Armin’s Quick and Dirty Tips and Tricks to Automotive Photography

[fujiwara_yingyu]

Originally Posted by j4mesoffury

Did you use a flash on these? I like these shots.

Not at all.Thanks, man.

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[Saleen326]

Okay, finally edited my pictures from the last few weeks. Here are my latest additions and as always, let me know where I can improve and where it looks like I'm doing things right. Thanks.


DSC_0007 by Saleen326, on Flickr


DSC_0025 2 by Saleen326, on Flickr


DSC_0035 by Saleen326, on Flickr

[Jive Turkey]

no photo but little teaser it put together. first time doing film ever. let me know what you think. full video coming in a week or so...

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

[Verdugo]

Originally Posted by INKMAN

Finally got a chance to really play with the new 85mm. What do you think so far
Armin?

Looks pretty good, the 85mm is treating you well. It's not the best background in the world, but workable. I'd say your photo needs a tad more contrast, since there aren't really any true blacks and the color lacks some punch. Composition is good and there's no real distractions in the frame!

[Verdugo]

Originally Posted by fujiwara_yingyu

How do you think these two, Armin? Need some ideas, please.

What kind of ideas are you looking for? It's really hard to judge these types of photos since it's like event coverage...you don't really have too much control over the cars and their pose in the photo. The small aperture with long shutter made some cool star effects from the ambient lighting, but I think you need even more exposure in the first shot since the car's still pretty dark. I also don't like how both photos are pretty much centered...even the row of Evos is rather centered in the frame in the second shot.

[Verdugo]

Originally Posted by Saleen326

Okay, finally edited my pictures from the last few weeks. Here are my latest additions and as always, let me know where I can improve and where it looks like I'm doing things right. Thanks.

Nice backgrounds on your first two shots. I prefer the first one simply because the grey overcast skies in the second one lack detail in the clouds. Compositionally, I would probably adjust my angle toward the car so it didn't look like the rear passenger tire was touching the front driver's side tire. The car's dimensions are a little different though, so I'm not sure how well you'd be able to pull that off.

The last photo looks like you're slightly left (passenger side) of center, since I can see more of the sidemarkers on that side than on the other. I don't like the garage background quite as much simply because we've got the nice forest background in the other shots.

Overall the exposures look good, but I probably would've maybe gone with a tiny bit warmer white balance overall and a little more saturation as well.

[fujiwara_yingyu]

^Ok, I got it. Thanks.

[Verdugo]

Originally Posted by Jive Turkey

no photo but little teaser it put together. first time doing film ever. let me know what you think. full video coming in a week or so...

Video is a totally different entity entirely...I'm definitely no expert in that field. However, I have done my fair share of video, and in fact I got started doing video back in middle school and high school before I ever picked up any sort of still camera. Thus, I can tell you one thing for sure...

I stress a tripod with photography, but it is an absolute necessity beyond anything else when it comes to video. Your video's pretty shaky in just about every scene, which is definitely a no-no unless you're trying to do a Cloverfield-type movie. There's a good reason why the video guys who shoot next to me on track wear stability vests, have huge booms, and even build tracks for their dollies to roll on. Stability is king in videography.

[Verdugo]

Well guys, I finally added my first revision to my original post on this thread! Check it out here:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...15&postcount=1

I've got some other surprises coming up too.

[INKMAN]

Great write up Armin. I'm a little surprised you left out a section about the polarizer!!

[coldmm803]

Originally Posted by INKMAN

Great write up Armin. I'm a little surprised you left out a section about the polarizer!!

Nope, it is in post #2

Armin, update looks good. I look forward to seeing the rest of it.

I'd like to see a comment/section on cropping photos and how the more you crop the lower the image quality/sharpness will be. It is basic and obvious when you think about it but for beginners or for me at least, it wasn't something I thought about.

I'd like to read through this entire thread again, cause I know there are a lot of good sections mixed in and things that UL pointed out or just provided a different point of view.

[INKMAN]

Oh yeah. I forgot about that. I only read the first post on my phone.

