This is what I REALLY enjoy shooting, all manner of vehicles. I'm a total gearhead, and LOVE taking pictures of cars. They aren't the easiest things to photograph. Especially if you aren't a pro...and don't have access to cars(models) to put on location.
But if I could shoot ANYTHING, It would be cars and racing. This past weekend I FINALLY made it up to a little auto gathering in Woodland Hills, and I made my first attempt and really TRYING to get some good auto pics. The cars are just in a parking lot, so the stuff around the cars left a lot to be desired. SO MUCH that I gave up on shooting an actual car in full more or less. I do enjoy the details, and the older cars are like MASSIVE pieces of jewelry with chrome and shiny bits, all manner of texture and color. I very much enjoy a VERY shallow depth of field, so I was attempting to use that to get the looks I want. I shot about 200 pics...and these are the ones I thought came out well enough to post. But I'd like to get some pros opinions on the shots. What works, what doesn't. I'm going to take a few of these through a bit of HDR (don't worry, I don't "use" HDR like most) and see if I can get some nice results. I am REALLY enjoying the pics of the badges, they look SO COOL! So much craftsmanship in those little things....largely goes unseen in real life.
//www.flickr.com/photos/54848577@N07/sets/72157625293217126/ (the set of pics)
What type of lens do people use, traditionally, to get these types of photos. I was using my Sonys kit lense, the only lens I have, pushed all the way in for the shallowest DoF possible.
I like the hood retainer post and pin, probably on a mustang? I used to have that early E-type myself, so that full-car view brings back memories; gawd, that car poses well, doesn't it? Nice shots. In general, on the badge shots, you need a little MORE of the DOF, it's not good when part of the badge goes soft.
I tend to use the wide end of my lens, the wider the better for a strong perspective. My favorite shots are detail shots. I think of them as semi-abstracts. Interestingly, I'm not an auto enthusiast at all, but I think that actually helps my photography of them, as I am not looking at the complete object, but rather on the shapes, colors, textures and way the light plays off the surfaces.
I like the hood retainer post and pin, probably on a mustang? I used to have that early E-type myself, so that full-car view brings back memories; gawd, that car poses well, doesn't it? Nice shots. In general, on the badge shots, you need a little MORE of the DOF, it's not good when part of the badge goes soft.
R.
Yeah I was using full manual, and to be honest, I couldn't tell in my viewfinder nor on the LCD if I was getting slight blur. I'm still learning on that....I'd love to be able to know beforehand what lense I needed, what F stop to use, and how far away to stand to get a result.
GREAT TIP!
Yo_Splif (splif, hahah) I love that Vette hood pic...that could be a poster on many a Vette enthusiasts wall!
You can cast your eye over these if you like - they are on my other website - a mixture of Maserati and Ferraris mostly (click on the thumbnails for full size images)
I love shooting cars, it is right up there with the other thing I love to shoot.
I'd rather look at your photos of rather attractive, muscular young men!
LOLOL. I will be sure to shoot some muscular men just for you Sara!
But I do love old cars, their lines are more classic, they show their age well, if parts fall off, you can replace them, they actually have more of a personality than any of my naked men.
Check out Alex Saberis car project, lots of top marques in and around London landmarks. All caught with his usual flair and style, but the great thing is, all off the cuff, nothing posed - I believe he spent a LOT of time shooting this project..
Saberis cars
