How do YOU find the location?

PGD

PGD

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How do you go about finding the right location for a static automotive shoot?

Is it just a case of getting out and looking for yourself? If you do this, how much time do you spend looking?

Is there a better way? Internet, google maps, word of mouth.. that sort of thing? I've not heard many photographers give out great locations very often tbh, they are more like close guarded secrets and I can see why.

When you have a shoot lined up, would you make sure you know exactly where you were going before leaving home? Or do you take a drive until a location suitable presents itself?

Just interested to hear views on how you manage the issue really :)
 
Nice 5!

I normally keep my eyes out when I'm driving around, or just go out for a drive and see what I can find.
 
I shoot mostly Macro and my game is to drive around on day's off work and seek Out suitable locations to vist

Les ;)
 
Ah right, that’s just what I've been doing too.

And those who shoot clients cars.. do you always have a specific location in mind before the shoot? So you scout out the local area before hand.
 
Car photographers take notes wherever they go, position of the sun etc. It's a never ending task, and yes they are a bit secretive about it. I don't think there's any other way. Maps and google earth etc won't tell you much at all, if anything.
 
markmullen said:
Through my work (as the Sales Manager of a leading Porsche specialist) I help arrange quite a lot of shoots with professional car photographers, I keep my eyes open as I am out and about, if I find somewhere I think will work I grab the GPS co-ordinates (usually on my tomtom) for future.
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OT

Specialist Cars Malton? I met John many years ago, friend of a friend. He has some stories as a cruise ship photographer :eek:
 
i take a pic and twitter it to myself with location ID - create a one off Twitter account if you dont want this to appear on ** main account.

though saying that i'm sure you could do same creating a custom google map?
 
I've always wondered about how people find locations. There are a few around my way but they have all been done to death so finding new ones is definately a good idea. But actually finding them always seems difficult. I have seen a few local photographers shots from some very impressive looking locations but nobody is keen on handing out their locations. And fair enough I guess.

Personally I just see whats is around me when I am driving about. I can't justify the petrol cost involved in just randomly going out and hunting new spots so it's all just what I see on my usual journeys.

Ian
 
bordercontrol said:
I've always wondered about how people find locations. There are a few around my way but they have all been done to death so finding new ones is definately a good idea. But actually finding them always seems difficult. I have seen a few local photographers shots from some very impressive looking locations but nobody is keen on handing out their locations. And fair enough I guess.

Personally I just see whats is around me when I am driving about. I can't justify the petrol cost involved in just randomly going out and hunting new spots so it's all just what I see on my usual journeys.

Ian
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It's funny how the same photographers seem to find all the best locations, again and again.

But there's no mystery to it, just hard work. Landscape photographers are always thinking about and looking for locations. It's a never ending passion.

Then when they've found one, they will go back to it time and again, to get the light at the right angle, the clouds in the right place, at different times of year, with this technqiue or that filter. It's an obsession.
 
Good to see we all go about it the same way.. I just wondered if I was missing something..

I often think that would be a good location while I drive past it.. then forget all about it :bonk:

The map tag is a great idea, shame my phone is no-where near clever enough to do that! Maybe I should try and take a picture of it when I can, that should help..
 
It's the holy grail, finding a good location, but usually you've got a very good idea where to go for a shoot,but then you might fins somewhere different. Generally I work with local sites because I know my local area.

If I see somewhere good then I might take a photo and use the notes bit of my phone.
 
PGD said:
Good to see we all go about it the same way.. I just wondered if I was missing something..

I often think that would be a good location while I drive past it.. then forget all about it :bonk:

The map tag is a great idea, shame my phone is no-where near clever enough to do that! Maybe I should try and take a picture of it when I can, that should help..
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Sat-nav will save the location.
 
HoppyUK said:
Sat-nav will save the location.
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Not my crappy one built into the car, or a bit hard on a motorbike :)
I have used google for suggestions, then tried to follow it up with street view
 
I use google maps/streetview a lot as there isn't much choice but to do that most of the time for me...

In fact, over half the photos taken on this page were found on google street view: http://gfwilliams.net/Portfolio/

The unfortunate truth of professional car photography is that you won't have the time to go for a drive to find locations before the shoot. A lot of it is making the most out of the locations you have available to you.

Any locations which I find otherwise I just remember, none of this technology faff, I've got a memory :p
 
GFWilliams said:
The unfortunate truth of professional car photography is that you won't have the time to go for a drive to find locations before the shoot. A lot of it is making the most out of the locations you have available to you.
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This when your driving 400 miles to shoot a car for a client you can't go wondering round for a couple of hours before hand.

I normally start by asking the owner if they know any where that fits the brief, then I'll google street view it see if it could work and then go about getting access.


If that doesn't work I'll normally start asking any local contacts I have.

A lot of it comes down to how willing the owner is, some don't mind spending 4/5 hours on a shoot and do what ever you need, others see it almost as a hinderance and are only interested in doing as little as possible . :bonk:
 
I do automotive static shoots. ALL of the time ive it planned out with a location in mind, usually find it by knowing the area, or asking friends in the are, or the wonderful invention of google maps lol
 
I usually find a location that I've either spotted myself or someone has told me about. I normally have a backup location in mind just incase someone goes wrong at the first location (had this once before). Then I will use the location to the best I can whilst I'm there.

Finding new locations is always tricky though.
 
Off topic - those photos are amazing George, and what an opportunity to get to see such amazing machinery up close!

The locations are amazing too - love the 2 Rollers in front of the stately home
 
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