Shooting motorcycles

[Fiat124Spider]

OK, so longer exposures doesn't really replace the flash. I thought because these objects are still objects to photograph I could avoid my flash. Hmm intersting.

Thanks
Thomas

[cyber3d]

You know, you don't really have to use a flash IMHO. It looks like you prefer to use natural lighting. And if that's your style then cool. It's your exposure that makes me wonder - everything looks "too" dark. The nice texture of the metal and paint gets lost. You have a tripod for longer exposure? Do you preview your exposure in camera?

If you want to try to make your images look more "commercial" you can use LED strip lighting specifically to get sparkling highlights (not for overall exposure). Use fill cards (large sheets of foamcore will do.

But, it looks to me like you want to achieve more of an artistic look rather than commercial/product look.

[Fiat124Spider]

Originally Posted by cyber3d

You know, you don't really have to use a flash IMHO. It looks like you prefer to use natural lighting. And if that's your style then cool.Yes I do prefer to shoot with natural light. Also because shooting with flash makes it much harder for me as I don't really comprehend this matter yet ;-) It's your exposure that makes me wonder - everything looks "too" dark. The nice texture of the metal and paint gets lost. You have a tripod for longer exposure?
Euh yes...I think so. I thought every tripod is good for long exposure. I have a Velbon Sherpa 250

Do you preview your exposure in camera? Is that the preview where you see the highlights flashing when it's washed away buy the light? I don't think I did back then , sorry can't remember. But if I do I sometimes get dark areas and blinking areas which brings me to a situation where I can't determine whether to choose for a bit overexposed or rather underexposed pictures I'm always afraid my pictures would be ruined when they are overexposed. Hence the darker results.

If you want to try to make your images look more "commercial" you can use LED strip lighting specifically to get sparkling highlights (not for overall exposure). Use fill cards (large sheets of foamcore will do. Hey good idea and cheap too! Do you mean I have to bounce the led lights on the fill cards for softer effects?

But, it looks to me like you want to achieve more of an artistic look rather than commercial/product look.

Well yes I think it's much more interesting -both commercial as for myself- to first create my own style and really get a grip on this type of photography and then maybe look to go for commercial

[Fiat124Spider]

Forgot to add. I'll shoot the bikes next week again in the same situation (my garage :-)) with your tips and post the results soon after.

[cyber3d]

Ahhh, here is the thing to do .... bracket your exposure when you shoot. -1, 0, +1, +2, +3

Also, DO use your tripod. It is good practice for you.

Look up (for your camera) how to "preview exposure." Different camera brands use different settings to preview exposure.

[edbayani]

nice shot of the fuel tank. maybe the bsa logo should be sharper.

[Fiat124Spider]

Wow this is getting interesting! Great great great!!
Ok bracketing is a thing I've already tried and some are good some are sh....:-)

When I start bracketing I don't know where to set my 0 (position where I take the first shot). Is that where you think exposure is ok or where its too bright or just the opposite, too dark? I always put my camera in A (aperture priority) and let the camera choose which shutter time to use according to my Fstop which in this case would be F2.8 or 4.

[Fiat124Spider]

Thanks a lot! what a relief somebody likes it (apart from myself and my wife who's very polite haha ;-)