Shooting a Ferrari

[mhafweet]

I'm heading to Cali this weekend to shoot bridals and engagements by the beach. It so happens that I have a friend in the area who owns a hot red Ferrari, so we're planning to shoot with it.

Never done a shoot revolving around a car before. Obviously I want the car to be all shiny. Wondering if there is anything special that I should do to light the car properly for an afternoon-evening shoot?

And/or ideal locations for an epic shoot in the San Diego area?

 

[NielsSw]

if you have a polaroid filter, take it with you. It takes away the reflection on the car. Example: http://www.photography.ca/wp-content/uploads/blog-image-sept29-2008.jp

 

[Sw1tchFX]

I would use a polarizer and shoot at 200mm f/2.8. That way you get good compression on the car yet still get soft backgrounds.

 

[KmH]

It takes some serious lighting equipment to light a car well.

Columbia is a long way to go to shoot on the beach.

 

[mhafweet]

Oooh, good call on the polarizer. =) I do have one. I'll be sure to bring it.

The road trip is half the adventure. =) I'm actually kind of excited to see how my couple reacts to the not-at-home atmosphere. I need something new in portfolio.

 

[cfusionpm]

And/or ideal locations for an epic shoot in the San Diego area?

Anything in the Mission Bay area should be nice. There are a lot of parking lots, grassy areas, and beach areas. If you don't mind driving it over sand, Fiesta Island will let you drive up right to water if you so desire. I shot a friend's car there a while ago coming around one of the corners:

 

[Rocan]

corner shots.... interesting angles... a wide lens up close is my preferred method for shooting cars and bikes (bikes are my primary hobby, and will eventually be my job if my automotive company ever takes off). the only time I find side, front, and other single plane images interesting with cars is when i need those photographs for 3d modeling/blueprinting of some sort. try stuff that isnt done; place your camera right along side the edge of the car, get as low as you can, as high as you can... just picture a box in your vision and place your car in that box.

a quick telephoto works great as said above, but it may be difficult to get far away enough from your car.

as for blurred background... with cars the location is half the image. example- an off road vehicle placed in the city seems to dominate the landscape while placed in the wild it looks at home.

in terms of lighting... hard to light a car well in any conditions except for indoor at shows with at least two flashes using some umbrellas etc. play with your lighting a bit. cars are designed with a light overhead 90 percent of the time. thats when the contours come out and look best. you can in fact light a car TOO well.

 

[PaulFromthePrairies]

Car Photography Tutorials - A CHRONOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF ALL OUR TUTORIALS has a lot of good info. As mentioned earlier, keep in mind the natural environment of the car. A 4x4 Truck shot on grass or sand works but an exotic car will not.