[Verdugo]

Originally Posted by coldmm803

Nope, it is in post #2

Armin, update looks good. I look forward to seeing the rest of it.

I'd like to see a comment/section on cropping photos and how the more you crop the lower the image quality/sharpness will be. It is basic and obvious when you think about it but for beginners or for me at least, it wasn't something I thought about.

I'd like to read through this entire thread again, cause I know there are a lot of good sections mixed in and things that UL pointed out or just provided a different point of view.

Good call! I'll definitely add that at some point...it might fall into "post processing" which is something that I don't really touch on in the quick and dirty tips, so I might talk about that in one of the "surprises" I referred to

[Verdugo]

Next set of revisions is up!

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...17&postcount=2

[coldmm803]

I checked out post 2 and have started looking through the rest of the thread.

A couple suggestions:
Under "Use your equipment properly" update $8000 Canon EOS 1D Mark III or a $5000 Nikon D2Xs to newer models ($6000 Nikon D4, $3300 Nikon D800E, $6800 Canon EOS 1D X). I understand the point your making and model numbers don't matter but its an easy change. Also, adding a decent photo from a point and shoot could be nice. You can grab a shot from my Lime Rock set (if you don't have something), they were taken with a higher end Sony (DSC-h9) http://www.flickr.com/photos/5054088...th/4670329078/
PM me if you want a link or jpeg.

Under Tripod, you can add that using a tripod helps to slow down the process, think through settings and focus more on surrounding details (good and bad).

Also, I saw this post about lens selection. I don't know if you plan to add it but a link at least wouldn't hurt. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...&postcount=216

[assasain]

Yet another EXCELLENT write up! You have taught me so much already in a few short months.

[Verdugo]

Originally Posted by coldmm803

I checked out post 2 and have started looking through the rest of the thread.

A couple suggestions:
Under "Use your equipment properly" update $8000 Canon EOS 1D Mark III or a $5000 Nikon D2Xs to newer models ($6000 Nikon D4, $3300 Nikon D800E, $6800 Canon EOS 1D X). I understand the point your making and model numbers don't matter but its an easy change. Also, adding a decent photo from a point and shoot could be nice. You can grab a shot from my Lime Rock set (if you don't have something), they were taken with a higher end Sony (DSC-h9) http://www.flickr.com/photos/5054088...th/4670329078/
PM me if you want a link or jpeg.

Under Tripod, you can add that using a tripod helps to slow down the process, think through settings and focus more on surrounding details (good and bad).

Also, I saw this post about lens selection. I don't know if you plan to add it but a link at least wouldn't hurt. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...&postcount=216

Great ideas! I might reserve the lens thing for the "surprise" but I'll definitely dig up some good P&S photos that I've taken to go along with the thread.

[INKMAN]

Gave it some more contrast. Good call, the color looks way better and stands out now.

[Verdugo]

Originally Posted by INKMAN

Gave it some more contrast. Good call, the color looks way better and stands out now.

Definitely a lot better. Have you tried doing any multiple polarizations yet?

[INKMAN]

No, not yet. I don't have a tri pod and when my old computer crashed I lost my PS CS5 and I can't find out where to download it and put in my serial number.

[xluben]

I've done quite a few hand held. "Align Layers" in Photoshop seems to work very well.

[INKMAN]

Unfortunately me not having my PS kinda kills that idea.

[Verdugo]

Final revision is up, including a short line about the "surprise!"

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...17&postcount=2

[Acingteam]

Hey guys, long time no see! lol. Sorry, I've been absent for so long... But I picked up a compact system camera, Olympus E-PM1 with 14-42mm kit lens. Here's what I was able to come up with on the first try

[Verdugo]

Originally Posted by Acingteam

Hey guys, long time no see! lol. Sorry, I've been absent for so long... But I picked up a compact system camera, Olympus E-PM1 with 14-42mm kit lens. Here's what I was able to come up with on the first try

That camera looks pretty impressive Did you happen to take any without the lights on?