hoping for some feedback on some car shots

AFarhat · Mar 11, 2015

I had posted these photos in the film gallery, but alas, the film area is not as active as this one. I was hoping to find out if I am going in the right direction, I don't think these are perfect, but I really like these few shots. I am trying to find an area that I want to do a theme of photos with and I am leaning to the car ideas because I really like it.

Sorry if I should have not double posted these photos.

Let me know what you think and if you think these have any promise. All shot with fujifilm iso 400

63180025 by ahmed.farhat2012, on Flickr

63180002 by ahmed.farhat2012, on Flickr

63200017 by ahmed.farhat2012, on Flickr

64100014 by ahmed.farhat2012, on Flickr

Designer · Mar 12, 2015

Sometimes people just don't have anything to say.

These shots are not great, but I'm encouraging you to keep going.

What do you mean "..if you think these have any promise."? I'd rather use the term "potential", as in; you have potential.

Braineack · Mar 12, 2015

the framing choices in all these shots are very odd.

binga63 · Mar 12, 2015

If you don't think they are "perfect"then don't post them....post what you like first and then ask....not liking what you post isn't the best way to start....it would have served you better to say "How could I improve upon these shots?" for a much better response...look to those that shoot what you like for inspiration and work on that until you make it your own...

AFarhat · Mar 12, 2015

Designer said:
What do you mean "..if you think these have any promise."? I'd rather use the term "potential", as in; you have potential.

Yes, potential would have been a better word. Thank you for the encouragement.

Braineack said:
the framing choices in all these shots are very odd.

Understandable, most of the time I was working to get around either a crowd of people or some sort of barrier. Do you think getting more of the car in the frame would be better?

binga63 said:
If you don't think they are "perfect"then don't post them....post what you like first and then ask....not liking what you post isn't the best way to start....it would have served you better to say "How could I improve upon these shots?" for a much better response...look to those that shoot what you like for inspiration and work on that until you make it your own...

I don't think they are perfect, but I do like these shots. I guess I could have worded the entire thread much more effectively. Thank you.

480sparky · Mar 12, 2015

My first impression is they are very flat. A quick check of the histrograms confirmed this. A few seconds with the Curves or Levels tool is all that's needed.

In the first one, the wheel in the background keeps drawing my eye. IMHO, the second one could be cropped tighter and eliminate the background altogether, focusing more on the medallion.

AFarhat · Mar 12, 2015

480sparky said:
My first impression is they are very flat. A quick check of the histrograms confirmed this. A few seconds with the Curves or Levels tool is all that's needed.

In the first one, the wheel in the background keeps drawing my eye. IMHO, the second one could be cropped tighter and eliminate the background altogether, focusing more on the medallion.

What do you mean by "flat", and what curve or level tool do you mean? I am assuming this is probably in photoshop or lightroom? I still do not have a dedicated photo editing platform.

I didn't even notice that wheel till you mentioned it, now thats all I can see. Thank you for your feedback, this is all very helpful.

480sparky · Mar 12, 2015

Flat, meaning lacking contrast. There's no real blacks or whites in the images.

Curves and levels are tools in just about all editing software, even the free stuff that came with your camera.

AFarhat · Mar 12, 2015

480sparky said:
Flat, meaning lacking contrast. There's no real blacks or whites in the images.

Curves and levels are tools in just about all editing software, even the free stuff that came with your camera.

Ah. So like iPhoto, that's all I got. Cause my 35mm didn't come with any software. Haha. I'll do some messing around with that. Thank you. Is there a good way to do that without editing, like when I'm talking the shot?

Designer · Mar 12, 2015

AFarhat said:
Understandable, most of the time I was working to get around either a crowd of people or some sort of barrier. Do you think getting more of the car in the frame would be better?.

Getting more car in the frame is very hard to do, even when you've got full control of where the car is, the background, the lighting, and everything. Car photography is not easy, and it is even harder at a car show where there are lots of people, distracting elements and poor lighting. If you keep working on it, you will eventually get to where the car's owner will ask you to take some pictures at a better location, and when you can choose the light or bring better lighting.

480sparky · Mar 12, 2015

AFarhat said:
Ah. So like iPhoto, that's all I got. Cause my 35mm didn't come with any software. Haha. I'll do some messing around with that. Thank you. Is there a good way to do that without editing, like when I'm talking the shot?

If it wasn't included, you can download it from the manufacturer's website. And there's a plethora of free stuff out there. Gimp, Raw Therapee, IrfanView, PhotoScape, InkScape, even older versions of DxO Optics Pro are free.

AFarhat · Mar 12, 2015

Designer said:
Getting more car in the frame is very hard to do, even when you've got full control of where the car is, the background, the lighting, and everything. Car photography is not easy, and it is even harder at a car show where there are lots of people, distracting elements and poor lighting. If you keep working on it, you will eventually get to where the car's owner will ask you to take some pictures at a better location, and when you can choose the light or bring better lighting.

I didn't think it would be so hard, its not moving or anything. Thank you for the feedback. hopefully next round of cars I get to shoot I'll have some photos that show some improvement.

Designer · Mar 12, 2015

AFarhat said:
I didn't think it would be so hard, its not moving or anything. Thank you for the feedback. hopefully next round of cars I get to shoot I'll have some photos that show some improvement.

Well, when you consider that they are large, shiny, partly transparent, and full of intricate detail, what could be so hard?

AFarhat · Mar 12, 2015

Designer said:
AFarhat said:

I didn't think it would be so hard, its not moving or anything. Thank you for the feedback. hopefully next round of cars I get to shoot I'll have some photos that show some improvement.

Click to expand...

Well, when you consider that they are large, shiny, partly transparent, and full of intricate detail, what could be so hard?

Haha, I guess I never thought of it like that. Would you recommend a smaller aperture when shooting cars? to get the most in detail as possible?

Designer · Mar 12, 2015

AFarhat said:
Designer said:

AFarhat said:

I didn't think it would be so hard, its not moving or anything. Thank you for the feedback. hopefully next round of cars I get to shoot I'll have some photos that show some improvement.

Click to expand...

Well, when you consider that they are large, shiny, partly transparent, and full of intricate detail, what could be so hard?

Click to expand...

Haha, I guess I never thought of it like that. Would you recommend a smaller aperture when shooting cars? to get the most in detail as possible?

It all depends on what you want in the shot and how you want to shoot it. If you need a deeper DOF, then probably you would use a smaller aperture.

Detail shots are good shots, so are overall shots. Your artistic vision will inform most of your decisions.