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 How To Take 'good' Photos Of Your Car - If You Really Care That Is.  

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Shaky Bones
  • Shaky Bones
  • Boostcruisings JDM Parts Specialist
  • Member No.: 15,075
  • Joined: 5-November 04
  • Posts: 3,903
  • From: Around The World
Post #1 post 8th August 2005 - 01:31 AM
Hey all, I was just reading the September 04 Issue of 'Speed' Magazine and it had a really good article on how to take professional looking photos of your pride and joy with out the need of a pro. photographer or expensive equipment. First of all I’d like reference all material below as from that issue.

Top 8 DON'T - As Advised By 'Speed' Magazine angry.gif
-Don't shoot your car on grass or sand (You wouldn't believe how many times this came up over the article) leave it for the cows. head_wall.gif
- Don't allow telegraph poles or trees to be in the background as it will look like they are sticking out of your cars roof.
- Don't leave windows half open.
- Don't shoot dark cars in the middle of the day.
- Don't have shadows cast under or over the car.
- Don't forget to wash your car, dirt really shows up in pictures.
- Don't just take one shot.

I know most of them a gimmies but you'd be surprised how many cars I see on here not following the most obvious ones.

Top 8 DOS - As Advised By 'Speed' Magazine biggrin.gif
- Do shoot your car on concrete or asphalt; it looks natural
- Do shoot dark cars in soft ambient late-afternoon light. (Sunset always looks awesome)
- Do examine the paint all the paintwork for clean, simple reflections
- Do point the wheels AWAY from the camera (so everyone can see your wicked expensive rims)
- Do keep the background clean and simple (remember it’s about your ride not the scenery)
- Do try to find a low angle that will make your car look phat.
- Do detail everything, such as windows, tires and inner guards.
- Do experiment and practice.

Other photo tips from professional photographers such as Mark Bean, Guy Bowden, Cristian Brunnelli or Tony Rabbitte. thumbsup.gif

- Shoot dark cars at sunset or sunrise, shoot bright cars in sunshine. Pearl, candy and metallic need sun and lots of it.
- Again NO grass, sand or trees growing out of the roof. head_wall.gif
- Gaffer tape is a useful waxing tool on carpet if a vacuum cleaner is not at the ready.
- Black the tires, black the tires, black the tires.
- Check the off-camera objects and make sure your mates yellow R32 isn't reflecting in your beautiful paintwork. Ensure your shots are clean. Top photographers use the reflection of the landscape horizon to emphasize body lines.
- Hit the deck cars look great from a low angle, giving that mean outta-my-way stance. Beware of ants.
- Do try taking shots of your car on the move action shots always look great.
- Again make sure your car is immaculately clean with all those little extras not forgotten.
- When taking interior shots park the whole car in a shaded area.
- Study your subject first. Walk around the car and view it at different view points, to see which angle looks best.
- Don't be afraid to move your car around, this will make your collection more diverse.

Well that is about it without again going over some of the more obvious tips. I’d like to hear of some more tips from the many great photographers that frequent this site. What do you all think? laugh.gif

This post has been edited by Shaky Bones: Aug 9 2005, 05:05 AM

--------------------
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Sir Holden
Post #2

Some great points there... seen it before, on here I think? But definitely worth re-posting.

zillaswrx
Post #3

but i like the pic of my car on grass unsure.gif

RA-28
Post #4

I guess the same rules could be applied to filming/photographing pornography... might just have to test that theory! facesjump.gif

Shaky Bones
Post #5

Lol Zilla yeah your pic is pretty good. I spose there are exceptions to the rule.

Here is an example of what I learned before and after I read the article.


Before/Bad.............................After/Good

zillaswrx
Post #6

hrmm.. nice wing and front end *YOINK*
deffiniately looks hot in the 2nd pic thumbsup.gif

neil_se
Post #7

Here's the auto photography article from Loz on NS.



