Richard in NC
02-23-2009, 09:56 PM
I figured I'd start by giving a few tips for great photos. They can't always be achieved but they do lead to better shots.
1. Wash the car. Obvious but it certainly helps make the picture sparkle.
2. Find a simple complementary background. You don't want the background to be a distraction. Watch for poles and signs behind the car.
3. The best light is the golden hours. The first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. The more yellow light can really pop in the picture.
4. Try to have the sun behind you. Not always directly, but off to the side as well. If the camera faces the sun, the car is in shadow, plus you can get sun flares.
5. Compose the picture that you want. I still need to work on the "artsy" angles myself.
6. Watch for glare, reflections, etc. I found you can accentuate a cars lines by getting clean reflections in the car that match its lines.
7. Take lots of shots. Practice, practice, practice.
Here is one of my favorite shots that takes in acount most of the above. The background adds to the shot in some ways and absolutely sets the car off. The lion is admiring the car and adds to the shot as well.
http://bimmerdrivers.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1709&stc=1&d=1235454908
And here is one where I successfully used an "artsy" angle. Generally I find a tilted background odd but it works here.
http://bimmerdrivers.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1710&stc=1&d=1235455375
1. Wash the car. Obvious but it certainly helps make the picture sparkle.
2. Find a simple complementary background. You don't want the background to be a distraction. Watch for poles and signs behind the car.
3. The best light is the golden hours. The first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. The more yellow light can really pop in the picture.
4. Try to have the sun behind you. Not always directly, but off to the side as well. If the camera faces the sun, the car is in shadow, plus you can get sun flares.
5. Compose the picture that you want. I still need to work on the "artsy" angles myself.
6. Watch for glare, reflections, etc. I found you can accentuate a cars lines by getting clean reflections in the car that match its lines.
7. Take lots of shots. Practice, practice, practice.
Here is one of my favorite shots that takes in acount most of the above. The background adds to the shot in some ways and absolutely sets the car off. The lion is admiring the car and adds to the shot as well.
http://bimmerdrivers.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1709&stc=1&d=1235454908
And here is one where I successfully used an "artsy" angle. Generally I find a tilted background odd but it works here.
http://bimmerdrivers.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1710&stc=1&d=1235455375