First attempt at car photography. C+C welcome...
Discussion
As my previous thread suggested I've been wanting to shoot my (albeit very unexciting) car for a long time, more from the point of having a go a photography (with a subject I enjoy) than wanting amazing pictures of my humble machine. I've got mixed opinions about my shots, but would love any comments & criticism on what I've done so far. Anyway, in no particular order, here they are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Edit: Formatting error
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Edit: Formatting error
Edited by Synchromesh on Sunday 3rd April 18:26
I would say that the only one that stands out is the one shot against the roller doors but it needs a tighter crop.
Most seem to incorporate too much background and not enough car. Perhaps try shooting in areas with less distracting backgrounds. For instance you totally lose the car on the one taken with all the colourfull houses in the background.
Most seem to incorporate too much background and not enough car. Perhaps try shooting in areas with less distracting backgrounds. For instance you totally lose the car on the one taken with all the colourfull houses in the background.
They are great for first attempt. Keep at it. 
Ok, here are my humble opinions....
1 - needs to be sharp. Panning shots just need to be sharp. You could start trying from faster shutter speed then gradually go slower + slower. (1/25s is very challenging even for experienced photographers)
3 - there are far too many things in the shots, taking away all the impact from the subject.
4 - has so much potential as the location is brilliant. I'd probably go lower and reduce the foreground a bit.
5 - is probably my favourite. Perfect background and composition. Perhaps the angle of the car could be better, and some post processing can improve this a lot.
6 - just doesn't work for me, both composition and post processing, I think.
8 - could be so good. I think too much space is wasted in the foreground.
9 - could be so good too. Location is great, but the composition isn't very appealing.
Hope this helps.
Ok, here are my humble opinions....
1 - needs to be sharp. Panning shots just need to be sharp. You could start trying from faster shutter speed then gradually go slower + slower. (1/25s is very challenging even for experienced photographers)
3 - there are far too many things in the shots, taking away all the impact from the subject.
4 - has so much potential as the location is brilliant. I'd probably go lower and reduce the foreground a bit.
5 - is probably my favourite. Perfect background and composition. Perhaps the angle of the car could be better, and some post processing can improve this a lot.
6 - just doesn't work for me, both composition and post processing, I think.
8 - could be so good. I think too much space is wasted in the foreground.
9 - could be so good too. Location is great, but the composition isn't very appealing.
Hope this helps.
Gemm said:
They are great for first attempt. Keep at it.
Ok, here are my humble opinions....
1 - needs to be sharp. Panning shots just need to be sharp. You could start trying from faster shutter speed then gradually go slower + slower. (1/25s is very challenging even for experienced photographers)
3 - there are far too many things in the shots, taking away all the impact from the subject.
4 - has so much potential as the location is brilliant. I'd probably go lower and reduce the foreground a bit.
5 - is probably my favourite. Perfect background and composition. Perhaps the angle of the car could be better, and some post processing can improve this a lot.
6 - just doesn't work for me, both composition and post processing, I think.
8 - could be so good. I think too much space is wasted in the foreground.
9 - could be so good too. Location is great, but the composition isn't very appealing.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Gemm - very useful. I've fixed the pic which isn't working now so would love your opinion on that too. How did you know the first pic was on 1/25? Agreed it was too fast though, what should I go for, and what speed should the car be driven? In terms of pp, what would you do on number 5? Have to agree with the criticisms though, I just needed someone to point them out to me!Ok, here are my humble opinions....
1 - needs to be sharp. Panning shots just need to be sharp. You could start trying from faster shutter speed then gradually go slower + slower. (1/25s is very challenging even for experienced photographers)
3 - there are far too many things in the shots, taking away all the impact from the subject.
4 - has so much potential as the location is brilliant. I'd probably go lower and reduce the foreground a bit.
5 - is probably my favourite. Perfect background and composition. Perhaps the angle of the car could be better, and some post processing can improve this a lot.
6 - just doesn't work for me, both composition and post processing, I think.
8 - could be so good. I think too much space is wasted in the foreground.
9 - could be so good too. Location is great, but the composition isn't very appealing.
Hope this helps.
Have to agree with 7. as the best shot. Nice contrast of shine on the car and a good tight crop. The rest are ok shots just need to be a bit tighter cropped as its a little difficult to decide what is the main subject matter. I always think silver cars are hardest to shoot as they don't "pop" like a red or blue say. Probably why I like 7 as its a contast of silvers and shandows and makes the best of your subjet. Nice work though fella.
Synchromesh said:
Thanks Gemm - very useful. I've fixed the pic which isn't working now so would love your opinion on that too. How did you know the first pic was on 1/25? Agreed it was too fast though, what should I go for, and what speed should the car be driven? In terms of pp, what would you do on number 5? Have to agree with the criticisms though, I just needed someone to point them out to me!
I read 1/25s from the EXIF. It's difficult to say which shutter speed to go for as it obviously depends on the speed of the car, also the distance between the car and the camera, focal length, etc . For example, 1/200s can give a great blur for racing cars. The faster the shutter speed, the more keepers. The slower the shutter speed, the less keepers but the keepers would have a great blur. I'm not sure what exactly I'd do in post processing for 5, but it just looks just a bit bland as it is. I may darken or lighten some areas or play with colours. I'm sure others will come up with some ideas.
Not bad...the middle one is the best of the 3.
I don't like the way the car is lit in the first one, it's patchy and uneven. Find a way of lighting the car evenly so that the car stands out a bit more, or take multiple shots and merge them together in PP.
They are all taken from head height which is how everyone sees these cars everyday - try and get low or high and find some interesting angles.
Try and add some depth to your images by having a trailing road in the background, or something in the foreground. Also, the backgrounds you choose tend to be quite distracting.
I don't like the way the car is lit in the first one, it's patchy and uneven. Find a way of lighting the car evenly so that the car stands out a bit more, or take multiple shots and merge them together in PP.
They are all taken from head height which is how everyone sees these cars everyday - try and get low or high and find some interesting angles.
Try and add some depth to your images by having a trailing road in the background, or something in the foreground. Also, the backgrounds you choose tend to be quite distracting.
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