- Fri May 18, 2007 2:35 pm
#8256
Some things to think about when shooting pics of your car...
1. Ideal times are sunrise or sunset. this will minimize harsh shadows, increase color saturation, and offer more dramatic lighting. And be sure to be on the same side as your source of light (the sun), so you are not shooting the dark side of your car in front of a light background.
2. If you shoot in the dark- use a tripod!
3. For long exposures on a tripod, consider using a remote, or using the camera's timer function. Some times even pushing the shutter button with your finger can slightly vibrate the camera body which can cause slight blur or fuzzyness.
4. Don't shoot with your flash! It will give horrible highlights and shadows, especially at night. A tripod will eliminate the need for a flash.
5. Look at your background before you shoot. In a parking lot for example, things in the background can be very distracting. Some of these include: other vehicles, people, trash on the ground, dumpsters, fences. A cleaner background will set more focus on your car.
6. Also be aware of what is reflecting on your car's paint, especially noticeable on black vehicles! If you are parked beside another car, it will be visible in your paint and distract.
Setting your camera manually:
7. Bracket shots. This means when taking a pic, also take one with a slightly higher and one with a slightly lower exposure. This is extra insurance just in case the highlights are washed out, or the shadows under exposed.
8. Adjust your camera to a lower ISO setting. Especially if you have a tripod. Lower ISO will give you less grain in your photograph. However a lower ISO also requires a longer exposure. So if you are shooting without much light and no tripod (not recommended) you may need to use a higher ISO.
9. A higher F-Stop will give you a longer depth of field. This means more objects in the foreground/background of your vehicle will be in focus. A higher F-stop will also require a longer exposure.
10. Generally, if you are shooting at a shutter speed less than 1/125, you will want a tripod. If you have a steady hand, or something to lean on, you can get away with 1/60.
1. Ideal times are sunrise or sunset. this will minimize harsh shadows, increase color saturation, and offer more dramatic lighting. And be sure to be on the same side as your source of light (the sun), so you are not shooting the dark side of your car in front of a light background.
2. If you shoot in the dark- use a tripod!
3. For long exposures on a tripod, consider using a remote, or using the camera's timer function. Some times even pushing the shutter button with your finger can slightly vibrate the camera body which can cause slight blur or fuzzyness.
4. Don't shoot with your flash! It will give horrible highlights and shadows, especially at night. A tripod will eliminate the need for a flash.
5. Look at your background before you shoot. In a parking lot for example, things in the background can be very distracting. Some of these include: other vehicles, people, trash on the ground, dumpsters, fences. A cleaner background will set more focus on your car.
6. Also be aware of what is reflecting on your car's paint, especially noticeable on black vehicles! If you are parked beside another car, it will be visible in your paint and distract.
Setting your camera manually:
7. Bracket shots. This means when taking a pic, also take one with a slightly higher and one with a slightly lower exposure. This is extra insurance just in case the highlights are washed out, or the shadows under exposed.
8. Adjust your camera to a lower ISO setting. Especially if you have a tripod. Lower ISO will give you less grain in your photograph. However a lower ISO also requires a longer exposure. So if you are shooting without much light and no tripod (not recommended) you may need to use a higher ISO.
9. A higher F-Stop will give you a longer depth of field. This means more objects in the foreground/background of your vehicle will be in focus. A higher F-stop will also require a longer exposure.
10. Generally, if you are shooting at a shutter speed less than 1/125, you will want a tripod. If you have a steady hand, or something to lean on, you can get away with 1/60.
Do Not PM me your technical questions. Post them in the forum!
My 1992 SOHC Turbo Hatch
My Youtube Channel: 6th Gear Garage
My 1992 SOHC Turbo Hatch
My Youtube Channel: 6th Gear Garage