2011 BMW M3 ... 3 for CC

[Geaux]

My friend just took delivery of his new M3 this week and wanted some shots of his car. This was my first first time shooting a vehicle, any thoughts on composition or exposures? I couldn't do much to battle the reflections, I don't have a CP filter for my Sigma yet. This was also a first for using my OCF 'abilities' outside and balancing ambient and flash. Any strobist have thoughts on how the shots came out or what I could do better?

1. Sigma 10-20

2. Sigma 10-20

3. 35mm prime

Once the sky went dark, I was having trouble with balancing the ambient. How do you strobist balance it? I found my shutter needed to be open too long for the flash to actually have an impact. Should it be rear curtain flash when I have to keep the shutter open that long?

 

[photocist]

Shutter speed has little effect on flash.

If you arnt getting enough light, open up that aperture or power that flash up some more

 

[Drake]

I am no strobist so I won't help you with your problem. Just wanted to say these are fabulous. They look perfect to me.

 

[Geaux]

Shutter speed has little effect on flash.

If you arnt getting enough light, open up that aperture or power that flash up some more

Yeah, I realize the shutter doesn't affect the flash, but if I'm having a 15 second shutter to get the ambient background lighting right the light from the flash being fired in the beginning fades out. Some shots I was manually flashing the strobe a few times during the long shutter.


Appreciate the comments

 

[photocist]

Ah I see what you are saying. My suggestion would be to fire the flash towards the end of the exposure

 

[Geaux]

mid-morning bump, since I posted this thread late last night.

 

[ghache]

Nice shots.

 

[Geaux]

I rarely do this ... the "epic double bump", BUT I was sort of satisfied with the way these came out (for being the first time) and got only 3 different peoples responses lol.


anyone? anything? lol.

 

[analog.universe]

These are cool! especially #3. For the wide angle shots i would've gotten a little closer to the car? or cropped? I do like the exposure.

Generally if i'm trying to balance ambient, I'll set up the aperture/shutter to underexpose the ambient by 1-2 stops, and then dial up the flash power/distance to subject until the exposure is correct. if you run out of flash power start going for wider aperture and adjust the shutter accordingly...

 

[lyonsroar]

1. Did you take the car down below in the garage? Or just above? I would have taken the car below the deck and shot in the lower levels where things look a bit grungy-er, but that's just me. The location as is, is kinda :meh:. Look for alley's and the like.

2. HDR and cars goes together like peas and carrots.

3. Tell you the truth, I don't really find anything fantastic about them. Kinda boring, lacking pop.

 

[robb01]

im jelly

 

[Robin Usagani]

doesnt matter when the flash fires man. Personally I would do a long shutter in the dark, set your flash to the lowest power setting and put it on your hand and start firing manually with your finger around the car without you being in the frame. Nice car!

 

[choudhrysaab]

M3

Damn these cars are so freaking sexy :blushing:

 

[Ginu]

I like the shots although they are a little boring.

I think you should try HDR and see the result.

 

[Geaux]

These are cool! especially #3. For the wide angle shots i would've gotten a little closer to the car? or cropped? I do like the exposure.

Generally if i'm trying to balance ambient, I'll set up the aperture/shutter to underexpose the ambient by 1-2 stops, and then dial up the flash power/distance to subject until the exposure is correct. if you run out of flash power start going for wider aperture and adjust the shutter accordingly...

Thanks for the tips on balancing ambient, that's my biggest struggle right now with learning. I think I underexposed by 1 stop on most of my flash shots b/c of some other article I read on doing it haha.

1. Did you take the car down below in the garage? Or just above? I would have taken the car below the deck and shot in the lower levels where things look a bit grungy-er, but that's just me. The location as is, is kinda :meh:. Look for alley's and the like.

2. HDR and cars goes together like peas and carrots.

3. Tell you the truth, I don't really find anything fantastic about them. Kinda boring, lacking pop.

1. It was in my plans, but his wife was calling like crazy and he was ready to roll out as to not piss her off lol. I told him he needs to do whatever to keep her happy, a wife that OK's an M3 purchase needs to be pampered haha.

2. I've seen HDR's with white cars and it's the worst color to do a true HDR shot on, it turns the car a grayish tone.

3. Thanks for your opinion , I'm trying to get that POP with the flash, but I think I'll need to step my 1 flash set up to at least a 2 setup.