Advice for my first car shoot

Big_Bill

Big_Bill

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Name
William
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Hi all,
I have been wanting to have a go at something new for a while.
I wasn't fussed what, I just wanted to get my camera out of a studio.

A friend has recently bought a Ferrari 360 spider and after chatting last night, we have arranged to take some photos of it.

It will be my first time doing anything other than studio lit portraits, so I was hoping for any advice that anyone could offer really.
I was thinking about having a look for a run down location to get a good contrast between the nice shiny new car and dilapidated background?

Providing I can sell a couple of bits of kit that I don't use any more, my kit come the day should be this:

400D, 18-55mm, 50mm F1.8, Decent Tripod, 2* radio triggered off camera flash units, huge reflector (if you think I need it).

Am I missing anything vital?
Any advice for the day?

Cheers for looking!
 
Location is key. Go out and search for a GOOD location on a separate trip and say take some pics of your car there (without lighting or anything) just to give yourself an idea of locations that you could use.

With the actual shoot, remember to lookout for lamp posts, bins and things sticking out of the car etc. Make sure the shot is right in camera.

Most of all, make sure that you compose before you even think about lighting.

Hope this helps,
George

ps. get a polariser to cut down and controll reflections
 
Cheers for the advice George,
I am going to have a hunt for a location this week.
I wouldn't have thought about the polariser but thankfully I have one for both lenses I am planning on using.

Cheers
 
No, sadly not.
Widest will be the 18mm end of my kit lens
 
That should be fine Bill, just take a look in popular magazines such as Evo to get some ideas for angles and composition. I'd recommend searching around on Flickr too, another great resource for ideas.

It might also be a good idea to get another mate along with another car, to drive alongside the Ferrari allowing you to get some shots of it moving whilst you sit in the open boot.
But as George said, the locations can really make or break a car photo. I wouldn't recommend industrial areas for something as classy as a Ferrari, so really put some time and effort into researching these around your area.

DeanPhoto on here has some great examples on his Flickr page too.
 
Cheers Mike,
I will have a hunt for a decent location, I think I just have a hankering for some urban shots, but your right, I don't want to ruin this shoot.

Will look up DeanPhoto and check out his work.
 
Check out the guy who lights all his car pics with long exposure and multiple pops from a handheld manual flash in a softbox. Its on youtube iirc, but cant remember the name for the life of me

This isnt the vid, and he's using a bare flash, but you get the idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMpqoTv6icI
 
Liberalis said:
Bill, try Himley for nice open areas or anywhere around merry hell for rough urban.
Click to expand...

Looking into Merry Hill at the moment, they have some new "ultra modern" apartments that I think could make for an interesting backdrop.

rally-media said:
Bill, when are you planning on doing this shoot?

May be interested in coming along just to pick up some tips or even help out if you think I could. Only live in Sedgley. PM if interested.

Cheers Marcos
Click to expand...

Hi Marcos,
More the merrier, would be good to get a 2nd set of eyes.
Will drop you a PM as soon as I have a rough idea of a date.
 
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