basic help needed

jay1601

jay1601

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Name
Jay
Edit My Images
Yes
i want to be able to take good photos, the problem i got is i haven't got many good places to take photos round my area, i enjoy taking pics of landscape which is ok got alot of fields and things around me.

i also like talking pics of my current car, i just can't seem to get the pics to look good. i got a Nikon D300 heres a few i took today before it started raining

DSC_0079.jpg

DSC_0061.jpg

DSC_0070.jpg
 
To be fair, its a corsa, it'll never look good :p

Never taken car pics but I would suggest that you look around at others and see what you like about them.

There are tips you can pick up, like in the first image you should have turned the wheels so the alloys were more on show.

Lighting seems to play a huge part in car photography but I am not the person to give advice on that.

I would also suggest you stop taking images of the complete car, look at breaking it up in to bits and taking photos of those from different angles. For instance, the alloys, get some close up shots.

oh, and lose the p*** bear sticker :p

EDIT: put your location info in so people can see where you are and suggest locations.
 
p*** bear is a win :P

the corsa isn't to bad, just got it till i can get the scooby WRX STI in a few months :D

i live in Kingsclere
 
With the first you wanted to be slightly higher and to the left.
The second is at an angle and i can see your reflection.
The third is too close and too low.

Cars are a massive passion for me and i go to most fo the shows with clubs etc doing the photography.
One thing that you see people doing very often is they approach the car, crouch down then take a shot of the front... but by doing this you miss out half the bonnet and the car looks a bit stumpy.

Try walking around your car taking shots non stop, then look through them and find the angles you like...

A good thing to do is focus on details... do a few general shots then go in for the detailed shots.
If shooting wheels, if you are able to, rotate the wheel until the badge or holes line up straight, easily achieved by rolling the car a bit.

Maybe go in for a really low shot almost laying on the ground facing down the side of the car, turn the wheel in for a detail shot of the wheel and use dof to fade the rest of the background out... can then do the same for other details of the car you want to pick out...

The STI is a lovely car, which year are you looking at? You'll have plenty of details to photograph on one of those cars!
 
Car pictures are fairly difficult because its hard to make them stand out from all the other millions of similar pics. Try too find some interesting angles to shoot from

Maybe park on a hill or mountain and use the sky as a background?
 
i'm looking at getting the 1999/2000 i love the ones with the square headlights, in black, blue or silver :)

thank you for the help, when the weather picks up again i will go out and try the advice you have given me.
 
Better Light would help and if you cant find more empty surroundings, I would think a polariser would minimise the very distracting reflections of trees etc...

Night shots of cars usually look good, maybe try some light trails in the background for that all important impression of speed, even with the Corsa.

Nick.
 
when you get the scooby make sure you join the owners club.
Nice friendly bunch and you get plenty of discounts if you talk to the right people... plus LOTS of days out/photo oppertunities :)

As for the car shots... had another thought... where is the compulsory half naked woman on car shot? ;)
 
Try getting the car muddy it will cut down the reflections and make it look more like a rally car. :lol::lol::lol:

Realspeed
 
these are ok as a record of your car - if you want a lot beter - then you have to take control - HUGE soft light sources and reflectors - great locations - perfect natuaral light - usually dawn or dusk - one of the hardest subjects to do well - just depends what you want the pictures for.
 
Locally you've got villages such as Winchfield/Dogmersfield, Crondall & Odiham all of which have some stunning countryside and places to shoot, you have some of the best countryside in Hampshire within a very short drive!!!

In terms of car shots it will be difficult to make a Corsa look different to any other Corsa, as others have said focus on the details and bits on the car your most proud of, if your proud of something in particular it will show more in your photo's...
 
not yet, haven't had time to get any pics before it gets dark
 
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