Car Photography

[Juanch]

Hi,

Was recently asked to test drive a p-up & submit photos for their press release. Having no experience in car photography, I had a bit of difficulty composing shots so I would like some tips for future assignments.

The p-up was a 4x4 and photos are suppose to show its durability & power to attract the attention of the weekend travelers.

Here are some shots I took when I drove it on the rugged mountains of the Philippines.

Tips, tips, tips please...thanks!







More photos at http://juanch.multiply.com/photos/al..._Trip_Kalinga#

[OsmosisStudios]

Youve done a good job, though I find both the first and last are lacking contrast. The first needs to be underexposed about 2/3 of a stop, the last just needs some contrast adjustments.

[jdepould]

Were you restricted to the vertical composition? Cars (and trucks) are very horizontal things, and it's much easier to fill a horizontal frame. The last one is starting to say something, but you need to find a better angle, and having a silver truck didn't help. If it were yellow, red or blue, there would be no question about it being the visual center, but silver just recedes into the background.

Try to think about layering, and managing the foreground, middleground and background. Again the third image is approaching something interesting, because you've got some foreground elements, and the truck in the background, but you're not managing them well enough. Everything needs to be intentional. Find some more interesting foliage, or a good rock or something interesting for the foreground.

Also, try getting down lower, you're shooting very much at eye-level. It doesn't project any of that sense of dominance or toughness you see in 4x4 ads.

Exhibit A:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/f150raptor/

It's a composite, but the principles are the same. Camera low to the ground, wide angle to exaggerate the size of the vehicle, good action, foreground/background control, etc.

Exhibit B:

http://www.beyond.ca/tag/ford-raptor

Practical, not composite. Notice the foreground, you can see how low the camera is. The shrubbery gives a little bit of something, so the foreground isn't totally empty, and they don't distract from the main center of visual interest (the truck). This approach is a little bit different, as they used a long lens (probably 70-200) and got farther away. This gave them really shallow DoF (but they stopped down to get the whole truck sharp), and flattened everything out. The truck clearly dominates the frame, and there's great action.

[Juanch]

Thanks guys for your very informative tips... wasn't really constrained to a vertical composition.. I guess I was too distracted in trying to show more of the terrain where the truck was (thus the high angle of the shots as well). You are absolutely right, Jaime.. looking at my other shots, low angle does make the truck bigger and gives it a sence of dominance & power.

Again many thanks! I truly appreciate the comments..

[FoG]

From the pics I like (as I am no Pro) I would say most vehicles look best at Front 3/4 angle and then work from there as the action shots above show action also try the practical side a workman loading it etc Towing ? do some research into the vehicle target market for ideas see who uses them near yourself.

For added effect take it out of it's comfort Zone I saw a guy in a suit briefaces and all getting in one once and took a shot it was very good as stood out from the crowd of BMW;s around him also shouted Cool

(UK where I am P.up's not usually used).. add to the drama by using darkness and lights etc etc... ACK now I want a Pick-up to give you some ideas !!!

[wulf]

One thing to ask yourself (and this will work far beyond the scope of car photography) is "what story am I wanting to tell". In the examples Jamie posted, the framing story seems to be "this is a rugged beast of a vehicle, able to power across inhospitable landscapes". I think the first of those images works better because, as well as including the pickup as a the dominant dynamic element in the frame, it gives more context - wide open desert and empty sky. In particular, the fact you can see the sky under the wheels emphasises the idea of powering over the landscape.

In the original shots, I think the first, in the classic 3/4 view, has most potential. It makes me think of peace and tranquility and the vehicle as a means for getting there. I'd have wanted a slightly higher angle, so the car is safely under the level of the hill in the background (better contrast - the top point of the windscreen seems a little bit close to the sky to me) and also a less over-exposed sky. A subtle combination of two or more exposures might yield the best overall result so you don't loose details in the shadows while still capturing the sky (and reflecting it in the bonnet). That would be a much less aggressive display of power but I think would be quite effective.

Wulf

[maxharvard]

You have to change the angles up.

[Juanch]

Wow! Thank you so much for your comments... I'm very pleased I joined DPS...