C3 photo pose
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 304
From: Charlotte Area North Carolina
First off, find a spot where the background will be uncluttered. That way your car will be the primary point of interest in the shot. Also, this lessens the chances that you'll end up with a shot that looks like something is growing out of your hood, windshield, etc.
Try to find a spot where the sun will be at your back, not behind the car. This will help light the car, and improve your chances of getting a well lit and properly exposed image. Just watch that you don't get your shadow in the image. Using a flash is a good idea too. Fill flash will lighten dark or shadowed areas and help keep the colors truer.
If possible, bring a ladder with you. This way you can get some height, which will show all of the car, front to back, unlike a ground level shot. Also, by using a ladder, your less likely to end up with background clutter.
If you have an SLR camera, use a short telephoto lens (about 75mm). A telephoto won't distort the dimensions of the car. Another neat trick if you have an SLR, is to get some different filters. One of my favorites is a cross screen filter. The filter has a series of criss crossing lines in it. When using it, any high lighted area (such as sun on a piece of chrome) will have a bright star like effect, in your final shot.
If your looking to get some great interior shots, use the widest angle lens you have. A wide angle will distort the interior, but because of the nature of interiors (many various shapes), the distortion won't be noticeable, and you will get more of the interior into the shot.
If your camera will allow you to turn off the auto focus, find a spot where you can shot through an opening in some tree branches or bushes. This will frame the car and ad some depth and interest to your shot. It's a little more difficult if you can't over ride the auto focus, as the auto focus wants to focus on the trees in the fore ground and blur the image of your car in the distance.
You may want to consider shooting some pics early in the morning, or late in the afternoon. Sunrises and sunsets offer the opportunity for some interesting lighting effects.
Try to find a spot where the sun will be at your back, not behind the car. This will help light the car, and improve your chances of getting a well lit and properly exposed image. Just watch that you don't get your shadow in the image. Using a flash is a good idea too. Fill flash will lighten dark or shadowed areas and help keep the colors truer.
If possible, bring a ladder with you. This way you can get some height, which will show all of the car, front to back, unlike a ground level shot. Also, by using a ladder, your less likely to end up with background clutter.
If you have an SLR camera, use a short telephoto lens (about 75mm). A telephoto won't distort the dimensions of the car. Another neat trick if you have an SLR, is to get some different filters. One of my favorites is a cross screen filter. The filter has a series of criss crossing lines in it. When using it, any high lighted area (such as sun on a piece of chrome) will have a bright star like effect, in your final shot.
If your looking to get some great interior shots, use the widest angle lens you have. A wide angle will distort the interior, but because of the nature of interiors (many various shapes), the distortion won't be noticeable, and you will get more of the interior into the shot.
If your camera will allow you to turn off the auto focus, find a spot where you can shot through an opening in some tree branches or bushes. This will frame the car and ad some depth and interest to your shot. It's a little more difficult if you can't over ride the auto focus, as the auto focus wants to focus on the trees in the fore ground and blur the image of your car in the distance.
You may want to consider shooting some pics early in the morning, or late in the afternoon. Sunrises and sunsets offer the opportunity for some interesting lighting effects.
Kevin
Early Morning
Defused Light, no direct sunlight
Would also add, pay attention to what is in the background and shoot-shoot-shoot. Digital photography allows for editing later on when you are the computer and can pick and choose. Sometimes you get a "winner" by complete accident.... sample
accidental photo - was in a hurry and did not have the camera level
Last edited by KS69Coupe; Nov 6, 2011 at 09:48 AM. Reason: more information
