Cars are interesting subjects for photography.
Even though taking a nice and clear shot of a car may seem simple, it isn’t easy to capture the design details of the car. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned photographer, photographing a car in all its grandeur can be a little challenging.
The good news is, a few simple tweaks can help you capture perfect images of cars. In this article, we are going to take a look at these in details.
Use the Right Equipment
While iPhone cameras are being revered for the high quality of pictures that they produce, it is always advisable to use a camera that can shoot perfectly in a wide range of conditions.
A DSLR or a good compact camera are perfectly capable for the job. You would also need a sturdy tripod to eliminate any scope of camera shake.
Scout for a Good Location
The location of the shoot should match the theme of the car. It is not always necessary to choose a natural setting. A brick wall may do just fine provided it is relevant to the theme.
The car you wish to photograph will determine the perfect setting for the photo shoot. For example, a car designed for racing may not match a grassy location.
While choosing a location, ensure that the setting does not steal the attention from the car. The setting should essentially improve the appeal of the car. You can choose between a natural setting or a studio to highlight the attractiveness of the car. Ensure that there are no unnecessary items like dustbins, other cars, power lines etc. in the background.
That being said, it is important to take into account the reflections on the car. A polished surface is quite likely to reflect any junk in the setting that you may have removed from the set. This can kill your photos if not addressed.
Choose the Right Time of the Day
Natural light is one of the best lighting options for your car photo shoot. The best time to shoot is just before sunset or right after sunrise. The quality and intensity of light during these times is the best to show off the magnificence of the car. Also, this removes scopes of bright reflections and hard shadows.
Shooting at night can also be an interesting option. However, you need to ensure that the moonlight or streetlights do not ruin the image. You can illuminate the car the way you want to capture a great shot.
Capture the Details
Shots of the entire car punctuated with pictures capturing the small details of the car can turn out to be quite rewarding. Consider the primary design features of the cars. You can highlight these in some of the shots. These details could be pertaining to both, the interior as well as the exterior of the car.
Take a good look around. You can consider focusing on the bodywork, wheels, manufacturer’s badge, mirror, dashboard etc. for some of the pictures. Ensure that these are effectively illuminated during the shot.
Panning
An important part of car photography is to capture the car in motion. The panning technique involves shooting the car in motion. The car should be in focus and the background should be blurred. This technique can be a little difficult to master.
As the car moves in speed, you would need to move the camera in line with this motion while taking the shot. You can accomplish this by two methods. You can take this shot from a hand-held standing point or shoot the car from another vehicle that is moving at the same speed as that of the car to be shot and in line with it.
Get Creative
Experimenting with your shots can produce some wonderful images of the car. It is always recommended to take pictures from different angles and in various camera settings to get some interesting images of the car.
You can shoot from above or from the ground to capture unusual views of the car. You can consider zooming in or out depending on the kind of shot you wish to take.
These tips will help you get the best shot of your car. That being said, it is always recommended to get your basics right.
Contributed by: gulfphotoplus.com