The three worst mistakes a beginner makes when photographing their car

1: Bright overhead sunlight. Not good. Harsh sunlight (and worse, the harsh shadows caused by the sunlight) ruins more vehicle photos than anything else. Solution: wait until near sunset, or wait for an overcast day, and position (i.e., rotate) your car to take full advantage of any softer light.

2: Taking the photo too far away. Not good. Solution: get up close and "fill the frame" with automobile. Your objective is to photograph the car, not the background.

3: Stand up and "shoot down" on your car. Not good, and for several reasons. Solution: it's covered in detail below.

If you'd like all of the following guidelines in condensed form:

* Clean your car and tyres thoroughly; give your tyres a rubdown with rubber coat.
* Schedule your photo session very early or very late (just after dawn or just before dusk).
* Park your car on (clean, unstriped) pavement. DO NOT photograph it parked on grass, or if you want it to look like an abandoned vehicle.
* Carefully position/rotate your car so that you've got evenly-distributed sunlight over ALL the surfaces of your car facing your camera (the grille, the "chin," the tires, the sides). The sun should be directly behind you, warming your backside and illuminating ALL of the surfaces of your car facing the camera; once again, just to make sure you've got it: with the (very early or very late) sun at your back, shoot the SUNLIT side(s) of your car, not, repeat NOT the shadow side(s). If you're shooting, a typical "3/4-view" shot, then not only the side of the car, but the grille, the "chin" and the tyre tread should be illuminated by the sun. Are we clear on that? Color photography is about LIGHT, NOT SHADOW. And if you're going to shoot different views of your car (rear, head-on/front, etc.), then STAY WHERE YOU ARE WITH THE SUN AT YOUR BACK and have a colleague "rotate" your car into the next desired position. Contrary to some peoples expectations, you cannot "walk around the car shooting photos" and expect the sun to follow you accordingly.

Think of it this way: your camera MUST be aimed in the direction of your (dawn or dusk) shadow. You could mount your camera onto a tripod facing in the direction of the tripod's shadow, epoxy your tripod and the camera into fixed position, then shoot all of your views of your car by doing nothing but "rotating" your car. And you'd have ideal lighting every time.
* Crouch down and shoot at headlight level. Take some shots with your headlights or parking lights ON. The doors and decks should be closed; if you're shooting for an ad, don't include models (i.e., people) in your photos.
* Use a "normal" focal-length lens, or set your zoom lens accordingly (avoid wide-angle and telephoto settings).
* Make sure you're close enough to your car to "fill the frame" with automobile, NOT real estate.
* Beware of ugly shadows and reflections on the paint surfaces (especially, avoid the chaotic shadows of shade trees!)
* Use your flash for ALL engine and cockpit shots. Steering wheel straight, tilt column down, in horizontal position. Spotlessly clean carpet and upholstery. Wide-angle lens okay for these shots.

Tips for mid-day/harsh sunlight photography:
1: use your flash
2: use a polarizer filter

If for some reason you MUST shoot in bright sunlight (at an outdoor show for example), use your flash to "force-fill" light into those dark shadows caused by harsh sunlight.

Any good 35mm or digital camera will permit you to "force" your flash to work in bright sunlight.

Professional photographers routinely use "fill flash" for their daytime shots, although I couldn't count the times someone at a race or carshow has asked me "Why are you using that big flash unit with all this bright sunshine?" The brighter the overhead sunlight, the more you need to employ "fill flash."

You're unlikely to get good photographs in midday sunlight without a good strobe flash attachment. That flash unit will serve to both lighten the shadows and reduce the intensity of the brightness in the glare areas.

Make sure that the backdrop is neat and appropriate. A fashionable restaurant or hotel or fountain or a '50s-styled drive-in restaurant or even a beach or dock scene can make an ideal backdrop. Make sure there is no signpost or tree "growing out of" the top of your car or a car park line jutting from a tyre.

