Car Photography 101

[BP_Z28]

sounds good.

[tenpin842]

sounds good..............or looks good?!

[phoenix_rising]

Here is an example of a photo of a car taken at mid day with a strong vertical light source...

These are not my photos:




Notice the strong reflection and glare distracting the eye of the viewer. You may be able to reduce this by changing angle to a more horizontal position.

Now here is a photo of a similiar car taken in the evening when the sun is at a more horizontal angle and with your back to the sun and facing the sun...




Even using a basic camera and simple backgrounds you can drastically improve your photos just by paying attention to the sun and keeping in mind these tricks.

These are some of my photos from CSF '07 demonstrating the value of using different angles at noon time:

Overexposed by noontime sun, notice the grass is barely visible and not the correct coloring. Even the car seems off.



Here is a shot of another car demonstrating showing a different angle. These cars were parked only a few feet from one another yet by switching angles the photo is greatly enhanced.

[meissen]

And here's some pictures at 7pm in the evening, when the sun has faded and it's dusk out.

[meissen]

And this picture, 100% unedited. This is exactly as it came out. This was at dusk and in the shadow... absolutely one of my favorite pictures of my car, and not just because of Erika. The main reason I love this picture is the coloring of my car and how deep and rich the paint looks.

[JoeliusZ28]

I agree brian, your car looks very good there!

And i remember it was looking good in person too because i was there that day

[BP_Z28]

good examples.

[phoenix_rising]

[quote=zmanrc;265901]VERY GOOD INFO!

quote]

That second shot is stunning. I also noticed by the shadows that you were shooting around noon. Were you using a polarizer lens and if so what brand and settings. I know circ. polarizers can be adjusted. Would you recommend this lens for a Nikon D50 user? Also were you using a wide angle lens or is that just the camera? Would you have a suggestion for a good wide angle for me?

[phoenix_rising]

I would also like to add this. I thought this was fairly impressive...

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=417604

http://www.mattwatkinson.com/tutorial/

[BP_Z28]

posted some of that too haha... I will get around to putting the correct pictures under the post..make this topic even better

[BP_Z28]

ok folks .. I managed to put up alot of the pics with the tips.. Still have couple more to add still so be patient

[BP_Z28]

So anyone get out and practice or get any good shots yet?

[MP81]

No.

It's nice out, I'm tempted, but the car's dirty...I did a small burnout today, waiting for a light, though - so it makes up for it.

[BP_Z28]

cant wait till I wash mine aaha

[phoenix_rising]

You had better believe once that I the moment my car sees sunlight again I will have like 800 shots in tow! I am liking my color choices more and more as time goes on. In the shade of the shop it looks almost purple-ish pink in areas and in others a deep candy apple. But in the sun it is much brighter similiar to the color on Ford Fusions this year.