Photography AdviceThanks to GoodysGotaCuda, Daytona, babyelephant and anyone I've forgotten for advice posted in previous years, which I have collected below. If more good advice appears I'll edit this post to include it.
Cameras:
1. If your plan is to make prints, use a camera with at least 6 megapixels (MP). These have been around for a few years, so they're not state of the art and therefore not expensive. Shots taken at less than 6 MP are not large enough to fill the page.
2. If your camera has the ability, mount a polarizer filter. It will give you bluer skies, whiter clouds, and help you minimize reflections where you want to do so.
Posing & Composition
1. Pay attention to background clutter, things that appear to be "growing" out of the car as you pose it. This could include trees, utility poles, street signs and poles, or parking lot lines. Move yourself or the car or both until the shot is clean. Notice how the tree grows out of the Thunderbird fender/a-pillar below:
Similarly, notice how the parking lot line grows out of this vehicle:
2. Make sure that there's ample room around the image; don't cut off parts of your car, or get too close to the edges of the image. Otherwise nice images, like the one below, lose their impact.
3. Think outside the box. Get up high (on a ladder, on a balcony, etc.) or down low (on your stomach, in a gully). Shoot head-on or tail-on. Tilt the camera. Shoot in rain or snow.
4. Shots with the front wheels turned face-on to the camera tend to be more pleasing, like this Challenger:
Photographers:
1. If you don't feel confident about your ability to get a good image, look in your local craigslist, under SERVICES - CREATIVE. You will likely find listings from people who are trying to start a photography business, and in order to build up their portfolios are offering to do shoots for free. They will usually say that they're looking for models (who isn't?), but trust me, they'll be happy to shoot your car. I found this in about 2 minutes on a random search of craigslist:
Hi!
I am a photographer who is just starting my own business. I am offering free 1 or 2 hour photography sessions to anyone interested. I need to build a portfolio as well as a client base.
I am willing to do any kind of shoot. I have been taking infant and child lifestyle shoots, family shoots, and event photography (as well as landscape). I would like to expand to engagement photos, senior pictures, weddings, etc.2. Places that tend to lend themselves to helping you make good shots:
- Lakes, ponds, rivers-in short, water
- Churches
- Bridges
- Barns
This is not an exhaustive list. Basically, look for something dramatic, and put your car in front of it (if you can do so, and, if needed, if you can get permission).
Many people don't think that cars should not be photographed on grass. Personally, this doesn't bother me. I'd much rather see a car on grass than on pavement with parking lines sticking out at odd angles. Still, it's something to be aware of as you pick locations; some of the same people who may not like cars on grass are people who are voting in the calendar competition.
Advice found and posted by member babyelephant in this link:
http://www.cobracountry.com/CobraPhotoTipsDipStix.pdfThere's a LOT of information there. Most of it is good, some is great, and some can be ignored such as getting good angles on Shelby Cobras), but if you're really serious about capturing an image of your care that will make people gasp, check it out.
