Home > Fun Stuff > CAFCNA Magazine - May 2002 > Page 4

Taking The Perfect Automotive Picture
Discuss this story

There is no doubt in our minds that the Chevy Avalanche is a very beautiful vehicle. We would not have bought it if it were not. So it is natural that at one point or another, as passionate as we are about these trucks, we would contemplate taking that brochure like picture of our pride and joy.

The ins and outs of photography are a bit lengthy to get into at this point. A topic that needs a lot of time devoted to if one was seeking to become a serious hobbyist or an out right professional. However, and mostly due to technology found in today’s point and shoot and fully automatic cameras, an average shutterbug can obtain some very impressive images without the worry of all that technical mambo jumbo. For those brave enough to take this leap of faith the following set of tips, guidelines and techniques might just be the ticket on the way to better shots of our cars.

The approach to taking a photograph is perhaps one of the most challenging parts of taking pictures of a car (any car). Before anything can be committed to film or RAM (for the digital folks) it is a good idea to survey the elements that make that special ride worth taking a picture of. Going back to the Chevy Avalanche as the primary example, one would start by isolating the key features that make this truck an Avalanche.

Grill, cladding, tailgate spoiler, mid gate, mud flaps, and finally wheels and interior are just some of those unique items that make the AV what it is. Plot where these items are located and find a common angle that would highlight several of them. There are so many angles one can shoot a vehicle from before having to get into the outrageous.

The most common of all car shots is the standard front ¾ view where one of the car’s front corner is pointed towards the camera and most of the side and front grill is exposed or facing the camera. Use this angle to highlight the grill, fender, side mirror and side moldings and doors. Choose a high point of view if the hood is to be highlighted as well or a low if it is the wheels that need a little more emphasis. Keep in mind that different cars have different things that make them interesting. It’s up to the individual photographer how to go about letting others enjoy those features clearly. The AV has a very impressive front end and one that promotes itself to being photographed yet its best angle and one that really highlights the special features that make this car unique can be seen from the rear specially with the tailgate down. Going to a high angle will accent the rear spoiler, deck covers, and rear glass. A low angle will highlight the rear bumper, wheel wells, and cladding.

It is all about choices, and what one wants to show over what one does not want to show. Those less then flattering spots can be kept away from the prying eyes if one is wise about the way the camera is positioned in reference to the vehicle. The end results are well worth any extra time spent during this stage.

Next comes the most essential part – the need to wash the car so that its natural shine can come through. We need to identify any areas that will capture light and make sure these are clean (chromed areas or dinged areas will need special attention). Finish the car’s prep by dressing tires and any non-reflective black areas. Finally make sure the glass is clean (free of dust and bugs) before taking that shot.

Now for the final stages, choose the background. This could be the most important step of them all. Why? Well, simply because the background can overpower the car’s appearance by taking too much away from the car or by making it just another element in the scenery. Once you have everything in place and you are ready to shoot that picture look at the setup once again and determine if there are any offensive elements within your frame. Look for trash or other unwanted items. Look for wires or unpleasant features within the background or foreground. Lastly, look for unwanted reflections such as yourself within the paint, chrome or glass. Lighting will have a lot to do with the quality of the picture taken. If the sun is too strong you will not be able to show the features of the car as easily as if it was being photographed along a shady row of trees. Also pick the time of day that is most pleasant to the eye. The National Geographic hours are about thirty minutes to ninety minutes after sunrise and one to two hours before sunset. Most photographers will choose to take pictures during these times because the lighting found during these hours can yield very crisp colorful images.

Had enough yet? Well hang on; there are a couple more things we can talk about that will also make a difference in the final results. Besides, cleanliness, reflections and features one must also pay attention to the one area that provides us with over 25% of the visual impact of a vehicle – the wheels. Make sure you never keep those wheels turned away from the camera. The rule of thumb is to align the flat area of the wheel with the front of the lens (as close as possible) or at a 45° angle if appropriate. If the car is at perpendicular angle towards the camera (dead front or rear) then choosing not to show the wheels is an option that will work. Don’t hesitate to experiment a little. In doing so one is often rewarded with some very nice alternatives.

If you are still not confident you can pull this off. I would recommend you look at some of the leading automotive magazines and start identifying why one photo is taken from a high angle (or from above) while another is taken from a low angle (or way below). What items are they trying to highlight and what makes that photo pleasing to the eye. Pay close attention to the way the picture was focused (background is as sharp as the car or is out of focus isolating the car further). Learn from those images and take a few snaps trying to duplicate them. Who knows, your efforts might end up on the cover of the magazine sometime. Happy Shooting!

Author Credit:  Enrique “Chino” Barreto