Keep your car on clean, unlined/uncracked pavement and off the grass; a car photographed on grass or tree leaves tends to look like an abandoned vehicle. Above all, remember that it's your car that's the primary focal point of your photograph, not the background or the live models.

Take your photos from different angles and different camera heights, from ± headlight level. Amateurs tend to "stand up and shoot down" on their car. Not good. The most dramatic, even menacing, sportscar shots are low-angle and (relatively) close-up. Position yourself for 3/4 view, 3-dimensional shots that capture part of the front and more of the side. If you intend your photos to be used on the Internet, also shoot a few "broadside" shots; a broadside shot (with the decks and doors closed) enables you to display your car on the Internet at a larger physical size while the filesize remains relatively small, which means a bigger image/faster download for each person viewing your car. If you really want to get serious, mount your camera onto a tripod (adjusted down low) so that you can critically examine and adjust the composition of each shot.

Engine & cockpit shots

Use your flash. Repeat: use your flash. For cockpit shots, make sure the upholstery and carpet is vacuumed to spotless. Straighten the steering wheel; if it's a tilt wheel, tilt it down to driving position. Use your wide-angle lens for engine and cockpit shots.
Sir Holden
Post #8

QUOTE(Shaky Bones @ Aug 8 2005, 08:22 PM)
Lol Zilla yeah your pic is pretty good. I spose there are exceptions to the rule.

Here is an example of what I learned before and after I read the article.
I'm sure you can tell the before and after.
[right][snapback]5276372[/snapback][/right]

Ahh, I'm guessing the one taken from the front of the car is the 'after' shot, but TBH, I prefer the other one... unsure.gif

NINJA
Post #9

QUOTE(zillaswrx @ Aug 8 2005, 08:05 PM)
but i like the pic of my car on grass  unsure.gif
[right][snapback]5276329[/snapback][/right]


Same with me unsure.gif

Shaky Bones
Post #10

Oh Unit bro seriously that pic is what the article was on all about. your car really does have the abandonded look. Your fence give a illusion of a mowhawk growing out of the top and everything. There is a big difference between Zillas photo and yours. You should take some of the advice and take your car to a clear area latter on in the day and take some great shots of your beast.

neil_se
Post #11

QUOTE(UNIT @ Aug 8 2005, 08:37 PM)
Same with me  unsure.gif


You're joking right? That's quite possibly one of the worst car pics i've ever seen someone post. I think it breaks ever single rule listed above.

Sir Holden
Post #12

LOL, gonna have to agree there... I thought the same thing, but didn't want to be the first to say it unsure.gif

NINJA
Post #13

I know its not the best pic, its far from it... fences rabbit cages etc... but i like the look of a nice car sitting on lush green grass with nothing in the background...

NINJA
Post #14


This is a pick of my old VJ Charger sitting on grass i dont think its to bad... if the grass is nice n green it looks alright, but its dead and brown thats when it looks shitty

racsov500
Post #15

A few months ago I thought Id have a go at this.. With my old sigma (which is now in a better place.. actually in the same place, but now with several carby and cooling problems)

Its late afternoon in this I think, might be midday with overcast. dunno.

user posted image

RedruM
Post #16

Hey . does anybody what a good cam is. cos i wanna get into photography, but i need a cam to start out..

I hear the SLR is alright.. i think its a cannon...

anyone know any good courses?

DR1F7
Post #17

QUOTE(RedruM @ Aug 9 2005, 11:13 AM)
Hey . does anybody what a good cam is. cos i wanna get into photography, but i need a cam to start out..

I hear the SLR is alright.. i think its a cannon...

anyone know any good courses?
[right][snapback]5277001[/snapback][/right]


I use a Canon EOS 350D Digital SLR camera. It rocks, These are some pics I took on sunday down that the spit. 60RGS WRX

Hope you Like.

