Better Car Pictures

[52buickman]

Okay gang! It's show season once again...or almost, depending on your location.
Who's been practicing and on what?

Don't forget, if you want the eyes to focus on the car and how stunning it looks, make it the star. In other words, don't forget the do and do not list:

DO:
Fill the frame. Don't be afraid of having the corners of the car nearly kissing the edge of the view finder. This same method of photography also applies to automotive details: If you're taking a picture of the decorative hood ornament, fill the frame. You see more details.

Try different angles. Walking up and clicking off a shot is okay, but try a view most people do not see of the car. If you don't have lower back issues, get down low, or lay flat on the ground for a dramatic up angle. Try putting a little tilt on the camera so that the car looks like it's climbing up a low grade.

Turn the wheels. How many car magazines have you looked at? Did you ever notice that you can see the front wheel? If you're taking a picture of the left-front side of the car, turn the wheels full-lock right. If you're taking a picture of the right-front, do the reverse.

Top Down: Convertibles have an entirely different look than fixed-top coupes. Unless it's a four-door phaeton...then take a shot with the top up and one with the top down. Pick which you like better after you're done shooting.

Steering wheel straight. Yup, so often we see pictures of the car's interior where the steering wheel is in a half-turn, or worse, upside down. Straighten it out. Ever see a dealer brochure with an interior shot with the wheel all goofed up? (And be sure to take the keys out of the ignition - nobody wants to see your grocery shopping discount card next to the heater control switches - we know you eat food like the rest of us).

DO NOT:
Photographs taken at high noon. Colors in direct, harsh lighting distort, as do subtle and not-so-subtle features. Another thing that occurs is white-wash, which is when hood colors (or any other flat surface) turn into bright, featureless white blobs. Try late afternoon or early morning, and if it gets a little darker, try turning on the parking lights...it's a cool effect.

Park on grass or strip mall parking lots. When was the last time you crossed the field to get to work? And lines painted in parking lots are very reflective on doors, fenders and quarter panels, especially if your car has gloss paint/clearcoat.

Flowers and fountains. Looks pretty, but unless you are building a puzzle, people will look right past your car and try to figure out which park the car was shot in - they'll want to go visit said park on their next vacation. Car? What car?

Girls, girls, girls. Daughters, wives and significant others is cool for the wall art or if you are selling it on eBay - or putting together a pin-up calendar. If you want your car to be the focus of attention, avoid other people.

People. One other aspect that most don't think of is people in general. Cars reflect - make sure the reflection of best-friend-Bob isn't in the door, window, or any other body panel. Even the chrome. Just as important, there's nothing more distracting to an otherwise perfect image than your own shadow kissing the front bumper. Take a few extra seconds to make sure you yourself can't be seen on/near the car. This can be done by moving one of your arms while looking through the view finder. Move if you have to.

Hood/doors/trunk open. Close them, unless you are taking a picture of the engine, interior or trunk.

Shooting into the sun. Never a good idea. Make sure you are in between the sun and the car (with your back to the sun). If you have a tripod, wait till sunset and try moving around the car while shooting. Playing with low light on a slow shutter speed makes for some cool shots.


These are just a few of each, but they are the biggies. So, I ask again, what have you been practicing on? Let's see them...