First car shoot (my Evo 8)

[99allturbo]

These were all taken with the 50mm 1.8. Lots to learn, but I gave it it shot. C&C welcome. Thanks.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/99allturbo/My%20Evo%208/IMG_0992_2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/99allturbo/My%20Evo%208/IMG_0988_2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/99allturbo/My%20Evo%208/IMG_1012_2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/99allturbo/My%20Evo%208/IMG_0996_3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/99allturbo/My%20Evo%208/IMG_0998_2.jpg

[forno]

I reckon you need to get a Circ Pol for the lens,

I think the last shot is dominated by the grafitti, the one in the garage has a lot of potential and IMO would benefit from a larger crop to get more of the "industrial" feel, I also think the metering was fooled by the reflection of the car, the background looks a little under to me

[99allturbo]

Thanks for the input forno. I'm glad you mentioned a polarizer because I was not sure if that's what I needed to fix the problem I had with most of the pictures I took. Many had a bad glare which is why the first one is dark. I had to bring the brightness down so I don't hurt anyone's eyes.

Thanks again. Will be looking into a polarizer.

[99allturbo]

forno, is this what you mean by a larger crop?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/99allturbo/My%20Evo%208/IMG_0939_3.jpg

[forno]

forno, is this what you meeb by a larger crop?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/99allturbo/My%20Evo%208/IMG_0939_3.jpg


Yeh, I really like that shot:D

Also like the stance on your car looks real tuff:cool: :cool:

[99allturbo]

Thanks forno. That's the original pic (with PP and resized of course). Another lesson learned. I should not have descriminated against my other lenses. I could've used my kit lenses to capture more of the garage. I'm really looking fwd to the next time I shoot. I'm really going to take my time. This shoot was a bit rushed as I had somewhere to go after.

[adam75south]

if only there were a way to keep the reflection on the windows and just get rid of them on the body.

[Sungrazer]

I didn't think a polarizer would help on metallic surfaces?

[Honest Gaza]

I like the first and second shots. In particular, the first. The background has a "slight" out of focus which is good, but still leaves vibrant colours. While the viewer is usually not meant to be looking at the background, I think in this case you were offering this as part of the subject matter, so is acceptable (in my opinion....as unworthy as it may be :) ).

Try some early evening shots (perhaps with cars driving past), so you can capture their taillights "streaking" past in the photo. Also, shine a torch on the car to introduce some nice reflections.

[adam75south]

I didn't think a polarizer would help on metallic surfaces?
eh, that's all plastic anyway. sorry i couldn't find a better example.

[Sungrazer]

Very nice. I got mine in today.

[adam75south]

those are just sample pictures i found. i want one though, about how much are good ones? 77mm.

edit...nm, i see they're around 200.

[99allturbo]

Yeah I was quoted $69 for a single coated Hoya and a multi coated Hoya for $120, 58mm.

Honest, thanks. I know many have expressed the distraction the grafitti is causing, but I thought it was unique (maybe because it's unique here in Orlando Fl), and I like the colors. One of the dissapointments is that I did not have enough dof (or blurred backround, hope I'm explaining that right) on most of the pictures and that's my fault of course. I should've moved the car away form the wall for some of the pictures. Then of course the bad glare was the biggest dissapointment, but it's an experience I can help fix during future shoots.

[Sungrazer]

those are just sample pictures i found. i want one though, about how much are good ones? 77mm.

edit...nm, i see they're around 200.

You probably saw the Hoya I got. In a lot of ways I'm like you, I want the best. The 10-22 is also 77mm, so I got the Pro1, which is ultra thin to avoid vignetting but also accepts a lens cap. Other versions are cheaper. Peter can tell you he's gotten good results without going for all the super multicoating and so forth.

[adam75south]

so now i've been looking on ebay looking for a decent one. i wouldn't mind paying $100 for a used top of the liner.

[cwphoto]

I'm with Gaza - I really like the first one how the b/g is just OOF - nicely done and I agree with the CP comments too. :)

Nice car - every now and then I think seriously about buying one.

[adam75south]

Yeah I was quoted $69 for a single coated Hoya and a multi coated Hoya for $120, 58mm.