Lance

beemerbabe
Post #18

I guess everyone has there own opinions as to what looks good. As long as you are happy as to how the photo turned out, thats the main thing biggrin.gif

Manic 180
Post #19

user posted image

its day my cars dark, theres trees, theres shadow and its on the grass
i still think its a good pic.

i think it all comes down to technique
was a good read tho.

RedruM
Post #20

QUOTE(DR1F7 @ Aug 9 2005, 12:05 PM)
I use a Canon EOS 350D Digital SLR camera. It rocks, These are some pics I took on sunday down that the spit. 60RGS WRX

Hope you Like.

Lance
[right][snapback]5277069[/snapback][/right]




Nice. how much did that set ya back????

DR1F7
Post #21

QUOTE(RedruM @ Aug 9 2005, 01:04 PM)
Nice. how much did that set ya back????
[right][snapback]5277141[/snapback][/right]


$1900, with two lenses. Standard lense and 75-300mm lens.

$2100, includeing above + battery, and 1GB memory card

Lance

60RGS
Post #22

Sharkey Bonez - i miss your rexy.. *sheads a quiet tear*

come take some pics of mine!

Nah im happy with the pictures i got on the weekend!! w00t w00t

60RGS
Post #23

My car on the Grass and my car off the grass..

mmm i LOVE the last photo... tunes.gif

Shaky Bones
Post #24

happy.gif Thanks 60RGS, I miss her heaps too, I really miss the way she'd growl at me everymorning when I turned the key. But wait till to you see my new ride biggrin.gif , she isn't ready for posting just yet, but watch this space.

I think a few of you guys I think are missing the ponit of this topic. There is no doubt about it some of those shots that you guys have posted no doubt look good, and the rules that are posted above don't recessarly always apply. However they are based on the views of professionals who photos make it onto the pages of magazines. None of the photos that I have seen taken on the grass or at mid day look like magazine material. Sure they are great personal photos but they won't make you any money if you are a pro or make any magazine covers.

Anyway happy posting. laugh.gif

JuStDaVe
Post #25

i want to be as cool as u lance please teach me the art of photography please

user posted image

user posted image

user posted image

user posted image

Sir Holden
Post #26

LOL @ JuStDaVe.... he is teh master!!!

SkiDMaN
Post #27

i suck at teh photography

user posted image

JuStDaVe
Post #28

pete with a few lessons from this DR1F7 we can also be 1337 photo people bows down to lessons from lance

mrc25381
Post #29

Since reading all that info, I think I might have to touch up the brightness or something on my pics, but other than that, my pics look pretty good!

Plenty more where that came from, Yeah!

By using photo shop, you could possibly remove the background or add a different one but that would be cheating..

57ING
Post #30

...........and remember the golden rule.............
Dont put ugly girls around your car when its getting shots taken of it.

r32cruising
Post #31

Pics taken with cannon EOS rebel 300d. Original pics are a lot sharper than displayed.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE FULL SIZE SHOT.
Shaky Bones
Post #32

Damn Dave now they are some awesome shots... Shit I think I just creamed my pants. Take a good look people, that is what I'm talkin bout.

big929
Post #33

some good points there!

funnily enough though, i just got back from my Hot4's shoot..............it was on grass lol

user posted image
user posted image

GTS300
Post #34

Some of that info was good...... some of it was not so true..... Particularly the bit about grass....

user posted image

user posted image

user posted image

user posted image
Doesn't look too abandoned to me...... tongue.gif


One important thing that wasn't mentioned: DON'T EVER TAKE PHOTO'S OF CARS WITH THE CAMERA ON AN ANGLE! thumbsup.gif

Akshunhiro
Post #35

Of course it always helps if you have an awesome photographer (me) thumbsup.gif

Mate you should post your new ride, It will excite people more to know that it's not gonna stay stock tongue.gif (before and after shots)

Is it the same car? I dunno man, your freakin me out!!!

-

Those are some brilliant shots GTS300, what camera have you got??

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