MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post

Paul · Sep 9th, 2007, 05:04 PM

Try, try, try again. If you have a digital camera then you've got nothing to lose by taking 100 photos in a single shoot and only getting 15 usable or really nice photos.

Like everything, some people have "an eye" or gift for it, but it is, as the old saying goes "10% inspiration and 90% perspiration". I've been on a lot of press events, and seen a lot of top car photographers at work. They don't "spare the exposures" and use very few of the shots they take.
Wear clothes you don't care too much about (and don't worry about looking an idiot)...

Because you'll want to be crawling and creeping around the car, looking up at it, across it and along it from all sorts of weird angles.
Location, location, location...

This is a hard one, but try to find places that suit the car you're shooting (if possible). If you have a racy looking MINI with decals and such, find some good tarmac that could be passed off as a race track maybe, if it's a 4X4 you're shooting, find a field. Big, open car parks and places with interesting but uncluttered backdrops seem to work pretty well for most MINIs.
By the best camera you can afford...

Megapixels are not everything either, seek advice from those in the know. You can get very good cameras for a few hundred pounds, and the difference that could make, the restrictions it lifts, can really improve your results.
Invest in a tripod, maybe a remote release...

Sunset and sunrise photos are often among the best, the colours add depth and drama to your shots. But you need a steady camera to deal with the longer exposures. This also opens up more night photography options. Oh, if you don't have a remote release, the self timer can be just as good if it's a static shot.
Don't be afraid to share bad photos, and ask if people can advise what went wrong.

I've never had anyone be condescending when seeking advice on photography on here, so ask away, someone always has an answer (or a link to one!).
Tilt the camera, frame the subject.

For some reason cars can appear to "come alive" if you angle your shots, especially ground shots. It can make a big difference, try several of each angle.
Break the rules, ignore the advice...

As much as every guide, or bunch of tips you'll read can be, always break the rules if you can. Remember, you're taking 100 photos to get a few good ones, so there's no harm in taking some really stupid photos and see what you get! Get the tyres pointing at you, get the sun behind your subject, muck about, and have fun. If you're shooting on digital and they look rubbish, who cares?! If they look good, then they're more original for being a little off the wall.
Have fun.

If you don't, what's the point?!

This guide is fairly useful, and sums up what a lot of others also say, although I don't feel they use the best examples: Car Photography Guide

Sep 9th, 2007, 05:04 PM	#2
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 05:25 AM Posts: 41,214 Offline	Try, try, try again. If you have a digital camera then you've got nothing to lose by taking 100 photos in a single shoot and only getting 15 usable or really nice photos. Like everything, some people have "an eye" or gift for it, but it is, as the old saying goes "10% inspiration and 90% perspiration". I've been on a lot of press events, and seen a lot of top car photographers at work. They don't "spare the exposures" and use very few of the shots they take. Wear clothes you don't care too much about (and don't worry about looking an idiot)... Because you'll want to be crawling and creeping around the car, looking up at it, across it and along it from all sorts of weird angles. Location, location, location... This is a hard one, but try to find places that suit the car you're shooting (if possible). If you have a racy looking MINI with decals and such, find some good tarmac that could be passed off as a race track maybe, if it's a 4X4 you're shooting, find a field. Big, open car parks and places with interesting but uncluttered backdrops seem to work pretty well for most MINIs. By the best camera you can afford... Megapixels are not everything either, seek advice from those in the know. You can get very good cameras for a few hundred pounds, and the difference that could make, the restrictions it lifts, can really improve your results. Invest in a tripod, maybe a remote release... Sunset and sunrise photos are often among the best, the colours add depth and drama to your shots. But you need a steady camera to deal with the longer exposures. This also opens up more night photography options. Oh, if you don't have a remote release, the self timer can be just as good if it's a static shot. Don't be afraid to share bad photos, and ask if people can advise what went wrong. I've never had anyone be condescending when seeking advice on photography on here, so ask away, someone always has an answer (or a link to one!). Tilt the camera, frame the subject. For some reason cars can appear to "come alive" if you angle your shots, especially ground shots. It can make a big difference, try several of each angle. Break the rules, ignore the advice... As much as every guide, or bunch of tips you'll read can be, always break the rules if you can. Remember, you're taking 100 photos to get a few good ones, so there's no harm in taking some really stupid photos and see what you get! Get the tyres pointing at you, get the sun behind your subject, muck about, and have fun. If you're shooting on digital and they look rubbish, who cares?! If they look good, then they're more original for being a little off the wall. Have fun. If you don't, what's the point?! This guide is fairly useful, and sums up what a lot of others also say, although I don't feel they use the best examples: Car Photography Guide There aint no party like my nana's tea party