
- Consider some unusual angles - a bit of Swedish tilt
Nick Grant said:
And forget about the crazy angles, I've been there and I wish I hadn't.
Normally it's not something I'd consider. I took one of my paddock shots from a recent race meeting, though, and found that a very slight tilt added on photoshop actually gave it a bit more impact in my view. It just struck me as something that's worth considering if you've exhausted the other avenues of livening up a standard snapshot. Chris71 said:
- Consider some unusual angles - a bit of Swedish tilt
The key seems to be positioning the cars, as you've got to get them positioned perfectly, otherwise it just looks like an image from a Tesco car park CCTV. I'm staying tuned to this thread to see what other people can suggest.
tinman0 said:
I like it! 
Nick Grant said:
You need to stop printing onto old paper 
There was a very nice matt black something or other behind the pickup, but the owners (I'm assuming) just lent against it the whole time. Would have liked a picture of that, but not asking people to get off their own cars.
It was a 55 Chevy
Krispy-Kreme-March-2011-006 by NickGrant.co.uk, on Flickr
I like getting people in the shots myself
Krispy-Kreme-March-2011-006 by NickGrant.co.uk, on Flickr
I like getting people in the shots myself
Lighting plays a key part, avoid it being too harsh, and look out for reflections that take away from the car (some help to enhance/show the lines etc). Also keep an eye out for stuff that "stick out of the car" from the background, like posts/poles etc etc. Stand back once you think you have a good shot and look in the background for this sort of stuff. A circular polarizer can cut out reflections, but I sometimes like the look of them, and hate the rainbow you end up with in headlight lenses. Try it an
The angles thing might work well, but can make it look awkward too, best done with purpose in mind, rather than in "hope" that an angle will create a good shot by luck.
PS: I am no pro at all, just like to try what I can. A few shots I managed on my driveway:
The angles thing might work well, but can make it look awkward too, best done with purpose in mind, rather than in "hope" that an angle will create a good shot by luck.
PS: I am no pro at all, just like to try what I can. A few shots I managed on my driveway:
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