Shooting an outdoor Car show.

IanBestPhot

IanBestPhot

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Ian
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Hi guys,

I'm shooting at the Adrian Flux French Car show at the end of this month and was wondering if you guys have any tips for outdoor car shows? I've never shot an outdoor show before so I was wondering if:-

It's worth taking a tripod?

Worth attaching CPL?

I don't currently have any flash units but looking into buying one at the minute. If I do buy one is it worth taking?

I have a 17-55 f/2.8 which I am going to take as in my opinion its a great lens and match for the 7D I'm using.

Any opinions appreciated :-)

Thanks in advance
 
Tripod - depends on the type of photo you want

CPL - sensible

Flash - if you have one, take it

Problem with car shows is the public. They get in the way a lot, no clean backgrounds...
 
I struggled at Goodwood yesterday for clean backgrounds but happy I took the cpl :)

Pics in the transport section. I wouldn't carry a tripod around all day in this heat.
 
Thanks guys, my tripod is only a small portable one, may purchase a mono just for the day.

My car is actually on show on the scorpion trade stand so I am there early doors before the gates open luckily, so may have a chance to get some good shots and close up's before the crowds arrive :-)
 
i dont think you'l need a tripod really - handheld should be fine and a flash in daylight on camera is not going to be very pleasing (flat and harsh). a CPL filter is very handy though.
 
kman said:
i dont think you'l need a tripod really - handheld should be fine and a flash in daylight on camera is not going to be very pleasing (flat and harsh). a CPL filter is very handy though.
Click to expand...

+1. With a car the flash will create hot spots in the paint/chrome.

If people are a problem, and you are determined, you can use long exposures (tripod/nd) to "ghost them out."
 
a mono pod is just the thing, as said about how crazy it gets just a shame you dont have a wide angle lens as your going to struggle to get a few shots of 1 or 2 cars on there own as they are parked that close some times ,if you dont want reflections on the cars a cpl is a def,take your own drinks and a sandwich or 3 lol as the food vans cost a fortune,as you will be on a club stand remember your going to have to make the time at the start to sort your own car out and get it parked up on the stand so think about what you want the most to take photos of first and go there after sorting your car, last enjoy the day bud
 
Cheers everyone for your advice! Will definitely take my CPL down then and maybe look into a mono. Maybe look at getting a 7D grip too as I suppose that would be helpful, I have plenty of CF cards but only one battery haha (schoolboy error.)

Anything else you guys can think of? By the looks of the weather I'm guessing there's going to be some pretty harsh light flying around so very short shutter lengths etc?
 
No.
Yes.
No.
Sounds fairly ideal.
A monopod could be used to get high level shots - you'll have to trust a little to luck as far as composition goes but you'll get something a bit different! While you're shopping for the 'pod, get a spare battery ;) .
 
Thanks mate thats ideal. Will look at getting another battery. Think I've got a dust spec on focus screen too so time for a rocket blower ha!
 
+1 for CPL and any lens cleaning stuff.

I went to GTI International last week and took my own food in a coolbox. It was a halfrauds jobbie which powered from a 12V socket in the car (I have one in the boot) so it kept the food cool whilst I drove.

Don't bother with tripod/flash but do think about composition, angles etc. I took loads of pics but the best ones were either really nice cars that had to people around them or interesting shots eg toy sitting on wheel.

Take some sunscreen lotion too as well as plenty of water (I stuck mine in the freezer the night before).
 
Just bought a monopod and a lens hood for my 17-55 as I don't have a UV filter so could see if I can get anything nice using that. Cheers for all the input! I shot Ultimate Dubs but that was inside and mad, mad busy. Was an absolute nightmare to be honest but will have another go at this. Usually just do static shoots outdoors with a single car on location!

Again anything else you guys think I'm missing feel free to point it out :-)
 
yes mind the shots of the babes lol i got the emails from the megane sport and the renault forums about the show and renault but dont own a renault any more i did display my vauxhall vectra at the club stand a few years back in the scottish car show im going this month to but as a spectator good fun but can get crazy
 
The 7D and 17-55 will be perfect ;)
 
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Monopod? Really?

The only time I find it useful is when using big, long, heavy glass for long periods.

200mm and shorter, just hand hold it... 17-55.... definitely hand hold it!
 
Agree with desantnik, plus if you car is in the paddock Castle Combe isnt that big so you can always offload stuff.

Walk down to Quarry courner and have a go at panning you can get quite close and 55 on 7d with a little crop should get you something decent.

Are you covering it for anyone or just shooting for yourself?
 
Talking from experience the weekend just past, you mite not be able to easily adjust the CPL with the lens hood on (I couldnt at all), luckily it was early morning so I didnt need the hood on, but something to think about.

Tripod with ND for ghosting is a good shout, not tried it myself but intend to.

Scott
 
Sko77y said:
Talking from experience the weekend just past, you mite not be able to easily adjust the CPL with the lens hood on (I couldnt at all), luckily it was early morning so I didnt need the hood on, but something to think about.

Tripod with ND for ghosting is a good shout, not tried it myself but intend to.

Scott
Click to expand...

I can just get my finger in between the petals of the hood (Sigma 17-70) to adjust the CPL.
 
If you use CPL's a lot, consider getting a collapsible rubber screw on hood. If you are smart and buy/bought a cpl to fit the largest needed and step-up rings, then just get a hood that will work with your shortest (widest) lens.
 
Hi guys, Sorry I never got back to you all been mad busy with work.

I'm shooting the event for myself as this is the first time I have ever done an outdoor event, didn't want to ask around if people needed shots when I have never done it before. If it's anything like the indoor events I have shot it can be an absolute nightmare to get people out of the way etc! I bought a monopod because I fancy delving into the world of videography with the DSLR at some point and thought I could have a dabble whilst I am down there, although I have never tried it before so could go horribly wrong!

I can't adjust the CPL with the lens hood on but will be taking it down anyway because its good to have if the sun really is out in force as it has been of late!

Never been to Castle Combe, my car is on one of the main trade stands so should be able to get some good shots.

Thanks for all the advice guys, really appreciated.
 
It was okay actually not too bad, to be totally honest I never really did much shooting as I was too busy spending my hard earned money on my car hahaha! It was a great day though in fairness!
 
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