[BerraST]

Hello.

I have got a Red Fiesta ST and want to take some 'arty' photos instead of the usual snap shot. Have any of you got any tips on how to make a shot of a car look interesting? As i havent a clue.

Thanks for any help.

Mark.

[stepheno]

Hi Mark - I've never done this myself but a few suggestions could be

1 Closeups head-on showing length of the car.
2 Closeups of details eg headlamp, badge etc
3 Headon using a wide-angle lens
4 Get somebody else to drive it and try some panning
5 Don't forget interiors - they can often give good shots
6 Night shots using flash, streetlighting etc

Just a few to help you start-off. Oh, and dont forget....there's dozens of ways you can post-processyour shots to give even more effects like colour replacement. HTH

[Gary Bagshawe]

Get low down to ground level looking up with a wide angle lens on, kinda worms eye view, shoot at dusk with headlamps on and a small amount of fill flash

[silkstone]

The lamps on some cars can make an interesting abstract in themselves.

[BerraST]

Thanks for the comments so far.

Mark.

[Dabhand16]

When you come to print your shots, try a couple using the printers 'draft' setting. I've got some photos of one of my Son's first car - a Nova SRi printed like this and the effect was to make the print look as if it was hand drawn with charcol/crayon. Difficult to describe, but looks quite good.

Also, have a browse through some car mags and see how they compose their shots. I seem to remember to always have the front wheels turned towards the camera slightly if your shot is from a front quarter. Using wide angle will give a different feel to the photo than a telephoto. Try both, you can get really close with a wide angle and some interesting compositions are possible, just like Stephano and Gary said. Do some details too, and don't forget the interior.

Try some with and without the lights on (day and night). Clean, wet cars often look good in photos. Just keep mixing all of the suggestions and you will find that you will end up with some blinding pictures.

[Dave]

Try for dramatic locations that make the car stand out. When I got my bike I wanted to have the opposite to the smart new look of bike, so went for run down industrial estate. Also used a wide angle for some to add impact.

Also look for the best lines on the car. Move around the car with camera for 5-10 mins minimum, trying different angles, before taking shot.

I also find when sun has set you can get some great reflections on the car at right location. Direct sunlight can produce too harsh a shadows & blown highlights.

Anyway here's the examples I talked about, that migth give you some ideas :-







Look forward to seeing your shots

[BerraST]

Wow, some great shots, Dave. I'm loving the number plate too

Whilst everyone is indoors watching that game called Football, I will be out taking shots of my car and becoming a world famous automotive photographer <--- I wish

Thanks all, more tips are greatly appreciated!

Mark.

[Dave]

Note the number plate was photo shopped in Currently sits on £1M Ferrari Although I was tempted by plate YOO5 SLO, which I thought would annoy a few fast cars when you got in front of them.....although they would have to be quick to read it

Another option though for your car shot though....add an interesting private plate for fun

Have fun with the shoot !!

[Toonie]

Dave

That plate brought back a few memories as the guy that owns the Ferrari parked it next to our tent at the 24 hr Le Mans camp site a few years ago. He was a realy nice guy as I recall.

Regards Toonie

[Dave]

Ferrari GTO from memory.....lovely motor. When I saw the guy he looked like a farmer .....or should I say country gent

[daveyuk]

Don't forget your tyres will make for some good close up and abstract with the tread pattern, get yourself some tyre shine as well to give them a boost.

Location, location, location.

[Dave]

Good point. I can remember as a kid having a poster on the wall with a closeup of rear, incl tyre of a Lamborghini Countach....... how wide