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Getting better photographing cars

drooartz

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I'm getting a bit better with my car photography, and was really happy with how this one came out. I was trying for more of a brochure shot here with my new 09 Honda Fit Sport. I don't have the best eye (or the best camera) but at least I'm trying.
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fitartshot.jpg
 
I like it... Cool shot. Definatly advertisment quality
You even got "stonehenge" reflected in the liftgate.. hehehee.
 
Well, this is quite a nice photo Drew, nice composition with that reflection off the back end of the car... Probably a better photo than I would have gotten, since I don't do artistic photography well... More journalist in me then artist...
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Sherlock said:
Well, this is quite a nice photo Drew, nice composition with that reflection off the back end of the car.
Thanks, though the only problem is that I didn't notice the reflection and it wasn't intentional -- that's a kiosk at the reservoir overlook where I took the photo. I was trying to keep it out of the shot!
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That's one of those detail things I need to pay more attention to when I'm putting a shot together. Earlier this year I took a really nice shot of an MG TC grille, only to get home and realize you could see me and my camera reflected in the chrome. Whoops.

As with any endeavor I suppose, it's these little details that separate the rank amateur from the actually talented. But it's fun, and I take lots of car photos so I've got plenty more time to practice.
 
DOn't sewat it Drew.. It's a fun thing I do to look at the reflectios in advertisments. It's amazing what you see sometimes. Camera men, lights, other people, trees, traffic...
here's one of mine, using reflection
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Actually that reflection works great! Actually adds to the photo, and you're doing just fine, cars reflect very well, bear that in mind, and you can also use it to your advantage.
 
That's a neat reflection shot, Banjo.

I'm having fun trying to improve my art shots. We have a great British car show every year, and I always take lots of shots. Since many of the same cars come every year, I started trying to do more interesting angles and compositions instead of just documenting the event. That gave me more reason to look at the cars as an art subject, which is fun in and of itself. Makes you really notice the interesting details.
 
drooartz said:
[ Earlier this year I took a really nice shot of an MG TC grille, only to get home and realize you could see me and my camera reflected in the chrome. Whoops./quote]

Like this

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You're on the right track. Your biggest battle was shooting into the sun with clouds in the scene. You lose definition in the clouds, which if within the exposure limits of the camera would be very dramatic. You could stand to stop the lens down a bit, and possibly even take two exposures, layering them in Photoshop. Good job though. Keep at it!
 
I really need to take a photography class.... I was drifting off a bit at "exposure limits" catching back up with "stopping the lense down", but lost it totally at "layering them in photoshop"....... hehehehe
It's all good anyway.
Here's my latest listing on craiglist
https://ithaca.craigslist.org/pho/875237778.html
 
Funny, the Photoshop bit I got, it's the other areas I'm fuzzy with. :smile:

I'm really focused on trying to work on my composition first, then I'll try to figure out the exposure bits. I'm using a standard compact digital camera, but it does have some manual adjustments -- that's for once I know more of what to do. It has been fun thinking of more interesting shots to try, rather than just the usual stuff.
 
That's the right idea. Just take a photo, look at it and decide what you would change, and remember that next time. Content and timing are far more important than composition or exposure anyway. Some of my favorite photos are blurry, dark or blown out.

Stopping down the lens = closing the iris slightly, also achieved by manipulating other functions of the camera such as shutter speed and exposure compensation. In simple terms, make the photo darker.

Layering in Photoshop = take two images, place one on top of the other and blend them together to make one better photo.

Exposure limit = the range of contrast the camera can handle before detail is lost. Notice in the photo above that the sky is blown out (too bright) on the left. If you lowered the exposure on teh camera to make it right, the dark areas would disappear. If the camera had a higher exposure limit then this would not happen as severely. Also known as contrast ratio on TVs and computer monitors.
 
Thanks for the explanations, Steve.

I love digital cameras -- there's no cost for endless experimentation.
 
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