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CLASSIC CAR RESOURCES AND LINKS
How
to Photograph Your Classic Car
Achieving
good photographs of your classic car is not difficult. The
difference between good pictures and bland pictures is knowing
a few simple tricks, and taking the time to do it well.
- WASH
THE CAR!
A clean car looks far better in a picture than a dirty one.
Take the time to clean and dry the car, to clean the windows,
& dress the tires. Make sure that there aren't any water
spots. This is the single most important thing that you
can do.
-
CHOOSE YOUR SETTING
Where you photograph your car will make a big impact on
how the pictures look. Try to find a setting that will make
your car stand out. For example, a red car in a sea of green
grass will jump out at you, whereas a white car against
a light colored stone wall will get lost. A dramatic setting
will make your car look great, and will make for a dramatic
photo.
-
ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
When shooting the car, look for things in the frame that
are distracting you from the car. Is there a telephone pole
growing out of the roof? Is there an object in the background
that draws your eye away from the subject? Patrol the area
you are shooting for debris, such as trash, leaves, or sticks.
-
UNCONVENTIONAL ANGLES
Avoid the temptation to just take the picture from eye level.
Try shooting up at a low angle, which will exaggerate the
proportions a bit, and make your car seem more impressive.
Another trick is to use a step ladder and shoot down on
the car, giving a sort of bird's eye view.
-
WIDE ANGLE LENSES
The use of a wide angle lens, or by zooming your camera's
built in lens to its widest setting, is a great aid to car
photography. By using a wide angle and getting in close,
you get a different perspective. The area closest to the
camera will seem larger than normal, while the area furthest
from the camera will seem farther away. By using this technique
when shooting automobiles, it can really make the car jump
out of the frame. A wide angle lens is also particularly
useful at concours events and car shows, where there is
not a lot of room to maneuver, and you want to get close
to the car to eliminate people and other distractions.
-
POLARIZER
If your camera allows the use of filters, buy a polarizer.
A polarizer is quite simply one of the most indispensable
tools any photographer can have. A polarizer eliminates
glare and reflections, increases color saturation, and can
improve contrast. Your car, with all its chrome, glass,
and shiny paint, is like a magnet for reflections. By using
a polarizer, you can control the reflections, either eliminating
them completely, or using them to your artistic advantage.
-
WHEN TO SHOOT
While you can certainly shoot your car at any time, the
best light is typically found just after sunrise, or just
before sunset. As the sun "travels across the sky"
the lighting direction changes relative to your subject.
Not only does the lighting direction change throughout the
day, but the color changes as well, from cool before sunrise
to warm just after sunrise to neutral at midday to warmer
near sunset to cooler after sunset. Night shots of cars
can also be very dramatic, particularly if you have the
vehicle in a setting with interesting lighting (neon lights,
gas station, lighted signs, etc.)
-
LIGHTS ON?
When you're shooting, try turning the parking lights on,
maybe even the headlights if it's just before dusk, just
to add a little drama to your photos.
The
most important rule to remember when doing photography is
that there are no rules! The best pictures are typically a
result of experimenting. Film is relatively cheap (and digital
photography is practically free!), so shoot lots of pictures
to get a few really good photos.
See
also:
Helpful
Information
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