Car show picture - advice please

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Mrs Platinum Ice

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Kirsty
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Hi all,

We have a car show coming up in about 6 weeks and my partners car is going to be on display as his company demo car, there will also be others there that he has worked on.

Due to the above I want some really nice pictures of the cars to put on the website, all the cars in question have Carbon fibre parts which are what my partner does for a living.

My question is, what are the best techniques to photograph cars? and what techniques are best for shooting carbon fibre (both interia and exteria)?

I know car shots are best taken from low down, but any other tips would be great.

I have a Nikon D5000 with the standard VR lens and uv filter, a new lens in the next few weeks is not an option, but I thought I might get a tripod, is this a good idea? Also would a polorising filter help?

Sorry for so many questions, but these will be the first car shots I will have done and I have a lot to learn!

All advice and tips welcome.
 
Hi. Is the show indoor or outdoor? There'll be lighting to take into account not to mention other vehicles and lots of people. I've done a few in the past of a friends. car. Got low down (. Not really an option if you become a trip hazard for other people lol.) I used a 10-22 and a 24-70.
 
What show are you going to? Trax?
 
Im fair from a pro... and still learning myself but i also attend all the major car shows through out the year, indoor pictures can be a real pain (at least i think they are) as like other above said theres a massive issue with lighting, having tripods and people. Im sure *** if you are indoors you will get access to the area when no public have access (after hours) this would be the best time to take them.

Ill be attending Trax as well as modified mania
 
Mrs Platinum Ice said:
Also would a polorising filter help?
Click to expand...

If the show is outdoors, then it may help reduce unwanted reflections, especially in glass.

It might also help bring out the weave in the carbon fibre, which may help distinguish it from any other random black plasticky-looking stuff :)

Under artificial light, it probably won't make much difference except to increase your exposure times.
 
From experience, you have to get really close to show off the carbon fibre weave, otherwise it just looks like black bodywork (unless it's the black,light grey weave).

If you're shooting at the show then a wide angle lens works well as you'll never get a shot of the car without people in it (or people walking in front of you). If possible, get the shots just after the car is setup in position.
 
Few things I know about car photography:

1. Have the camera at the level of the wing mirrors. Idealy on a tripod if possible.
2. Aim to get a 3/4 view from front left, front right, rear left, rear right.
3. Get the car to fill 80 to 90% of the frame, unless background is more interesting.

Interior is slightly harder, due to lighting etc. But if the front seats fold back, sit in the back and get a full view of dash, then drivers side, followed by central console. If you can turn ignition on to get the instrument lights on, even better. If shooting form the outside, try and get the camera at the level of the wing mirrors again, and shot. Watch your framing with this one, as seats really aren't that interesting!

Good Luck!
 
In my experience you don't have to be that close if the sun is beating down on the carbon fibre.

 
Since you love it so much, here is a rear view. As you can see, without the sun you do not see the carbon fibre at all:

 
Wheels said:
Gawd that is 1 ugly looking car :thumbsdown:
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Julian, it is a Pagani Zonda and unquestionably one of the most strikingly beautiful sports cars ever made. So there :D

To the OP, cars at shows are a nightmare, even the pros struggle. Getting the right angle, position, people in the way, messy backgrounds, and worst of all the light. Spot lights look horrendous in photos IMHO. better to find a nice outdoor location with a nice clear sky.

You kit lens is fine. Maybe a dash of fill-flash depending on the circukstances and a polarising filter will help reduce reflections. However, you can only reduce them in one plane at a time (ie bonnet/windscreen, but not doors at the same time, and vice versa) and it is the reflections that show off the shape. Catch 22 there.

If you search a few images, and link to ones that you like, it will be easy enough to see what's been done technically. Might give you some ideas.
 
Richard I know what car it is im a (TOP GEAR ADDICT) shhh I didnt say that out loud :D

I really do think they are ugly cars front and back I am more your bugatti veyron type of car lover than Zonda's:thumbs:
 
I am a total beginner but when I went to the goodwood festival of speed I also found when looking back at my pics that my favourite ones were not pics of the whole car. They were of certain defining aspects of the car eg.



and



and

 
Wheels said:
Richard I know what car it is im a (TOP GEAR ADDICT) shhh I didnt say that out loud :D

I really do think they are ugly cars front and back I am more your bugatti veyron type of car lover than Zonda's:thumbs:
Click to expand...

<off topic>

Haha! Veyron is nothing more than an aerodynamic slug! But you would have enjoyed Goodwood - not ten feet from where I think that Zonda was snapped sat two Veyrons, one in rather striking chrome all over, with a black bonnet.

Actually that particular small display area at Goodwood was the most fabulous car lot I've ever seen! In a space half the size of your average McDonalds carpark sat about £20m off utter dream cars. Just amazing :love:

Goodwood is a long way from you and hard going in a wheelchair but there were a few folks enjoying it in motorised ones. I'm not brilliant walking too far (hip ops) and I thought that was the perfect way to do it! If you enjoy just looking at amazing cars, that is unquestionably the place to go. Fantastic displays :)

<on topic>
 
This is the Veyron you are talking about I think :)

 
Willenium said:
What show are you going to? Trax?
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I'm going to edition38, which is a vw show just up the road from trax, i also believe it's the same weekend!

The show is outdoor, so hope fully that will make for better pictures.

I will have to get a polarising filter and have a play with and without it. I shall bear in mind the reflections, I wasn't aware that if it takes reflection from a bonnet the reflections in the doors would still be visable, so that is very helpful!

I am concerned about taking the pictures of the carbon fibre, but I will try up close as suggested and see how I get on. Again i'm lucky as alot of it is external although the main feature (unfortunatly it's well under wraps so I can't state what it is) of one of the cars is internal but It has been agreed that I can take some pictures of it before the show (providing no-one gets to see them).

I shall have a look around for some pictures to be analysed, I'm hoping I can pull off some nice shots, although I think i'll have to take alot of useless ones first, lol.

Any other hints and tips are welcome.

And just for the record I prefer the look of the Zonda :coat:
 
HoppyUK said:
If you search a few images, and link to ones that you like, it will be easy enough to see what's been done technically. Might give you some ideas.
Click to expand...

I've had a look around and here are some pictures that I like. there not all professional but I still like them. I look forward to your analysis!

these were taken with a nikon D50

1.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1311/1306278098_2c3351677c.jpg

2.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1422/1306295814_824e053dd8.jpg

3.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2814032453_7ddc648a03.jpg

4.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2814020439_cb3af39dcb.jpg

5.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2814870102_811bfdb50d.jpg
 
Mrs Platinum Ice said:
I've had a look around and here are some pictures that I like. there not all professional but I still like them. I look forward to your analysis!

these were taken with a nikon D50

1.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1311/1306278098_2c3351677c.jpg

2.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1422/1306295814_824e053dd8.jpg

3.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2814032453_7ddc648a03.jpg

4.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2814020439_cb3af39dcb.jpg

5.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2814870102_811bfdb50d.jpg
Click to expand...

Photographically they are all quite straightforward. Just some general comments really.

Outside with a clear sky helps with nice reflections on the bonnet.
Live view helps framing low angle shots, eg first one.
Polarising filter will darken blue sky and help with reflections. Polarisers are all about angles - 37 degrees to a flat surface is optimum, then rotate for max effect. Bear in mind that as reflections disappear in one plane, those at 90 degrees to it will reappear as you rotate it.
Last one has very shallow depth of field, created by low f/number.
 
Thank you for your help. I'll have to get the fella's to line up there car for a practice run before the big day!
 
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