Car Photography

[jakes#onedodgeangel07]

I need some help with photographing car/semi-truck/truck. I'm not sure where to beginning. I want to not only photograph people but learn to photograph vehicles as well.

What do the books mean by "lines" with a car?
What kinds of angles are appealing?

 

[Bo4key]

I am interested in this, too.

 

[ultimadrift]

Looking at car pictures would give you some insight...But I've noticed that using a ultra wide angle lens and taking the whole frame up with the car stands out quite a bit.

 

[christian.rudman]

particularly with lower cars (the ones that are more of a "racer" influenced design as opposed to say a suburban) getting down just above the front bumper and off the side gives the effect of a car moving towards the frame with the back end disappearing in the frame. but dont just use that, shoot as it suits you. dont be afraid to get low, go high, try panning shots to simulate the motion in a still image. and like with an offroad jeep, capitalize on the features of the vehicle, like making the jeep look like a monster with a real low shot showing the stance of the jeep.
(i believe this might be what you are referring to as "lines," but without more context i'm not sure, just look for the design of the vehicle yourself while shooting, you should be able to pick it out with your enhanced "photographer composition skills" )

movement is important in car photography, work on finding a way for you to reproduce the movement with your shooting style.

look at car groups on flickr, etc to get a decent idea of what other people are doing. good luck!

 

[KmH]

I'd say be careful looking on Flickr at what others are doing, because a lot of it is not very well done, and/or not very creative. Everyone just seems to be copying what everyone elses does.

IMO you would do better looking at the best of the car magazines and/or car shots done for the car makers advertising.

 

[Propsguy]

I agree 100% with KmH....

I find that interesting car photos stem from location, location, location.... Find fantastic and unique locations that relate to the vehicle and use them to reflect what the "purpose" of the car is.

And, of course, watch for reflections....

 

[bigboi3]

I really admire this guy's work!

Flickr: mojocoggo's Photostream

 

[Robin Usagani]

You can do something like these
Usagani Photography | Weddings | Events | Portraits - Denver, CO | Favorites

 

[DisasterDan]

I really admire this guy's work!

Flickr: mojocoggo's Photostream

I know a guy that just did a shoot with him. That first picture in his flikr was actually taken by the guy im referring to.

 

[bigboi3]

I really admire this guy's work!

Flickr: mojocoggo's Photostream

I know a guy that just did a shoot with him. That first picture in his flikr was actually taken by the guy im referring to.

REALLY!? That's pretty sick. I'd love to learn his tricks.

 

[Robin Usagani]

It looks like long shutter flash light painting to me

I really admire this guy's work!

Flickr: mojocoggo's Photostream

I know a guy that just did a shoot with him. That first picture in his flikr was actually taken by the guy im referring to.

REALLY!? That's pretty sick. I'd love to learn his tricks.

 

[mjhoward]

You should consult the in-house car photog guru

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/general-gallery/156045-mostly-automotive-my-photos.html

For him, PP plays a considerable role, but you've got to have a good image to start with. It will give you some composition ideas though.

 

[DisasterDan]

Anyone mind answering a few questions about light painting for the sake of a new thread? Do you just set your shutter speed down low enough and just manual fire a flash in like a softbox? just run around popping the flash like a madman before the shutter ends to get a complete "painting"?

 

[Robin Usagani]

Yes and wear something black if you are going to be in the frame but you need to move around fast. But according to michael thats not the method.

Anyone mind answering a few questions about light painting for the sake of a new thread? Do you just set your shutter speed down low enough and just manual fire a flash in like a softbox? just run around popping the flash like a madman before the shutter ends to get a complete "painting"?

 

[christian.rudman]

disasterdan,

i actually have a bunch of lightpainting shots on my flickr. your welcome to check it out and ask in a message (just dont want to wander mentally too much in a car discussion thread) id be happy to answer any questions about them. it's different for every shot. and i've never gone ninja to do it either, kinda like the effect sometimes like in my one in the dog set. cheers.

and i dont think ruling out flickr is a great idea as well. hence the "etc," guess i should have spelled it out. getting ideas from multiple places is always choice, make the shot yourself.