Want Another Reason To Buy A Phoon?

[Paradoxx]

  mattson said:

Yeah Bain, I hear ya... but there's a general rule when it comes to car photography and that's not letting your background rule the shot. it's about the car afterall.

I mean rules can be broken.

That first shot of your car (I assume) is alright, I would have cropped that red bit out at the end... and the lines of the building are too harsh... they lead the eyes away from the car (which again, is the subject)

so just be careful with those types of shots.. it pays to keep the action and focus on the car

Matt

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is why I love that pic of the two cars... it would probably be more appropriate to have an HSV in the background like that... it gives a little bit of a story to the picture. The F6 being the focus, the "other" car being "insignificant" compared to the one in focus.

[Bain]

  mattson said:

Yeah Bain, I hear ya... but there's a general rule when it comes to car photography and that's not letting your background rule the shot. it's about the car afterall.

I mean rules can be broken.

That first shot of your car (I assume) is alright, I would have cropped that red bit out at the end... and the lines of the building are too harsh... they lead the eyes away from the car (which again, is the subject)

so just be careful with those types of shots.. it pays to keep the action and focus on the car

Matt

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I see

Those are just a few shots I took on the way over to a mates place

I havent edited the pics, just resized them. If I were to touch them up a bit, id do just what you were talking about.

Im still learning photography, its something you can add a personal touch too.

[XR Impact]

Hey Mattson,

What res is ya camera?

I've have a large format digital printer 1440dpi 1.3m wide

would love a good hi res photo to printout for my show room. Maybe your car and I'll do you a copy as well. My camera is a 5 megapix blah blah blah it is OK to a certain size but you know the old story between digital and 35mm.

[mattson]

Well funny you ask mate, because I just invested in a Canon EOS 5d (which these photos are taken with)

it's a 12.8 megapixel 35mm digital sensor. It bridges that gap and is supposed to be a true 1:1.

I'll take you up on the offer... and provide you with a glorious shot of my lil blue, and we'll see what the results come up like.

I might even be able to swing some work your way with prints for my customers, as I've had enquiries about people wanting big shots for their walls... I also wouldn't mind a shot for my wall.

we can take this offline if you like, just drop me a line @ mattson@bigpond.net.au

Cheers,

Matt

[dal_dhillon]

Love the pic's matt!! looks awesome!!

and Nice F6 Blonk!!

Dal!

[mattson]

I feel it's also about time to share the industry secrets... (these were printed in speed magazine a few months back and ended up all over the internet):

A really good article on how to take professional looking photos of your pride and joy with out the need of a pro. photographer or expensive equipment. First of all I’d like reference all material below as from that issue.

Top 8 DON'T - As Advised By 'Speed' Magazine

-Don't shoot your car on grass or sand (You wouldn't believe how many times this came up over the article) leave it for the cows.

- Don't allow telegraph poles or trees to be in the background as it will look like they are sticking out of your cars roof.

- Don't leave windows half open.

- Don't shoot dark cars in the middle of the day.

- Don't have shadows cast under or over the car.

- Don't forget to wash your car, dirt really shows up in pictures.

- Don't just take one shot.

I know most of them a gimmies but you'd be surprised how many cars I see on here not following the most obvious ones.

Top 8 DOS - As Advised By 'Speed' Magazine

- Do shoot your car on concrete or asphalt; it looks natural

- Do shoot dark cars in soft ambient late-afternoon light. (Sunset always looks awesome)

- Do examine the paint all the paintwork for clean, simple reflections

- Do point the wheels AWAY from the camera (so everyone can see your wicked expensive rims)

- Do keep the background clean and simple (remember it’s about your ride not the scenery)

- Do try to find a low angle that will make your car look phat.

- Do detail everything, such as windows, tires and inner guards.

- Do experiment and practice.

Other photo tips from professional photographers such as Mark Bean, Guy Bowden, Cristian Brunnelli or Tony Rabbitte. thumbsup.gif

- Shoot dark cars at sunset or sunrise, shoot bright cars in sunshine. Pearl, candy and metallic need sun and lots of it.

- Again NO grass, sand or trees growing out of the roof.

- Gaffer tape is a useful waxing tool on carpet if a vacuum cleaner is not at the ready.

- Black the tires, black the tires, black the tires.

- Check the off-camera objects and make sure your mates yellow R32 isn't reflecting in your beautiful paintwork. Ensure your shots are clean. Top photographers use the reflection of the landscape horizon to emphasize body lines.

- Hit the deck cars look great from a low angle, giving that mean outta-my-way stance. Beware of ants.

- Do try taking shots of your car on the move action shots always look great.

- Again make sure your car is immaculately clean with all those little extras not forgotten.

- When taking interior shots park the whole car in a shaded area.

- Study your subject first. Walk around the car and view it at different view points, to see which angle looks best.

- Don't be afraid to move your car around, this will make your collection more diverse.

[Paradoxx]

Great advice Mattson... thanks

[HellionXR6T]

Damn nice, Have to get ya to shoot my Shockwave beastie soon dude.

[mattson]

[Paradoxx]

I washed my car tonight and decided to take some happy snaps, trying to follow the tips you posted earlier. I probably blew it completely but as far as angles go I'm pretty happy especially with a Kodak 3.2Mp camera

What do you think?