Any automotive photographers around?

11/02/2010 02:02:01 PM · #1

This is what I REALLY enjoy shooting, all manner of vehicles. I'm a total gearhead, and LOVE taking pictures of cars. They aren't the easiest things to photograph. Especially if you aren't a pro...and don't have access to cars(models) to put on location.

But if I could shoot ANYTHING, It would be cars and racing. This past weekend I FINALLY made it up to a little auto gathering in Woodland Hills, and I made my first attempt and really TRYING to get some good auto pics. The cars are just in a parking lot, so the stuff around the cars left a lot to be desired. SO MUCH that I gave up on shooting an actual car in full more or less. I do enjoy the details, and the older cars are like MASSIVE pieces of jewelry with chrome and shiny bits, all manner of texture and color. I very much enjoy a VERY shallow depth of field, so I was attempting to use that to get the looks I want. I shot about 200 pics...and these are the ones I thought came out well enough to post. But I'd like to get some pros opinions on the shots. What works, what doesn't. I'm going to take a few of these through a bit of HDR (don't worry, I don't "use" HDR like most) and see if I can get some nice results. I am REALLY enjoying the pics of the badges, they look SO COOL! So much craftsmanship in those little things....largely goes unseen in real life.

//www.flickr.com/photos/54848577@N07/sets/72157625293217126/ (the set of pics)

My favorite pic of the bunch

DSC07420.jpg by velocity visual, on Flickr

What type of lens do people use, traditionally, to get these types of photos. I was using my Sonys kit lense, the only lens I have, pushed all the way in for the shallowest DoF possible.

11/02/2010 02:14:58 PM · #2

//www.flickr.com/photos/54848577@N07/sets/72157625293217126/ (the set of pics)

Parsed Link

Message edited by author 2010-11-02 14:15:09.

11/02/2010 02:20:30 PM · #3

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

//www.flickr.com/photos/54848577@N07/sets/72157625293217126/ (the set of pics)

Parsed Link

:-( :-D

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

11/02/2010 02:20:36 PM · #4

I like the hood retainer post and pin, probably on a mustang? I used to have that early E-type myself, so that full-car view brings back memories; gawd, that car poses well, doesn't it? Nice shots. In general, on the badge shots, you need a little MORE of the DOF, it's not good when part of the badge goes soft.

R.

Message edited by author 2010-11-02 14:21:10.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

11/02/2010 02:27:03 PM · #5

I tend to use the wide end of my lens, the wider the better for a strong perspective. My favorite shots are detail shots. I think of them as semi-abstracts. Interestingly, I'm not an auto enthusiast at all, but I think that actually helps my photography of them, as I am not looking at the complete object, but rather on the shapes, colors, textures and way the light plays off the surfaces.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

11/02/2010 02:28:38 PM · #6

My car in the most awesome parking spot ever!

But seriously, I like car photos that use rigs mounted to the car, to get it in motion. Cool beans.

Message edited by author 2010-11-02 14:29:44.

11/02/2010 02:44:26 PM · #7

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Yeah I was using full manual, and to be honest, I couldn't tell in my viewfinder nor on the LCD if I was getting slight blur. I'm still learning on that....I'd love to be able to know beforehand what lense I needed, what F stop to use, and how far away to stand to get a result.

GREAT TIP!

Yo_Splif (splif, hahah) I love that Vette hood pic...that could be a poster on many a Vette enthusiasts wall!

Message edited by author 2010-11-02 14:50:46.

11/02/2010 03:00:47 PM · #8

You can cast your eye over these if you like - they are on my other website - a mixture of Maserati and Ferraris mostly (click on the thumbnails for full size images)

Chronostasis

Oh and a mustang thrown in for good measure.

Although I do have these ones on here . .

Message edited by author 2010-11-02 15:48:45.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

11/02/2010 03:12:06 PM · #9

What do you all do about plates? I didn't want to post ANY pics of someones car that I took, where you could see the plate numbers? Legal?

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

11/02/2010 03:16:29 PM · #10

Originally posted by velocityvisual:

What do you all do about plates? I didn't want to post ANY pics of someones car that I took, where you could see the plate numbers? Legal?

You can Photoshop the plate into a Vanity Plate:

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

11/02/2010 03:28:10 PM · #11

Originally posted by velocityvisual:

What do you all do about plates? I didn't want to post ANY pics of someones car that I took, where you could see the plate numbers? Legal?

Totally legal here in the UK - wouldn't even occur to me to change them in any way. Don't know about in the States, though.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

11/02/2010 03:40:15 PM · #12

Sometimes I take them out - sometimes I leave them in . .

JulietNN

Canon EOS-7D

11/02/2010 03:53:12 PM · #13

I love shooting cars, it is right up there with the other thing I love to shoot.

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

11/02/2010 03:58:51 PM · #14

Originally posted by JulietNN:

I love shooting cars, it is right up there with the other thing I love to shoot.

I'd rather look at your photos of rather attractive, muscular young men!

PapaBob

11/02/2010 04:04:37 PM · #15

Cars are fun, there are so many angles and ways to capture cars and or their parts.

JulietNN

Canon EOS-7D

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

11/02/2010 04:13:12 PM · #16

Originally posted by SaraR:

Originally posted by JulietNN:
I love shooting cars, it is right up there with the other thing I love to shoot.

I'd rather look at your photos of rather attractive, muscular young men!

LOLOL. I will be sure to shoot some muscular men just for you Sara!

But I do love old cars, their lines are more classic, they show their age well, if parts fall off, you can replace them, they actually have more of a personality than any of my naked men.

11/02/2010 04:18:44 PM · #17

Since everyone else is posting cars, here's mine :-)

11/02/2010 04:53:54 PM · #18

Nice shot Bear - I have a picture of a '64 Mustang V8 on my site - but it's in B&W in deference to it's age.

:- )

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

11/02/2010 05:30:17 PM · #19

Originally posted by Jedusi:

Nice shot Bear - I have a picture of a '64 Mustang V8 on my site - but it's in B&W in deference to it's age.

:- )

Heck, dude, we DID have color film in '64, my HS graduation year...

R.

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

11/02/2010 06:05:21 PM · #20

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

I like the hood retainer post and pin, probably on a mustang?

Yep....it's on a rent-a-racer....

Car shots?

Yeah!!!

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/02/2010 07:17:32 PM · #21

Check out Alex Saberis car project, lots of top marques in and around London landmarks. All caught with his usual flair and style, but the great thing is, all off the cuff, nothing posed - I believe he spent a LOT of time shooting this project..
Saberis cars