Car Photography - In Need For Inspiration

Photobug

Dodge Cornet with a 440 six pack

spraynpray

I love these American muscle cars! Effortless torque.

Msmoto

I like them to turn the lights on for my photos…..



Just kidding… A car is defined, IMO, by the lights and wheels. So, I like the lights on (LR5.3) and to open up the wheels so some of the detail shows up. As to the focal length… this was shot with the 105, I believe.

NSXTypeR

MsMoto, did you desaturate the colors in your photo?

If I'm assuming they're Gulf colors, the orange and blue would pop a little more.

Msmoto

I think I was looking for the mood of the overall setting but the color was as I have shown in the image. The Gulf orange was more like this, but my color memory is like most….LOL



Sigma 35mm f/1.4 1/200, f/4, ISO 3200 on D4

I do desaturate the backgrounds as I think is fairly obvious…..

Photobug

I love these American muscle cars! Effortless torque.

These two are for you, same car as the one above.




Enjoy.

Photobug

Big engine and big torque...so much fun

Golf007sd

Now this would fun to shoot on location:





Or are these the look you are looking for?

studio460

I personally favor the long-lens, belly-on-the-ground type of shots when taking pictures of my own car. With a clear sky, and the sun near the horizon, you should get plenty of spectral dimension. This shot is a bit too dark in front (didn't have a 4' x 6' softbox with me). Oh, almost forgot . . . make sure the wheels are "turned!"


Nikon D3s + Sigma 150mm f/2.8 OS.

Msmoto

Here is one which moving around to get the ideal angle without wires. etc., is about all one can do as the owner was not available.

calengor

This is my recent attempt at some car photography, I had to be quick not because of the subject or its owner, but rather the 4 and 3 year olds with us who were intent on moving on, so I didn't get very many shots. I'm not terribly happy with any of the ones I got, but of those this is probably the best one.

JofToday

I haven't posted here in 3 or more years, but would like to contribute. Blair Bunting, as far as lighting goes, does great work. Most of his stuff is done in the studio though. Steffen Jahn shoots outdoor as much as he does in the studio. He does a lot of work for the German manufacturers. I always look to him when I'm in need of inspiration. I'm unsure how to post on here without a flickr account, but if you want to see the one car I have on my site right now feel free!

www.jefferyharmon.com

Msmoto

@JofToday

Sweet Spyder…very nicely done.

ptrmcky

Here's a couple of ideas from the guys at Fstoppers.



I really like the technique at the end using a petrol station canopy as a soft box.

JofToday

@Msmoto Thanks! Black suits and a speedlight through a scrim!

Photobug

I miss all the chrome that the older cars had. So when I go to a car show I always focus on the chrome.

Golf007sd

NoXiN

I think the location has a lot to do with the feel of the pic for car images, so find a place suits the car well. for more unique twist try night or evening shot. This guy is my inspiration for those types of shots. He gets the lighting absolutely perfect. I also like the 'transparent' hood showing the engine idea, which might work well with a vette.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/light_painter/sets/72157627458940664/

Msmoto

Sometimes I like capturing the simple elegance, shooting what is there and then fixing a lot in post….

Vipmediastar_JZ

@Msmoto you have a way with cars. thats why you are MS Moto (motors or motorcycle?).

Photobug

Got to watch for the unusual too:

And know when to push ISO and use flash under the hood:


I also like hood ornaments, this is a Desoto:


That should give you some points to ponder.

Msmoto

@Vipmediastar_JZ

Actually it comes from motorcycles…. my last solo across the US was in 2008… 7000 miles. However, I do like cars and photography of cars is very difficult and time consuming when done with good results. How about another very simple shot… unfortunately the angle was limited by walls. But….



Of course, I like to turn on the lights….

Oh, the background is very important in car photography IMO, and there are many which I throw away if this is not correctable.

Photobug

Amen Msmoto on background. So many car shows just line them up at a 45 degree angle like this one.



Oh this Vette is for sale. It had a fully body removal and restore, rebuilt engine, trans, and rear axle as well as a dash remodel, complete interior remodel. Price was $70,000.

tcole1983

As much as I love cars I have very limited pictures of them. Here is one from a walk through my neighborhood.



and found one more


unless you count these two...

NSXTypeR

A lot of times I am out and about I take photos of cars with my phone.

Not the best quality, but it's fun to spot weird or rare cars when I'm out of my house.





Studio460- that is one mean Crown Victoria! I would take a double take if I had that coming up from behind me in a car.