Reflections
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HoppyUK
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Light reflects off a surface at the same angle it strikes, like a snooker ball off the cushion. So there the bonnet is showing whatever is above and behind. Cars are difficult, especially dark colours, with lots of shiny surfaces at all kinds of angles. That might just work with a polarising filter which kills reflections at 30-40 degrees from the surface and that looks like it might be close.
Other options include moving the camera, eg getting down lower would reflect more sky and less of the building, or moving the subject to get a more attractive reflection. Or putting something else where the reflection is coming from, so the bonnet picks that up. What you really want there is a huge black sheet, but that's hardly practical. Other tricks might include shooting at a very low f/number like f/1.4 (on a full-frame camera) that would put the reflection more out of focus.
But as I say, cars are tricky and you want at least some reflections to show and enhance the shape.
Other options include moving the camera, eg getting down lower would reflect more sky and less of the building, or moving the subject to get a more attractive reflection. Or putting something else where the reflection is coming from, so the bonnet picks that up. What you really want there is a huge black sheet, but that's hardly practical. Other tricks might include shooting at a very low f/number like f/1.4 (on a full-frame camera) that would put the reflection more out of focus.
But as I say, cars are tricky and you want at least some reflections to show and enhance the shape.
Kodiak Qc
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Not really the only way… as its efficiency depends
on the light incidence.
To be sure, in my operations, I have both the CPL
and a couple of 8m x 8m opaque cloth blockers in
three or four colours and one translucent white.
The colour choice will depend on the final reflection
applied in PP.
Kodiak Qc
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•Looking at the picture I don't feel a pair of 8m x 8m opaque cloth blockers were a realistic option!
You are absolutely right…
if one is looking at a single take.
In such photography, it is never
considered or executed that way
but rather as a composite… then
the tools make sense.
Kodiak Qc
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pjm1
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To the OP: you don't want to lose the reflections though!
You just need to make sure the reflections are of something you want - blue sky or something. Which "just" involves putting the car in the right place at the right time. That's the only issue for me...
Failing that, shoot it at night and light it yourself
You just need to make sure the reflections are of something you want - blue sky or something. Which "just" involves putting the car in the right place at the right time. That's the only issue for me...
Failing that, shoot it at night and light it yourself
Gazamonk
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•
…and, of course Ian, you had to present
the sexiest example of them all!
Ooh Kodiak, I may have to disagree.
Kodiak Qc
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•
Indeed, it has sex appeal and there is one by
Citroën, spectacular as well but the Audi…
pjm1
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Kodiak Qc
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Gazamonk
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Dont stop at the building you could also knock down the the stuff making up the bloody awful background which is more distracting than the reflections. 
Bottom line Alan (Ukmade) is that unless it was your own car you were never going to get a good shot unless you could move it. Sometimes the shot you want is just not practical due to circumstances.
Bottom line Alan (Ukmade) is that unless it was your own car you were never going to get a good shot unless you could move it. Sometimes the shot you want is just not practical due to circumstances.
Graham W
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Couldn't agree more. Hence my comment #2 "Polarising filter. It's the only way!"Dont stop at the building you could also knock down the the stuff making up the bloody awful background which is more distracting than the reflections.
Bottom line Alan (Ukmade) is that unless it was your own car you were never going to get a good shot unless you could move it. Sometimes the shot you want is just not practical due to circumstances.