How to photograph your car

[LFairbanks]

Found this article to be interesting and thought that I would share with you nuts that enjoy photographing your vehicles.

[Mongosg8]

I learned different ways to photograph autos etc in photography class. 

 

Funny I recognize all the things the article listed.  Good post Chris! 

[Gen9Rolla]

All good advice, thanks for the post

[FrozenWS6]

That's a great article.

Another good point I didn't see there. To turn the front tires so you can see the rim not the front tread of the tire.

Like this.

 

Notice the second pic doesn't look as good not seeing the rim.

Edited July 18, 2015 by FrozenWS6

[TheWolf]

Good article Chris!

 

The circular polarizer may not be as critical as the article states, since us shine freaks like to see all the reflections in the paint!

 

Another tip is lighting.  Full sunlight is harsh, and the photos often look washed out.  If possible, try for an overcast day, which helps soften the sunlight.  Also, the early morning or evening make for good lighting.  Photographers refer to the "Golden Hour" which is the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset.  Having the sun low on the horizon gives warmer, less harsh light.

 

Here are two photos taken on the same day in March, same DSLR and lens, on a tripod.  It was overcast, so the sunlight was not harsh.  This first one was taken mid afternoon, and the color temp is cooler.  The second one was taken in the evening, as the sun was setting.

 

 

[FrozenWS6]

Good point Wolf. The golden hour is important. That means not taking pics mid day. For us up here it's very hard to get that golden hour in the summer since we have bright daylight until 11pm -midnight.

 

I like how the sun shinning through the forest fire smoke was making my TBSS have a golden hue. Again the pic is ruined by the tires turned the wrong way.

 

Edited July 18, 2015 by FrozenWS6

[LFairbanks]

Here is another article with some of the above mentioned comments, like time of day.

[mc2hill]

Good points everyone.

 

 

That's a great article.
Another good point I didn't see there. To turn the front tires so you can see the rim not the front tread of the tire.
Like this.



Notice the second pic doesn't look as good not seeing the rim.

 

Very nice 'do this, not that pictures'.  I thought those were missing from the article.  I was never sure if the pictures were "do's" or "don'ts".

[FrozenWS6]

Exactly. I've ready a couple of photography books and that was the hard part for me too. Not very good do or don't do pics.

[FrozenWS6]

Here is an example of too much sun. This is at 6pm. Notice how washed out the car looks and it's not centered in the pic.

 

 

Verses this pic. With the lighting following the body lines. The main thing wrong with this pic is the edge of the road cutting the car in half.

 

Edited July 19, 2015 by FrozenWS6

[BoCRon]

I just take a trip up to The Dragon and let Killboy get a great shot of my car. Bonus all around .

 

Annette

[DemoN]

bad picture taking is a pet peeve of mine...so much so that i have a small facebook page dedicated to people that take terrible pictures of their rides lol

 

where you can see fine artistic work like this:

Edited July 20, 2015 by DemoN

[landshark]

I too disagree on the polarizer.  At least it's not a must have tool that you use every time shooting a car.  I started out as a landscape photographer, so I'm sensitive with the "right" light.  And it helps to translate on car photo too.  As other had mentioned, shoot near sunset, not have to be golden hour (the hour before sunset) or the blue hour (the hour after sunset), but the closer to the sunset time, the better in general.  

 

And I generally like to photograph with the sunlight directly hits the car.  Like I'm in between the car & the sun.  In most case, it will give the best look of the paint/color of the car.  Of course given the paint is in good shape to start with.  You don't want to show all the swirl marks with the sunlight hitting it!  But pay attention of your own shadow tho!  You don't want to included that in the shots.  Also pay attention of the reflection on the car.  Like how the clouds show on the hood, it make a good show case photos too.

 

Here's a few example that I did after I finished detailing the client's ride.  I work in my home garage, so I don't have a good background in my neighborhood for a clean background shots.  But I'm not out shooting dedicated photoshoot neither.  Just to show case my detailing work.

 

If you've notice, most of my shots have the sunlight directly onto the car to better show off the color and to give the car a warm glow.  And yes, don't forget you don't have to shoot the whole car, sometimes some close up detailed shots work even better too.  

 

p.s. sorry if I uploaded too many photos.  

Edited August 13, 2015 by landshark

[TheWolf]

Amazing photos, Gary! That last one is my favorite.

[FrozenWS6]

Awesome pics Landshark. The only delema for me is the sun doesn't set up here in the summer.

I'm still working on getting to that level of pics.

Edited July 21, 2015 by FrozenWS6

[HFX Detailing]

I have been thinking about getting a DSLR for taking pictures. I have 2 digital cameras, one which I use while washing since it is waterproof, but it takes only okay pictures. Another, I use for all the dry photos and it is pretty good but nothing like a DSLR. 

[landshark]

Actually I'm just using the iPhone for most in progress shots or some quick shots for posting on FB/Instagram like before & after.  I only break out my camera when I want some quick "promote" shots.  Also, don't over spend on a DSLR camera.  Most entry level DSLR would be fine.  I sold all my Nikon gears and is using the little Fuji X-E1 currently.

 

Most current smart phone could take fairly decent photos IMO.  And it's super easy simple to take a shot, process it, stitch (if wanted), and sharing.  I could recommended some apps if you guys wanted. 

 

Again, pay attention to the reflection.  Capturing those and it'll make a very strong photos especially for detailing show off IMO.

 

Here's some sample photos that was all taken by the iPhone, and none of them are processed.  Just straight out of the phone.

Edited July 21, 2015 by landshark

[Team Adam's]

Great thread. Nothing worse than a cool car photographed after a detail, but the pics crop the car off or are just poorly composed.

[FrozenWS6]

I'll do that too. Use my iPhone for quick pics to post up.

I'm using a DSLR and so its easy for me to take 20 pics just trying different settings and still think it wasn't very good.

I have a app on my phone that should help with the settings some. Just haven't had time to try it out.

[wely324]

When I have the time I love shooting my car with my Nikon after a wash or even my racebike. I will have to say my iphone 6 takes amazing photos too, and it is always with me. Getting good car pics imo is all about the lighting and shooting from the right angle, not the camera. A great way to learn with a digital camera is trial and error and see what looks good...

 

 

 

iphone pic : 

[DaveVY]

I agree with the comments about not needing a DSLR. Using a DSLR will not produce noticeably better photos than a camera phone or a "point and shoot" pocket camera...unless you dedicate the time to study and learn how to use the DSLR. 

 

We have a DSLR and I love using it, but I also still use the iPhone for many pics since it is always with me (vs the DSLR which I don't take with me everywhere I go).

 

This pic was taken with an iPhone in the morning hours. As I was walking into work I noticed the lighting and snapped this.

[landshark]

When I have the time I love shooting my car with my Nikon after a wash or even my racebike. I will have to say my iphone 6 takes amazing photos too, and it is always with me. Getting good car pics imo is all about the lighting and shooting from the right angle, not the camera. A great way to learn with a digital camera is trial and error and see what looks good...

 

 

 

 

Love this shot!