Automotive Shooting - What lighting to use?

N

Neil_C2

Suspended / Banned
Messages
76
Name
Neil
Edit My Images
Yes
Im getting more confident now with the camera after a few months worth of shooting now, however to progress im looking for my car shoots to have lighting.

Now call me a newbie, or an idiot if you want, but i havent got the slightest clue in what to look for to start with. I have a flashgun on top of my camera that i use but its just not sufficient enough for what i need to be doing in time, but we all start from somewhere and it did the job just now.

What products are best to look for in regards to getting some good lighting to use and how much am i looking to pay out for everything i'd need?

Many thanks
 
Depends on what kind of shots your after. Have a look at Tim Wallace's site http://www.ambientlife.co.uk that'll give you an idea what can be achieved, albeit with years of practice and a few wilds worth of lighting!
 
mainly the shots will be static shots mate, i want to have a rig as well for some shots but can do that later on.

the main kind of shots i will be doing this kind, im at a happy stage with my panning shots for moving cars at track days and events etc, however i need good lighting for static shots. These are examples of the kind of shots i want to be able to pull out with this. Shots are taken mainly from other users on here but they are to give you an idea of what im after


3980803913_b57b774ba5_o.jpg


5363968894_833cb76791_b.jpg


ag%20mk2%20(2).jpg
 
in case i wasnt clear enough by what info i was looking for in the first post - if anyone has links to any equipment to buy regarding this i'd be very greatful.
 
Get yourself a set of wireless triggers (Phottix Strato, Yongnuo RF-602) and a couple of Yongnuo flashes (or more expensive Nikon/Canon ones if you have the dosh), some stands for the flashes, plus light modifiers like some big softboxes, brollies and beauty dishes.

Some guys on here - GFWilliams being one - love the old rig shot, which is basically a big boom arm attached to the car via a set of suction pads, with the camera on one end. This captures shots while you're moving. It's getting a bit overdone these days but people like it.

If I were you (and I'm just a photographer who likes looking at cars, not shooting them) I'd just get a couple of flashes and triggers and learn to play with multiple bare flash to get an idea of how you want to light a car and what kind of shots you want. Of course, having access to nice cars is all fair and well, but a polished-up family runabout will be a more than adequate model to get you started.

It seems that light, composition and location are key to getting something that's amazing - I'd concentrate on lighting for the time being to get your head around how it all works and what you can achieve.

Go to www.strobist.com to learn about lighting - that is the only place you need to visit to learn about off-camera flash. Then buy a book called Light: Science & Magic, which will tell you more about surfaces and refelection.

Job done :) :thumbs:
 
thanks for that specialman!

I'd be looking to practice mainly on my daily runabout, a c2 similar to the first picture only not as low as that and in black.

The rig shots would be sparingly used and not overdone in every shot, but it is something i wouldn't mind doing in time.

I'll do some research and let you know what i choose, thanks very much for your help and advice
 
you don't specifically need flashes to shoot cars.

lets see some of your current work?



Neil_C2 said:
Im getting more confident now with the camera after a few months worth of shooting now, however to progress im looking for my car shoots to have lighting.

Now call me a newbie, or an idiot if you want, but i havent got the slightest clue in what to look for to start with. I have a flashgun on top of my camera that i use but its just not sufficient enough for what i need to be doing in time, but we all start from somewhere and it did the job just now.

What products are best to look for in regards to getting some good lighting to use and how much am i looking to pay out for everything i'd need?

Many thanks
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
You could work with small flashguns etc, but I have the Lencarta Safari with two heads And did this.

Healey1.jpg


You could use the Safari with flashguns triggered with the same type of trigger/receiver kit (RF602 with four receivers for example)

The cheapest is with the 462 from Yongnuo at about £24.00 each on the bay or the 460 MKII £40.00 approx.
 
here are some of my shots that i usually take during daylight -

5012453510_286779530d_b.jpg


5012602946_399ecec50c_b.jpg


im uploading some to flickr just now of a recent car i tried, but wasnt happy with the light levels i had, and feel to become better i really need better lighting, i'll post them when they have finished being uploaded
 
It's hard to say what you'll need because it's different for different situations.

One of my best shots was with two cheap battery powered camcorder lights on cheap stands, others were in a huge infinity walled studio with tens of thousands of watts of studio lighting. Other peoples work I've seen have just used light painting with led torches.

I suppose initially a couple of flashguns and triggers would help, as would some stands and maybe brollys. Just be aware of the cheaper stands need weighting down, otherwise they blow over. The RF-602 wireless triggers have a good range and double up as remote shutter release as well. If you cant manually control the power of the flashguns then you can modify the output using card, tissue paper etc.

Take a look around at other peoples work, take a guess at how they lit it and try yourself. Don't be afraid to experiment.
 
cheers folks, forgot to upload the picture i needed on flickr, i'll get them up shortly.
 
POAH said:
you don't specifically need flashes to shoot cars....
Click to expand...

Totally agree, but when the light sucks it's an option. But then again, I actually think some of the best magazine stuff is that done under natural light... :)
 
Just to bounce this. I've just bought a LED light panel from 7 day shop
(this one) http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=109451)
to use as a light painting source. I hope to get out again this weekend to try it out.
480 lumens on full wack is really bright. Have it on for 5 mins and the batteries warm up. The only issue I've seen so far is it's easy to knock the button that turns it on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top