1. Introduction:
If you have just picked up a camera for the
first time, or have been taking pictures for years, the information
contained in this guide will ensure that you do not overlook anything
as you frame and shoot that picture. Taking your photographs to the
next level, by using a few computer tools, no special filters, and
free clip art, we will walk you through the steps to create a picture
like the one on the cover of this book as easy as 1-2-3.
When
displaying your vehicle at a show, enthusiasts like yourself pay close
attention to every detail down to the shine on the bolts to ensure that
the automobile is perfect. The end quality of your pictures is dependent
upon your attention to details. Whenever we take a photograph for a
client and create their unique art we do exactly the same. Starting
with the right photograph is key and we will provide some often
overlooked aspects of automotive photography. Remember that you must
start with the right photograph in order to obtain good and even great
results
2. Digital Photography Basics For Automobiles:
There
are two assumptions made here. The first is, that you are interested in
color photography and the second is that you have read your camera
owners manual and understand the features and capabilities at least at a
basic level. With that said the intent of this guide is to help you
get started with taking photographs and getting the best possible
results. Before we continue, there is one thing often overlooked until
it is too late that will ruin a great photograph. Shut off the date and
time stamp feature. You can be sure that it will always take away from
the picture or be in the wrong place where no amount of editing can
account for it.
The focus here is to start with the best of
everything possible and use your camera to the fullest. This does not
mean that you need to spend $2000 on a camera and special lenses, but it
does mean taking advantage of the best capabilities your camera
provides. Even a $100 camera can create good small prints. After you
understand your cameras feature menu and how to navigate it go back and
re-read the picture quality section again. Once you understand that
section set your camera to the BEST modes possible
2.3. Always Use The Flash- Well Usually
No
matter if you are using a standard film camera, or a digital camera you
want to be sure that your camera ALWAYS uses the flash. The only
possible exception to this would be for indoor photography where there
are halogen or other obtrusive lighting that you may have to experiment
with. To force your camera to use the flash set your camera to "FORCE
Flash" or "Fill Flash", not "AUTOMATIC Flash". This flash is often
represented by a "lightening bolt" symbol. Automatic flash will
determine if the flash goes off based upon the amount of light detected.
When we tell you to use your flash in the sun, automatic flash will
almost never turn on since it will think there is sufficient lighting.
Using the flash helps to illuminate the shadowing areas, as well as
minimizing any glare along with balancing the overall lighting. Force
flash should be used for exterior shots, cockpit shots, and engine bay
shots.
You compose and shoot that great engine bay shot and then
realize when you are working with the photograph later that all you see
if the top of the engine and nothing more. The flash will make the
steering box, headers and other components stand out as well as enhance
the top of the engine detail and make the colors stand out even more.
The following examples show the difference with and without flash. In
the first figure the image is rather washed out and with the blue not so
blue and the red and other colors not all that brilliant.
2.7. Lens Filters and Shades
If
you must take photographs in bright sun, such as an outside car show,
use a lens shade and force to overcome the harsh sun. The other
alternative to use especially if your flash is not powerful enough flash
is to use a polarizing filter instead of the flash. The polarizing
filter is one of the most useful filters for outdoor photography and is a
requirement for any serious photographer, especially for those that use
a digital camera. A polarizing filter will reduce the glare and make
colors stand out more in harsh sun conditions. These filters can
significantly reduce white-outs or wash-outs (surfaces with the primary
color all washed out) due to bright reflections. Some photograph flaws
can be edited out and touched up, however, these flaws are nearly
impossible to eliminate after the fact and make look natural.
A
second important tool to have in your camera bag is a lens shade. A lens
shade is inexpensive and is attached on the end of your lens to keep
excess light from directly entering lens. It basically provides a
tunnel that shields the optics (lens), and due to its black color
absorbs any bouncing light. This helps the camera to better detect the
light levels of the subject.
3. The Photo Shoot - How Do We Work With What We Have
Now
that you have a general understanding of how to use your camera, lets
focus on where, when, and how to get the optimum environment. There are
some things in our control, and others that are not, and at any one time
they can change. It is important that we discuss each elements so you
can decide what to do given your situation. These elements are lighting,
the location, and the position of the automobile. If you are restricted
to a specific time of day, then you many not have any control over the
lighting, or do you. If you are photographing the vehicle at a show, you
are probably limited to its position and location. Ideally you want
the best lighting, optimum flexibility with positioning the vehicle.
Lastly if you are going to remove the background from the final print,
the cleanest background for editing is desirable. This section will help
you take advantage of any flexibility and optimize your shoot given
the environment.
3.1. Pick The Right Lighting
Given that we
are focusing on color photography, proper lighting is essential. In fact
proper lighting actually means LOTS OF LIGHT, and the correct type of
light. Without proper lighting it is nearly impossible to have an award
winning photograph, even one that has touched up with the best photo
editing tools. When it comes to lighting you want to have an even
distribution of light over the entire surface of the automobile. This
light illuminates all areas, is not harsh or glaring and does not cause
shadowing. Sun light that is at a low-angle such as at sun rise or sun
set is often the best. This low-angle light covers the side surfaces
with light. Sun light that is high in the sky such as that mid-day harsh
sun must be avoided or you will have glaring reflections. This harsh
light results in the top surfaces being washed out, and the lower areas
being dark with excessive shadowing. The ultimate goal is low angle,
soft, evenly distributed light that illuminates the entire vehicle.
Also remember to keep the sun behind you and watch out for your own
shadow!
3.2. Picking The Location
The lighter color the
ground surface the better the lower area lighting will be and less lower
body panel shadowing due to the upward reflected light. Parking the
vehicle on a light colored concrete surface versus a dark asphalt
surface has this is a major benefit as well as making the tire profiles
stand out due to the black rubber from the lighter surface. This
reflection will better illuminate the lower areas including the
undercarriage and minimize shadows.
The intent for many of the
photographs put into fantasy scenes is to remove the background and
have the vehicle stand alone. It is important that nothing sticks up in
front of any part of the vehicle and causes an obstruction. Unless your
final print will be of your automobile in a grassy field, do not take
your pictures on a lawn or grassy field. The blades of grass will hide
the bottom of the tires as well as produce reflections and irregular
shadowing on the lower panels and any reflective surfaces such as
bumpers. This is also true if taking pictures on a gravel area. The
tires could slightly depress the surface hiding the lower portion.
3.3. Positioning The Vehicle
Park
the vehicle away from anything that will cause a reflection on it. For
example, the white parking lot stripes will be reflected on the side
panels and in the glass. Any building signs or even trees will be
reflected and even if they are not clear, they will end up looking like
distorted body work in the final print. Remember your automobile can be
like a mirror and many things around will show up as a reflection and
later take away from the final picture.
Position the vehicle for
the best lighting. Remember that you want to always take the picture
from the sun side and not the shadow side (sun always behind you). This
may require that you reposition the vehicle during a photo shoot for
optimum lighting from all sides. Make sure that the areas that you are
photographing (i.e. front/side, etc.) are positioned for best lighting.
3.5. What Angles Should You Take
Take
a series of photographs with all doors, hood, trunk are completely
closed. This series should include the following shots (refer to the
example pictures). In this section we will include the final photographs
that were created in order to help you jump ahead and start to
visualize what can be done as you look at the different angles. These
are only a few compositions, and many more combinations could be created
using different backgrounds and the inclusion / exclusion of various
elements. Just use your imagination, and eventually you will be able to
look at a vehicle and have a good idea of what the final print will look
like.