General Automotive Discussion General automotive discussion and chat. Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford. It doesn't matter, just talk about it here.

Car Photography tips

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-07-2006
  #1  
Owned By Slo Rex
Thread Starter
 
Day_Tripper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas
Age: 37
Posts: 5,688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 315
Day_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questionedDay_Tripper should not be questioned
Car Photography tips

This is a article taken from Jtuned.com, an article that has helped me with some of the baisics in auto photogtaphy. This article can be applied to those with the least expensive camera to the high end DSLRS. and those asking for pics of my car will still have to wait a while.....I'm not done yet ;-)



Hi i have noticed alot on here that when people take pics of there car they seem to get alot of the background i aswell, the way i see it is that its about the car not the scenery. (in a way it is but its not)


So i thought i would post this up that i found in a mag.

Tips from professional photographers.

Top 8 DON'T - As Advised By 'Speed' Magazine
-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.
- 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
- 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.

- 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.
- 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?
Old 07-07-2006
  #2  
Registered!!
iTrader: (3)
 
rjngo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Age: 42
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 236
rjngo will become famous soon enoughrjngo will become famous soon enough
nice...thanks for grabbing it from jtuned and posting it here
Old 07-07-2006
  #3  
In love with Diana...te amo
 
boricua_civic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico!
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 284
boricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond repute
Niiiice !!
Old 07-07-2006
  #4  
Words on a User Title
 
ramcosca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Puerto Rico
Age: 37
Posts: 5,905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 310
ramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond repute
Some questions, if you're able to answer...
Gaffer tape is a useful waxing tool on carpet if a vacuum cleaner is not at the ready.
What's gaffer tape?
Shoot dark cars at sunset or sunrise, shoot bright cars in sunshine. Pearl, candy and metallic need sun and lots of it.
Where does Rallye Red fit in here? Sun needy?

Great find!
Old 07-07-2006
  #5  
In love with Diana...te amo
 
boricua_civic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico!
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 284
boricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond repute
I've taken pics of my rallye red in sunshine, the paint looks very very bright, almost orange, at sunset is a very dark red...
Old 07-07-2006
  #6  
Words on a User Title
 
ramcosca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Puerto Rico
Age: 37
Posts: 5,905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 310
ramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond repute
But the car is kinda light red... do we have to do it like in between?
Old 07-07-2006
  #7  
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (95)
 
gearbox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NV
Age: 43
Posts: 51,241
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
Rep Power: 787
gearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond reputegearbox has a reputation beyond repute
sorry, alot of those are just preference. i can show you a ton of examples that contradict everything that article said.
Old 07-07-2006
  #8  
I log in from time to time
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (31)
 
dirtySAMURAI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: VA
Age: 37
Posts: 15,682
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Rep Power: 410
dirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to beholddirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to beholddirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to beholddirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to beholddirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to beholddirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to beholddirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to beholddirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to beholddirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to beholddirtySAMURAI is a splendid one to behold
always go for a "theme" with your pictures. if the color of the car doesn't match from shot to shot, then you need to work on post processing the color to make it match.

expensive lenses do NOT make your shot. YOU make your shot.
Old 07-07-2006
  #9  
THE LONE STAR STATE
iTrader: (10)
 
texascivic2k1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Age: 41
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 272
texascivic2k1 is a glorious beacon of lighttexascivic2k1 is a glorious beacon of lighttexascivic2k1 is a glorious beacon of lighttexascivic2k1 is a glorious beacon of lighttexascivic2k1 is a glorious beacon of lighttexascivic2k1 is a glorious beacon of light
Those are very good tips on how to make the car look clean in a pic but yeah some of them are just preferences. The last photo shoot I took of my car turned out really nice with my darkcar in the sunshine. Also the sunset does look great also see...

Dark car in the sun...



Dark car in the sunset...

Old 07-07-2006
  #10  
Last time I had this much fun some furniture got broken!
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (1)
 
diskreet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: PA
Age: 38
Posts: 8,839
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Rep Power: 336
diskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to beholddiskreet is a splendid one to behold
One good tip is mess around with the camera itself.
Some shots look amazing with a Sepia filter. Some look great overexposed.
Dont be afraid of ISO and shudder settings!!!

Another thing that is so important is to make sure you see the picture before you take the picture. You really do need to walk around and find your shots before taking them.
Then take like 5-15 of that nice shot with different settings and make sure you get a few good ones before moving on.

Last edited by diskreet; 07-07-2006 at 05:03 PM.
Old 07-07-2006
  #11  
In love with Diana...te amo
 
boricua_civic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico!
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 284
boricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond repute
Nice pics, loving the vic
Old 07-07-2006
  #12  
Words on a User Title
 
ramcosca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Puerto Rico
Age: 37
Posts: 5,905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 310
ramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond reputeramcosca has a reputation beyond repute
Originally Posted by dirtySAMURAI
always go for a "theme" with your pictures. if the color of the car doesn't match from shot to shot, then you need to work on post processing the color to make it match.
I had never thought about this... great tip.
Originally Posted by dirtySAMURAI
expensive lenses do NOT make your shot. YOU make your shot.
Yeah. It is said that it's not the camera that makes the shot, it's the lens... but if you have an inexperienced person who simply doesn't want to take good shots and gain that experience needed... well... the photographer makes the shot, not the lens.
Old 07-07-2006
  #13  
iTrader: (9)
 
cubanmike26's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Miami
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 270
cubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of light
Originally Posted by ramcosca
I had never thought about this... great tip. Yeah. It is said that it's not the camera that makes the shot, it's the lens...
that's what Infinite meant Ramrosca; it's not the camera or the lens but the photographer..
Old 07-07-2006
  #14  
In love with Diana...te amo
 
boricua_civic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico!
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 284
boricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond reputeboricua_civic has a reputation beyond repute
^hahahaha , give him credit tho, for repeating it
Old 07-07-2006
  #15  
Registered!!
iTrader: (19)
 
pon55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: po-town,ny
Age: 78
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 290
pon55 is just really nicepon55 is just really nicepon55 is just really nicepon55 is just really nice
Originally Posted by texascivic2k1
Those are very good tips on how to make the car look clean in a pic but yeah some of them are just preferences. The last photo shoot I took of my car turned out really nice with my darkcar in the sunshine. Also the sunset does look great also see...

Dark car in the sun...

You can see the lose of detail around the grill area and below, thats what they mean!

Originally Posted by ramcosca
But the car is kinda light red... do we have to do it like in between?
Yes, you have 18 minutes between sun and sunset! hurry






RR looks good in any light

Last edited by pon55; 07-07-2006 at 07:32 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Old 07-08-2006
  #16  
iTrader: (9)
 
cubanmike26's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Miami
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 270
cubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of lightcubanmike26 is a glorious beacon of light
^^Yeah, that's why the best time for pics is sunrise or sunset; the lighting at that time of the day is perfect for pics..otherwise you'd have to use a polarizer filter to eliminate glare..
Old 07-08-2006
  #17  
Registered!!
 
Nyte's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rep Power: 220
Nyte will become famous soon enoughNyte will become famous soon enough
nice, i'll try this sometime.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gunner
Engine DIY
3
10-06-2012 12:37 PM



Quick Reply: Car Photography tips



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:25 AM.