Honest, thanks. I know many have expressed the distraction the grafitti is causing, but I thought it was unique (maybe because it's unique here in Orlando Fl), and I like the colors. One of the dissapointments is that I did not have enough dof (or blurred backround, hope I'm explaining that right) on most of the pictures and that's my fault of course. I should've moved the car away form the wall for some of the pictures. Then of course the bad glare was the biggest dissapointment, but it's an experience I can help fix during future shoots.
i like your pictures and the graffiti. the first picture is awesome. the graffiti is only distracting in the other picture where the car is barely in it.

[Honest Gaza]

I'm with Gaza - I really like the first one how the b/g is just OOF -

CW....it's bad enough people in the class think I know something.....now these fools will think I have something to offer ;) :D



TOO MUCH PRESSURE for such a young protege :o

[99allturbo]

Adam-Thank you.

CW, thanks also. Yes you should get one.:D It's a trooper. It has been taking a beating for 3+years now. Pretty quick with the stock turbo. The IX makes power easier with minimal mods than on the VIII. You can't go wrong with either.

[JMWallace]

What a great venue/backdrop to have for a photoshoot of this sort.

As others have said in a different way, just be aware of what the main focus of your shoot is about. In the last shot, the main area of interest became the grafitti.

Not sure if it was intentional or not, but the expression on the grafitti faces helps to make the shot. In this case you not only have to watch your background as a whole, but the content of the background too.

Good job...that looks like it was a lot of fun!!!

[24Peter]

Adam-Thank you.

CW, thanks also. Yes you should get one.:D It's a trooper. It has been taking a beating for 3+years now. Pretty quick with the stock turbo. The IX makes power easier with minimal mods than on the VIII. You can't go wrong with either.

Carlos - these are cool. You found a good environment for your subject. What city are you in?
As far as technical considerations, I think your biggest challenge is that the silver finish on your car creates a huge difference in brightness compared with the surroundings. It's almost like shooting directly at an open window in a dark room. The camera can only handle some much difference between dark and light. Mu suggestion would be to wait until the sky is darker (late afternoon/evening) and then try to find a way to light the background separately. Also - don't shoot on a cloudy day since that can make the sky almost white and your car totally reflects that. (Look at the difference between the rims and body in a couple of those shots.) Polarizer can help for sure with reflections (though you generally have to be off angle 30-60 degress to not see them) but I think managing your light would produce better results. Study car magazine shots. What kind of sky do they shoot under? (Deep blue skies are much darker than overcast skies.)

[aparmley]

Yeah I was quoted $69 for a single coated Hoya and a multi coated Hoya for $120, 58mm.

Honest, thanks. I know many have expressed the distraction the grafitti is causing, but I thought it was unique (maybe because it's unique here in Orlando Fl), and I like the colors. One of the dissapointments is that I did not have enough dof (or blurred backround, hope I'm explaining that right) on most of the pictures and that's my fault of course. I should've moved the car away form the wall for some of the pictures. Then of course the bad glare was the biggest dissapointment, but it's an experience I can help fix during future shoots.

Carlos, shoot your car how you want to shoot your car brother - I loved seeing the graffitti in the background. Blurring out the detail of the graffitti would have defeated the purpose of having that as a back drop to begin with. It reminded me of shots out of Super Street Mag. Every one will share their opinion with you and its up to you to hear it, assess it, learn from it, dismiss it maybe, but, by all means don't immediately agree with it. We're all a bunch of wackos anyway, right?

IMHO (focusing on the photographer and not the images) You have a solid first set here. I'm sure you learned a lot this time out. Sure, you have room to improve - but don't think thats because you didn't have enough DOF or background blur, its because you have room to grow as a photographer. My only advice is when shooting slow down, think more, vary your angles, think about DOF, consider your backgrounds, consider the angle of light, take your time.

Love the car bro! Keep it up.

Ok you want my spin. . . I want detail shots, get in there close. I'm also a fan of the carscape shots you know, the cityscape sunset scene with your car centerstage, etc etc. . .

[99allturbo]

What a great venue/backdrop to have for a photoshoot of this sort.

As others have said in a different way, just be aware of what the main focus of your shoot is about. In the last shot, the main area of interest became the grafitti.

Not sure if it was intentional or not, but the expression on the grafitti faces helps to make the shot. In this case you not only have to watch your background as a whole, but the content of the background too.

Good job...that looks like it was a lot of fun!!!

Thanks! You know the last pic was not meant to focus on the wall, but during PP, I realized the wall took over the picture, but I didn't mind it. I was ok with my car being in the corner. I love the colors and the quality of the grafitti. I was impressed, since this is not an art you see everyday, even less in Orlando, FL. Thanks again.

