OK. Here is my first attempt of taking a picture of my car. What do you think? I think its pretty good but I know it can be better. Anyone got any good tips that will make this picture great? Also, anyone know a good way to get the shot without the reflection of the sky on the windshield?
a polarizing filter will take care of the reflection. I think you'll find the warm light of dawn or dusk to enrich the photo far beyond what looks to be mid-afternoon.
If you are trying to take an artsy approach, try to get low angles (a wide angle lens helps) and focus on the just the more interesting features instead of the car as a whole. It's also fun to shoot reflections on the car, try a long exposure at night.
Eric, get a multicoated circular polarizing filter. Don't get the cheap polarizers, get something like the Hoya Super HMC Circular polarizer, these run at around US$172 for a 77mm size.
try turning the front wheels out it tends to give the car a more dynamic look, shooting at or below headlight level also adds to the look
there is too much shadow under the car making the bottom edge disappear
Here's an example from my PT&A outtakes for discussion purposes...
This is a straight shot with the kit lens- no cropping, USM or other adjustments (it's a little dark). Shooting a low angle from the front fender is a good way to emphasize the strength of a car (a bit more head-on would have been better, but I was avoiding a Volvo parked behind this one). I like to crop in a little- when you show the whole car, it's hard to avoid looking like a dealer ad. I shot this in the early evening shade. Note how the window glare is controlled (even without a polarizer), but there's still enough light in the sky to provide good reflections in the paint. Hope that helps.
This first attempt was very good, but you have got some good hints to make it even better.
You also might want to try not having such a dark background, it blends a bit in, IMHO I don't like it because the car it self is so nice, I would like him standing out a bit more.
And if you get lower/closer, turn the wheels and get rid of the reflectiond you got your self a poster.
Answer these, then take a picture that enhances the first or meets the second goal.
Look at other pictures in a similar vein, that are used perhaps for the same purpose that you have for this shot. Try copying them at first then make it your own - change things around.
