Automotive Traveler offers "Car photography for dummies"
This is the kind of photo Rich Truesdell will teach you to create
We've actually talked about doing this ourselves before, at least internally here at AB HQ. Giving some practical pointers on basic photography theory for new bloggers trying out their DSLR skills for the first time. Basic stuff like composition and lighting, focal lengths and depth of field. Well, our pal Rich Truesdell beat us to the punch, and did a much better job than we probably could have done in the process. Check out the series of articles he wrote to learn the basics and a whole lot more. While not everyone wants to be the next Ansel Adams, these tips can help you capture the best angle of your ride for that craigslist or eBay ad, or to show it off on your forum of choice. The article even gets into tips on catching the eyes of editors if you want to get your shots published. Really good information for anyone with a camera really. Click over and read the whole thing for yourself.
[Source: Automotive Traveler]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
XeroState 6:52PM (6/28/2008)
I cannot take this seriously as nay of their photo's have either light poles or tree's "growing out of" the car making it look stupid.
Imo, if you are going to tell people how to do something, tell them how to do it right.
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XeroState 6:52PM (6/28/2008)
nay = many
b. wood 9:46PM (6/28/2008)
Couldn't agree more..
Big no no to have poles or lights growing out of the car, any automotive photog can tell you that.
Chris 2:02AM (6/29/2008)
that's not even CLOSE to a good photograph.
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jwwduke 7:49PM (6/28/2008)
Haha, hey Xerostate, would you rather the cars be parked in front of a white sheet so none of that background "crap" is in the photo?
I think the info is pretty helpful, but hey everyone's got an opinion.
I love taking pics of my car and it's just an econobox(Mazda 3 Hatch). If I had a car like that Mustang I'd really love taking pics and would want them published.
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rav3 8:57PM (6/28/2008)
Not to be supercritical but I do have to agree with him somewhat. That photographer did seem to have a penchant for light poles...
Still, some nice pics, good advice and sweet Mustang.
Bryan 7:55PM (6/28/2008)
Mmmmmmm.... In N' Out
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knightbass 9:48PM (6/28/2008)
simple -- Never never NEVER shoot your car with the hood/trunk/doors all open, unless you are trying to hide just how ugly it is. Ruins the body line.
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Adam 7:37PM (6/29/2008)
Fail.
There's nothing in there that anybody that's read their instruction manual doesn't know. It's way more basic than the basics.
Never use a flash except for studio work OR special lighting during night shots (even then).
Never, EVER, have trees/lightposts in the background.
25mph for that moving shot is wayyyyy too fast. you really only need 15.
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mxrz 11:05PM (6/28/2008)
Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.
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Matt 8:26AM (6/29/2008)
...and those who can not teach criticize.
mxrz 11:10AM (6/29/2008)
I wouldn't know, I'm one of the do'ers myself.
rav3 1:37PM (6/29/2008)
Oh yes, "those who can't do teach": the preferred mantra for dropouts and mental simpletons...
Ignorance is bliss, mxrz. When you lose the ego maybe you can pursue an education and consider a real career. People may actually pay attention to you when you speak if they respect what you say.
Perhaps at your next doctor/dentist appointment you can request somebody that hasn't been taught by one of these dang fangled teachers you speak of. And I sure hope SFO has some pilots that don't have any training too. I'd hate for them to have an education from, "those who can't do."
The perspective from your little world must be grand, mxrz...
mxrz 2:07PM (6/29/2008)
Pursue an education and consider a real career? LOL I'm not 16 yr old, like most Autoblog armchair experts. Been there done that. Not only do people respect what I have to say, they respect what I do, enough so that I write my own paychecks and work only when I feel like it.
Matt 8:25AM (6/29/2008)
Come on guys take it for what it is.Great 101 for aspiring photographers. Thanks Rich.
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Rene Curry 8:14AM (6/29/2008)
You know what I hate....
Too many artsy-fartsy partial auto clips without a total picture of the car. Put that as rule #1.
About IN & OUT BURGER, I can remember when I lived in California that they used to give out bumper stickers. Then they had their people go out and find someone with a bumper sticker and give them money. It all ended very badly because everyone was blanking out the 'B' and the 'R' on the word burger. Ha Ha Ha
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jeffrev01 9:54PM (6/30/2008)
I'm not sure that everyone here really read the story for if you had, you would know that the author was addressing the issue of really bad photos in car ads and eBay. I have always remarked at how anyone can ever hope to sell their cars with the awful photos to show them off (some folks even go as far as using their camera phones). The point is that with a little work, anyone can take better car shots.
My 2 Cents
By the way, my shots can be seen here:
http://www.revellphotography.com/blog/?p=902
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