Shooting Cars

El Picoso · July 4, 2010

Hi,

I recently went to a car show and took some shots. But I'm just not satisfied with the composition.

What is the best way to shoot cars, especially at a show where there is little to no control over the backgrounds and endless people?

Links to the photos are in my sig.

Thanks

Wade:dunno

CoryUT · July 4, 2010

Hi Wade,

I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but one thing I've found that really helps with shooting cars (if you don't already use one) is a circular polarizer. It gives you some control over reflections off of the shiny surfaces, which makes a big difference. I'm sure others will chime in with more input.

Welcome to DGrin!

pathfinder · July 4, 2010

Shoot close, very close, shoot wide aperture, shoot wide angle, pay attention to reflections.

A polarizing filter can help, but the light is usually pretty dim indoors before you add the polarizer, so....

If you can use a tripod, you can shoot a large series of images of precisely the same scene, stack them in PS, and extract only the pixels that do not change. Most cars shows I've been would use your tripod to beat you with, though...

El Picoso · July 4, 2010

pathfinder wrote: »

Shoot close, very close, shoot wide aperture, shoot wide angle, pay attention to reflections.

A polarizing filter can help, but the light is usually pretty dim indoors before you add the polarizer, so....

If you can use a tripod, you can shoot a large series of images of precisely the same scene, stack them in PS, and extract only the pixels that do not change. Most cars shows I've been would use your tripod to beat you with, though...

Thanks for the tips. This particular car show is all outside.

vintagemxr · July 4, 2010

There's a short discussion of shooting cars here.

Doug

Xmetal · July 5, 2010

It depends largely on the location of said car show - if it's indoors then a fast wide-angle lens should be enough to bag a good shot or 10.

Try to avoid using a flash.

Bayer-Z28 · July 6, 2010

Low angle works wonders with cars!

pathfinder · July 6, 2010

Bayer-Z28 wrote: »

Low angle works wonders with cars!

Absolutely.

That is why a P&S can do well too; you can put them right down on the ground and not have to peer through a viewfinder.. Live View is great for this too of course.

Seefutlung · July 6, 2010

man ... the last time I shot a car was '83 (I think) ... Beirut ... only problem I had was there the cars shot back ...

BeachBill · July 6, 2010

One of my car show secrets.... Get there early to get good shots without people.

For example, I arrive at least one hour prior to the official start time of the woodie car shows I photograph. The woodies are usually ready to go and/or you can get shots of them driving in.

Some of my work...
http://www.woodiegoodies.com/

And the rest...
http://www.billgerrard.com/bill-gerrard-automotive-photography/

Bayer-Z28 · July 6, 2010

pathfinder wrote: »

Absolutely.

That is why a P&S can do well too; you can put them right down on the ground and not have to peer through a viewfinder.. Live View is great for this too of course.

^ And yes, no live view can hurt at times..

Low angle Such as:

My buddy's car

My car.

El Picoso · July 7, 2010

Thanks for all the tips, Ill have plenty of chances to use them in the upcoming weeks.

Shooting Cars

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