Took out a buddy ... but struggled

[tukaniray]

Okay, a friend of mine wanted to have some photos and guinea pig for me.

I felt I was really struggling to get a good angle of the car and get the light correctly. Plus the street slanted funny, so the car looks like it's falling when I level the city.

Throw me some tips of what you guys think ... I have been doing pretty well at shooting automotive events, but single cars, I still seem to fall on my face here and there.

Here are a few of photos from the shoot.







-Ray-

[KenJulio]

I dont know if it's me, but the color of the car is just 'blah'

With that said, the first shot the sky blends into the color
2nd - powerlines and the street lights are distracting, then the person behind the car crossing the street

I'll add, i'm not much of a car person.

[KJ Smith]

I'm with Ken.

That car just isn't interesting visually.

The color just doesn't work here.

[tukaniray]

Thanks guys. My wife and I were looking at the car ... and we agree with you. It just isn't an appealing ride.

My friend loves it... like no mother/father would deny their babies, no matter how they look. lol.

Yeah, I just wasn't feeling the colors either. But I think, the not so appealing subject, makes it even harder to decide a good angle of shot.

As for the power lines, I thought since I see the power line poles, it would be okay ... do you think I should still go back over those shots and delete the powerlines?

I have deleted power lines in prior photos, but only because you couldn't see the power line poles.

Thanks for the time to comment and throw out some tips ... all are helpful.

-Ray-

[arich]

I'm going to play a slight devils advocate (because I don't like the car either lol) but what could you have done to make an un-interesting subject interesting? It looks like it has a carbon fiber (faker?) hood, could you have featured that more and created some contrast with boring color of the actual car? What could you have done differently with your lights?

Not criticizing, I just always think that it's good to make sure that you have done everything you reasonably can as the photographer to make your subject look good. Ugly subjects like this are a good learning opportunity!

[tukaniray]

That's definitely what I was aiming was a challenge for me. Having to turn an uninteresting subject into something is more appealing to the eye.

Thanks.

-Ray-

[d4fotografix]

I think a car like this takes extra care in the way it's lit. Take the shot around dusk to bring some interesting light into your photo, and onto the car. I agree with Arich about the carbon fiber hood thing.

Way to go on challenging yourself!

[arich]

Originally Posted by tukaniray

That's definitely what I was aiming was a challenge for me. Having to turn an uninteresting subject into something is more appealing to the eye.

Thanks.

-Ray-

Cool, not very easy with this car though

[tukaniray]

Thanks guys. Yea, I have a few more people I am talking too about taking photos of their rides. Just more challenges ahead. :)

-Ray-

[Ricco]

One thing that I have learned is not only do you have to look at your subject, but the crap around you that might walk into your shot.
Did you just use street lights?

I'm not a car guy either, but I wonder if there is a "formula" on how to shoot a car.

[dmcantrell]

The side view of the grey car in the grey sky is unappealing, I'd toss those shots. or, maybe go black and white and turn up the contrast. I dunno, just an idea.

The hood and front view of the car seem to be pretty interesting, I'd explore that line of thinking. In fact, the front view of the car is quite menacing - with the custom lights and the grill.

I like the street-level shot of the wheel and tire - that's a good way to pull out a nice detail while avoiding the grey paint color. I've heard that some photographers will have the driver drive over some dust or sand to help define the tire tread, but I have not tried this myself.

[Ricco]

Another thought:

Wouldn't it be best to just take off or replace the license plates?

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by Ricco

Another thought:

Wouldn't it be best to just take off or replace the license plates?

Yep!

[dmarty78]

Ray,
The first photo right idea, but you didn't pull it off. Instead you took a bland colored car and made it disappear into a very busy background. A background that is doing it's best to work against you. Example lights poking out of the car, and buildings poking out of the car. Remember power lines and poles equals no good, unless you're out on some deserted highway and you want to leave the power lines and poles in the scene to show the distance of the road. You have to look and compose the shot in the view finder. Look at it over and over and say to yourself will the end result look good? Will I have to post process the hell out of the photo? Unless you like to edit tons of things that can be avoided. If you're going to start shooting phots for paying clients I would suggest you drive around with your camera and scout locations. Take photos of your car at some of the locations you find. If your car looks good in the location a customers car would look good there too. I know there are some good locations in Houston.

Also the curb bothers me on the right hand side of the car. And, remember the rule of thirds when composing cars.

I think the second shot is a good canidate for a black in white.

I could go on somemore, but I think I've left you with some things to think about. I hope I didn't come across as a hard a$$. Just trying to help out and always available to answer questions or help out.

-Dale-

[tukaniray]

All great thanks ... I take all suggestions. So, no worries ... I have tough skin when learning ;)

@ Rick - > I actually decided to bring out my SB800s as oppose to setting up my Alien Bees (challenging myself with smaller lighter equipment, then creating an outside studio).
Thanks for the idea of the license plate ... I may do that from now on.

@ David - > thanks for the suggestions. I will look into driving over dirt or something to define the tires more.

@ Dale - > All good. I don't take your suggestions wrong at all. I thank you for the tips you give. I was thinking of the rule of thirds the whole time ... but I may have lost it once or twice. I like your suggestion of thinking about how much post will be done with the shot. Really gets me thinking more. I need to work on that more, thanks.

-Ray-