Automotive photography techniques?
 

As somewhat of a newbie to WPF and to the world of DSLR photography, I thought I would throw myself into the lions den and ask for the opinions and suggestions of the WPF group.

Most of my time is spent on Autmotive photography and motorsport photography. When using my past camera, the motorsport photography came out well, barring the obvious lack in quality and clarity provided by Fuji, but I was almost always pleased with the way the shots looked as a whole.

The same can be said with my automotive stuff, static car shots etc

I was almost always pleased with them as a whole, but now I have a camera in an entirely different league to the Fuji and feel like its time that my technique matured to create an altogether more artist and professional feel.

If there are any (and theres bound to be some, surely?) automotive photography experts onboard, I would love your advice and suggestions on technique when it comes to shooting exotic vehicles?

I love the type of shots used in Top Gear magazine, but dont know whether to splash out on Grad filters etc (after the appropriate lens is purchased ofcourse)

Any advice would be greatfully received

Here are a couple samples of my previous camera results

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF4494.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF4486.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCF4465.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...CF6406copy.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...CF5699copy.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...CF5667copy.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...CF5652copy.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/DSCF4610.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/DSCF4570.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/DSCF4551.jpg


10D shots (albeit with a 70-300mm lens :eek: )
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...7629copy-1.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...7648copy-1.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...7635copy-1.jpg

Edited to comply with 4 photo rule!

Hi Scott. I like the angles you're getting - make more interesting images.The bold colours and repetative shapes also add very well to the images. I think that you should watch out for distracting/cluttered backgrounds - try slightly different angles or use Photoshop. Some USM will help the pics stand out a bit more.

Hi Mike

I try to get a good low down shot at different angles too (Im actually buying clothes especially for the occasion...save me ruining everything!)

Im a relative noob to all this so forgive my ignorance, but what is a USM??


A friend once told me that a smart man asks questions where the stupid nod in ignorance ;)

USM is Un-Sharp Mask. A tool you'll find in Photoshop under Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask. I'd be carefull with it though, it's very easy to overdo this filter and make things look rather false.

Of the four you've posted above, I like the first one the best for the angle of the lighting and the general composition. As Mike has implied, it is spoiled a bit by the clutter in the background. Having gone to a car show last week, I can sympathise with the difficulty of avoiding this nuisance though. The second one has a nice composition with everything in the picture being in context, but the angle of the light isn't so pleasing. All I can suggest is take a good look around as soon as you get to the show, figure out where the sun is now, and where it's going to be later. Take account of this and plan which pictures you are going to take at different times.

Try and pick angles/crops that reduce the impact of background clutter. If you can't get the full car in without a load of other stuff making the picture too busy, then try and do tight details of particular features of a car.

I like the idea of the third pic, with both "ends" showing, again, the trees detract. Can't really suggest how you could have worked around this, and still got the fore and aft picture.

Hope this helps,

Duncan

So you like this one, but the general crap in the car park bgnd needs to go

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...7629copy-1.jpg


I might actually organise to go up and hit it with the strimmer hahahaha


So whats the USM supposed to do because it seems to be making very little difference to shot number one when I run it through CS2

Hi Scot.

USM will give the images a sharper look, i.e crispen up the outline, just be careful you don't over do it as Duncan said. Move the slider (amount depends on subject and image type, RAW files need more as they have no in-camera sharpening) when you see the image edges start to produce halos, you've gone to far!!!

One way to deal with cluttered backgrounds is open up your aperture, something around f4 in these shots on your tele should make the background blur and not distract the eye. Just take a few shots from the same point and bracket your DOF. Close crop and detail is also a good idea, but not alway possible to keep the ratios. I've attached the image again with the background blurred via CS2, it's not the best way but will give you an idea............

By the way, welcome aboard !!!!!!

Jason

Howdo Jason

I see what you guys mean now with the USM!

Im going to have a wee play with that a bit later :)