Lighting a black car

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fastworldimages

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Ryan
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yes the age old question....

I have 2x elinchrom ranger power packs so plenty of grunt, as far as im aware the black is a complete sod to shoot (reason im asking is have two big cars to shoot which are black).

Obviously the black also has alot of reflections, so plan to shoot as per usual with the lights really high up almost shooting the light over the car and not low down where i find you get more hotspots.

So does anyone have any more info/good source of reading on the matter. :D
 
Depending on the lighting conditions - in a controlled studio or outside in broad sunshine? Maybe get some really large sheets to diffuse the light as much as possible?
 
Sorry, but you don't have anywhere near enough power if these are studio shots - you will need an overhead softbox measuring at least 3 times the length of the car (and the lights to power it), and that's without the more specialised lights needed to draw attention to features such as tyre tread, wheels and so on.

As you have the Rangers, you might want to consider taking the shots outdoors on a dull day and using the flash as accent lights - or if you get stuck with bright sunshine, simply erect a large black scrim just out of shot above the car.
 
Aye, like Garry says, you're going to need some big softboxes (or other alternate large light sources).

Shooting black cars is like shooting chrome. It's the reflections you're capturing on the camera really to give it shape and form, not the colour of the vehicle.

I'd go with what Garry says and shoot it outdoors if you can. A black tarmac car park with no markings would do if you have decent sunshine. Throw up a big black scrim over the car to block it from direct sunlight, and then you can just use big white (or grey if the sun's too harsh) 8x4 boards propped up around the car at various angles to produce big white studio-esque reflections around the vehicle to show off the shapes and curves where required.

If you have them, I might consider snooted & gridded speedlights for a bit of fine control on lighting the tires.

(wow Garry, that's twice we've agreed with each other in as many days, looks like there's hope for us yet! ;))
 
Not studio shots garry so rules out the first point thankfully.

Second point, thanks I know people do light black cars not just the usual (only use the sun)

I was going to be shooting on a normal day (hopefully overcast) as this seems to be much more ideal. Or if its sunny obviously try and use that and then my rangers as a fill.

Am i right in thinking that its better here to try and blow the light over the car, so theres less chance of the hot spot? If that makes sense to you, ill be using 21cm reflectors and instead of having them soley aimed at the car I was thinking of shooting them over the roof for example and having the fall off from reflected light may avoid the bulb being as visable?
 
The problem is, it's black. You're not going to really see highlighted and shadow areas by directly lighting it. It's just all going to look the same shade of black, no matter how much light you pour onto it.

like these images..

http://64.251.10.3/nimg/2007/05/thumbs/lrg_article_10345-img_0.jpg
http://tinypic.com/dwcdpc.jpg
http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/03/Hummer_H3_Black_Edition.jpg <-- look at the left side of this car (the right side of the image). It's just solid black, because nothing's reflecting in it, even though it's "lit".

It's the reflections in the black you have to control. The only parts you actually light are the non-black parts, which will actually get lighter or darker the more or less light you thrust at them.
 
I generally use the lights to overpower the ambient, although im aware that in doing this the issue I have is the big reflections which is why I need to make sure I position the lights in a manner in order to not have a big ass hot spot.

Does that mae sense?

Annoyingly the main car is blac with black wheels lol!
 
Go try it, show us the results.
 
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