First Time Using Softboxes In An Automotive Setting

[J. Evins]

Since I've been shooting cars, I've settled for bare strobe / speedlite use without modifiers. I've always enjoyed quick setup times and portability, which is why even with an AlienBee setup I keep my strobes around. Also, I've tried using modifiers before and had worse catchlights. With softboxes, though, I've been hoping to attempt some controlled highlights.

I purchased some large softboxes awhile back to use with my AB800s, primarily for engine bay shots and interiors in automotive use, and portraits if I ever get back into them or have more time.

Heres a shot of the bay:



Heres a shot of the interior:



Also, I tried some exterior detail shots and attempted to use the catchlights to my advantage. It didn't work out quite as well, I need more practice, but it came out fairly interesting:







My input afterwards:

I really enjoy them for interior shots. With cloth, leather, and plastic you worry about reflections much less than you would on a metallic surface such as paint. I need to work on placement and such, its very difficult to get the perfect setup with doors and pillars in the way. Its also very hard to frame what you want without getting something you don't want in the photo (a frame, a door, etc). I think in the future I will try and focus more on individual subjects, like the dash, the seats, etc instead of trying to get -everything- in one photo.

As far as the bay shots, this is exactly what I wanted to do, and I was happy with it. I was rushing, so the final result was not perfect and theres a little too much contrast in the paint, but I'm happy with the overall result. Much like interiors, the bay is much less reflective than the exterior of the car, but much more reflective than interior. Fortunately, there are lots of curves and things, so the highlights are much easier to deal with (as opposed to a huge square reflection on a flat piece of metal)

The exterior detail shots I need to work on. This is where I feel like I could've used strip boxes and such, and a boom. I loved the light, I definitely enjoyed the photographs, but I'm a perfectionist and the highlights are not perfect enough. I would be much happier if shot these in the afternoon / evening with more ambient light. The highlights would be less overpowering as I'd probably be using my boxes for fill only.

[CaptainTom]

Are you familiar with THIS RESOURCE ?

[J. Evins]

Yeah, I've seen it before. Its alot of good information in one spot.

[disboifan]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Are you familiar with THIS RESOURCE ?

that resource really does not really help with what james is trying to achieve.

James, have you tried taking a long exposure while moving the softbox around trying to imitate a striplight look? I think we should just team up and make an automotive studio lol.

[J. Evins]

Hey man! Good to see you, we should shoot together more, that'd be a great idea.

I haven't tried multiple flashes on a long shutter, but I have tried blending multiple exposures together. I've done this quite a bit with speedlites, especially on dark cars when bouncing light from the ceiling.

I tried a little bit with my softboxes before, but had little success as I did not think it through very well - I literally walked around the car holding the softbox :P

If I place it on a tripod and move it evenly, I think the results would be very good. I wish I had a boom to keep the stand out of the frame, though.

I may have to give it a shot here soon!

[OneShot]

What shutter speed were you using?

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by disboifan

that resource really does not really help with what james is trying to achieve.

James, have you tried taking a long exposure while moving the softbox around trying to imitate a striplight look? I think we should just team up and make an automotive studio lol.

I'm terribly sorry. Should I now remove my post because you don't think it helps ?? How impudent !

[J. Evins]

Originally Posted by OneShot

What shutter speed were you using?

I decided to shoot at my max sync speed (1/250) to keep the ambient light down (horrid, yellow streetlight)

I usually don't prefer to shoot so late at night, but I wanted to knock this out while I had the chance, since he was on my side of town.