[truflip]

very nice shots!
very nice car :)

be careful when to use your CPL.
some shots look better without it since the car will look shinier
but for those shots where u want it nice and stealthy and 'soft'
its probably best to to use the CPL to reduce reflections.

I have a black pearl car so maybe its a bit different but its the same concept :)

drive safe! :cool:

[99allturbo]

Carlos - these are cool. You found a good environment for your subject. What city are you in?

I'm in Orlando, Florida.


As far as technical considerations, I think your biggest challenge is that the silver finish on your car creates a huge difference in brightness compared with the surroundings. It's almost like shooting directly at an open window in a dark room. The camera can only handle some much difference between dark and light. Mu suggestion would be to wait until the sky is darker (late afternoon/evening) and then try to find a way to light the background separately. Also - don't shoot on a cloudy day since that can make the sky almost white and your car totally reflects that. (Look at the difference between the rims and body in a couple of those shots.) Polarizer can help for sure with reflections (though you generally have to be off angle 30-60 degress to not see them) but I think managing your light would produce better results. Study car magazine shots. What kind of sky do they shoot under? (Deep blue skies are much darker than overcast skies.)


Agreed. I am happy with the pics, but I was pretty dissapointed with the glare on the car windows and body. I'd still like to get a polarizer for these bright sunny days, but I have also been told that it may be better to shoot during the later afternoon or very early morning, before the sun rises. I was out at about 9am so the sun was beaming.

I think a great idea would be to bring some car mags with me to get ideas, but try to be original as well.


Carlos, shoot your car how you want to shoot your car brother - I loved seeing the graffitti in the background. Blurring out the detail of the graffitti would have defeated the purpose of having that as a back drop to begin with. It reminded me of shots out of Super Street Mag. Every one will share their opinion with you and its up to you to hear it, assess it, learn from it, dismiss it maybe, but, by all means don't immediately agree with it. We're all a bunch of wackos anyway, right?

Thanks for the support. Def gotta shoot what I like, and aside form the obvious (lighting issue) I like the pictures. As to the 1st pic, you're right and as others mentioned, the wall/grafitti was oof just enough. If I would've stopped down, it may have not looked as good. Car would've been in focus, but wall may have been to blurred. And, I don't mind all you wackos. I appreciate all the feedback.

IMHO (focusing on the photographer and not the images) You have a solid first set here. I'm sure you learned a lot this time out. Sure, you have room to improve - but don't think thats because you didn't have enough DOF or background blur, its because you have room to grow as a photographer. My only advice is when shooting slow down, think more, vary your angles, think about DOF, consider your backgrounds, consider the angle of light, take your time.

The unfortunate thing was I didn't have alot of time to do this. I had plans and that made me work a bit fast. Not next time. I will make sure I have the whole day, even night to take pics if I wanted to. This was a good experience for sure and I enjoyed ever minute of it (the wife was with me too and was a good assistant/advisor).

Ok you want my spin. . . I want detail shots, get in there close. I'm also a fan of the carscape shots you know, the cityscape sunset scene with your car centerstage, etc etc. . .

Definitely, I can't believe I didn't take any interior pics, engine pics, etc. I didn't get many rear pics that I was happy with but I did take some. Man I was slacking! I can't wait for the next session.

I'd like to do it this weekend,but I'm heading to Miami to visit family and I'm taking some portraits of my newborn niece and nephew. Should be fun.

Thanks again all

[99allturbo]

very nice shots!
very nice car :)

be careful when to use your CPL.
some shots look better without it since the car will look shinier
but for those shots where u want it nice and stealthy and 'soft'
its probably best to to use the CPL to reduce reflections.

I have a black pearl car so maybe its a bit different but its the same concept :)

drive safe! :cool:

Thanks, I think I may first go out and shoot the car again at a different time of the day before I spend the money on the CPL.

[99allturbo]

Added 2 rear pics. Not sure why the first one is showing as a link. Also removed 2.

[aparmley]

Added 2 rear pics. Not sure why the first one is showing as a link. Also removed 2.

Ok see - I'm loving the feeling in no 3. and like adam, I can't sleep thinking about how no 4 would look if it was shot in portrait orientation and tight-tight. ;) (food for thought)

mmm (dying for a little more car had it been taken portrait)
http://parmley.smugmug.com/photos/132828600-L.jpg