Try to do it on an overcast day and early in the day when there aren't hordes of people around the cars. How do I know... I have ooodles of photos with very harsh lighting and tons of people I would like to remove from the images.
Try to do it on an overcast day and early in the day when there aren't hordes of people around the cars. How do I know... I have ooodles of photos with very harsh lighting and tons of people I would like to remove from the images.
Best of luck to you.
RAy
Very good advice;) I shoot in the morning & use a wide angle lens, fill flash for shadows on the cars.
One more thing... if you can catch them driving into town or leaving town it's even better because the hoods will be closed on the cars. To me it gives the image a more vintage feel. But that's just me....lol
Tell me, besides the shows themselves (the driving into town is a great idea I think), if you were able to set up pictures of vintage or show cars, what would your choice of location be? A park? A big empty parking lot? A country road? What works best?
I'm asking because my neighbour (retired) is a very good detailer. He details mainly high end cars (repeat customers), but also vintage and show cars. He and I would like to take good pictures of the cars once they're ready, but my pictures are not working. Partly it's location, there are a lot of poles, cables, stone walls and other distractions where I live. I've been trying to "scout" for a good location to take these cars to and make pictures, but I'm somewhat at a loss about it. Everywhere I can think of there are so many reflections: trees, roads, buildings, rocks, mountains, whatever. Also, the different colours seem to work so differently - a white car acts totally different than a red car. Also, there seems to be a big light difference between chrome and painted areas, more so in dark cars.
Places that fit with the cars era and always make interesting backdrops. For example old cinemas, gas stations, warehouses, drive-in theatres, etc. When you're out and about keep an eye out for places like these. Make mental notes of where sun and shadows will be at different times of the days. If you are able to place your cars such that you can eliminate distractions, you can find many places that will work.
Also reflections can work for you if you want to do some more artistic types of photos.
I don't know much about technical stuff, but would an off camera flash angled so there's no bounce back work? How about long exposures prior to sunrise and after sunset?
You probably already know this, but watch the chrome or you'll end up with self-portraits all over your photo.
Tell me, besides the shows themselves (the driving into town is a great idea I think), if you were able to set up pictures of vintage or show cars, what would your choice of location be? A park? A big empty parking lot? A country road? What works best?
I would pick a country road or an old town, but you know what, I thought you were shooting a town car show.
I'm asking because my neighbour (retired) is a very good detailer. He details mainly high end cars (repeat customers), but also vintage and show cars. He and I would like to take good pictures of the cars once they're ready, but my pictures are not working. Partly it's location, there are a lot of poles, cables, stone walls and other distractions where I live. I've been trying to "scout" for a good location to take these cars to and make pictures, but I'm somewhat at a loss about it. Everywhere I can think of there are so many reflections: trees, roads, buildings, rocks, mountains, whatever. Also, the different colours seem to work so differently - a white car acts totally different than a red car. Also, there seems to be a big light difference between chrome and painted areas, more so in dark cars.
Tell me, besides the shows themselves (the driving into town is a great idea I think), if you were able to set up pictures of vintage or show cars, what would your choice of location be? A park? A big empty parking lot? A country road? What works best?
I would pick a country road or an old town, but you know what, I thought you were shooting a town car show.
I'm asking because my neighbour (retired) is a very good detailer. He details mainly high end cars (repeat customers), but also vintage and show cars. He and I would like to take good pictures of the cars once they're ready, but my pictures are not working. Partly it's location, there are a lot of poles, cables, stone walls and other distractions where I live. I've been trying to "scout" for a good location to take these cars to and make pictures, but I'm somewhat at a loss about it. Everywhere I can think of there are so many reflections: trees, roads, buildings, rocks, mountains, whatever. Also, the different colours seem to work so differently - a white car acts totally different than a red car. Also, there seems to be a big light difference between chrome and painted areas, more so in dark cars.
Sounds like you need a really big studio...
Anyway.
Thanks again for the input! :)
Sorry, it wasn't my intention to deceive you. I was thinking of both. My neighbour enters his own car into shows, and I've been going to a couple and plan to go to more. But mainly at the moment I was thinking of individual cars as they get done.
You need lots and lots patience at car shows, it's pretty much a guarantee that the instant you have your photo composed someone will walk into the frame. Hence, Connie's wide angle suggestion.
I always try to shoot "low", and for crowd control, I'm usually with one or more people so we all kinda run interference for each other, I've actually asked people if they could wait till the shot was "done", nicely of course with a great big smile. : }
And don't be afraid to ask folks if they wouldn't mind closing their hoods/trunks/doors...they're usually real happy to get nice pictures taken of their masterpieces and will tell you everything you'd ever want to know about it if you let them!
You need lots and lots patience at car shows, it's pretty much a guarantee that the instant you have your photo composed someone will walk into the frame.
As well as in the reflections. Major shows will have TONS of people. Mile High Nationals are this weekend here in Denver. There will be mega amounts people...I'll bet.
