Automotive photography can be considered a niche in the photography industry. Therefore, many are in dire need of good advice to produce professional-level photography.
Taking pictures of cars can be more and more interesting. When shooting car commercials, there are a few aspects or guidelines that need to be taken into account in order to get the desired results. The secret to successful car photography is simple! Keep a few things under control!
Time of the day
The time of day is of the utmost importance when you want to take car pictures. Successful ads tend to show cars when the sun is barely visible, preferably a few minutes after sunset or a little before sunrise. The soft gold shimmer bounces off all surfaces, giving photography a wholesome, glamorous vibe. Natural light also reduces post-processing time, making your work more authentic!
Beware of reflections
Car photography can be tricky as hindsight can lead to unwanted reflections on the surface of the car. Therefore, when you are preparing for a photo session, be sure to choose an open space. The car’s glossy exterior will reflect its surroundings, hiding its design lines. Exterior reflections and shadows can ruin the entire objective of photography of this product, if they obstruct the curves and designs of the car. That’s why it’s best to avoid areas with tall buildings and trees for these types of shots.
And if your own reflection appears on the surface, then the best option is to use a tripod and a timer.
Color and Background
The color and the background must be in perfect harmony; otherwise your image will not attract attention. Each color or paint reacts depending on the time of day or lighting. Direct sunlight is a big no no! Most colors tend to hide their best features in direct sunlight; On the other hand, lighter colored cars can look impressive in bright sunlight.
Depending on the color of your vehicle and the theme of your photo shoot, it is vital to choose a contrasting background. The sole purpose of the background should be to highlight the car. Any object that can serve as a distraction must be removed.
driving shots
The classiest car photos are the shots from the car. Taking pictures of a moving car from another moving car is one of the coolest and most exciting shots. Of course, it can be very dangerous!
Try shooting out your car window while driving at 60 kilos per hour (40 mph) with your shutter speed set to 1/100th of a second. This should capture the movement on the road and the wheels. Lowering the shutter speed further will create a blurry effect, which can also look nice!
Another way to take driving photos is to stay still and let the car pass in front of you. Use your lens to follow the car as it goes by, with a shutter speed of 125 seconds. This method is easy and the images come out stunning! Obviously the effects change depending on the speed of the car, so play around with it.
night shots
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to take good photos in the dark. For car photography, we simply need an additional instrument; A flashlight.
First, you need to find a location that is Pitch Black. Street lamp, moonlight, billboards, etc. it can ruin the photo, so be careful with any other light source. After having arrived at this place; set up your tripod, set your ISO to 100, and your shutter speed should be 30 seconds with an aperture of f/9.
Now, when the shutter is about to open, you must shine your flashlight on the surface. Try to cover all sides of the car with the flashlight by walking while the blind is open. Experiment with the angles and sides, each photo will have a different effect!
If you take pictures for car dealer business and e-commerce website, post processing is extremely beneficial and it is expensive and time consuming. However, you can take advantage of our outsourcing photo editing services to reduce your time and cost.
