Z320 Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 Please let us discuss! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted July 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 In my opinion on most TR photos you can see how much the owner is in love with his car. Means: what is not pretty he does not realize - but is visible on the photo! The challenge is: how to make a photo of your car that gets the attention of others - who are not in love with YOUR car? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Freer Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 My solution is to photograph from at least 20 meters (or yards!) away from the subject......preferably in a thick fog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
2long Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) I hijacked another thread with some comments on this issue of how best to photographs our cars. Some of the comments were really insightful, and we discussed using industrial-type architecture as a backdrop, the advantages of tight or wide shots, and how backgrounds of lines and curves work with the subject. I have experimented with shots directly overhead, which can be really interesting (showing the hips of the sidescreen cars especially), and shots taken from a low-to-the-ground perspective. A beautiful scenic background is always great, but there are even subtleties to that. Of course, equipment matters, but my iPhone is not bad! There are quite a few shots in the "Out and About" forum (and elsewhere) that are just stunning, so I know we have talent (and material!) in this club. Any thoughts from others would be appreciated! Cheers Dan Edited July 30, 2020 by 2long Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) Best is the observer has reasons to look on the photo again and again, because you find details - or stories on it - or he asks himself questions about whats going on. In combination with an old building this is not my TR but my Norton (and wife). Edited July 31, 2020 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 What about a challenge? Making a photo of your TR in context with an old building. You already have one or make it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 1 hour ago, Z320 said: Best is the observer has reasons to look on the photo again and again, because you find details - or stories on it - or he asks himself questions about whats going on. In combination with an old building this is not my TR but my Norton (and wife). A real nicely thought out photo, more would be nice. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Mick, do you like this? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 12 hours ago, Ben Freer said: My solution is to photograph from at least 20 meters (or yards!) away from the subject......preferably in a thick fog Hi Ben, you are not taking this seriously Below is the best pic I can find of my car. Red is normally for the Prancing Horse type cars And it is not an MGBegonia Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 The right light is crucial. Mid-day at this time of year and the full sun makes cars look bland and washed out. Wait until you get the hues, tones and shadows of early evening or an autumnal sun. Gives the shape and curves something extra dimensionally, and you'll get some interesting shots Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Following on from Kev's more serious post. If using flash be careful where the shadows fall and how deep they are. In very sunny conditions consider a fill-in flash to subdue the shadows. Autumn colours could make a car light up but also consider the depth of field and perhaps put the colours slightly out of focus. You want the eye drawn to the car not my Begonias. How about a rock face in a quarry - put it just out of focus. Or shoot the whole scene through a stocking (Vignetting) That should sort the door gaps. When shooting near moving water (waterfall, waves crashing on a beach) consider a big f setting (f22) and slow speed (1/15th) with a tripod. This gives the waves a cloudy effect. Coloured lighting may give interesting effects but are childish. (that's me). Good luck & keep snapping Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 6 hours ago, Z320 said: Mick, do you like this? That looks great ...! Ski’s and a tailored suitcase off on holiday. Damn it reminds me what life was like before Coronavirus, best wishes to yourself and your darling wife. Mick and Margaret Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 If this photo tells you a story and brings up memories in your mind I have made a good one... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Seymour Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Two of my recent ones Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barkerwilliams Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Unless it is an action shot I think some time is needed to select the background. Think about the colour of the car will a red car look good against a red background? Select an appropriate list of background colours that you think will allow your car to stand out. Then think about the texture of the background, will a "busy" background distract from the car or will large sweeps of colour allow the eye to focus on the car? Avoid a background with any brightly coloured areas which will draw the eye away from the car. Spend a little time looking through the viewfinder, would the car look better in relation to the background it it was a few feet further forward, or backwards? Angle of the car (or people) a diagonal shot to me always seems more interesting than a square on photograph - Chris Seymour's photos above are good. Height of camera - needs some experimenting with the camera at ground level, or as high as you can get it, depends on the picture you are trying to create. Check that there is no litter, photographers shadow, or other unwanted "stuff" in the photograph. or in short do not take a photograph, take your time and compose a photograph. Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deggers Posted July 31, 2020 Report Share Posted July 31, 2020 Great thread! I'm certainly no pro. My 'camera kit' consists of nothing more than a Galaxy S8 smartphone and a free photoshop app! But even without a fancy DSLR, it's surprising what results can be achieved with just a few pointers and some creative experimentation. Here are some useful starter tips for 10. And a few of my experiments, which some of you may have seen before . . . Failing all that of course . . . just add California sunshine and your new favourite co-driver. Bingo, instant magazine cover! Cheers, Deggers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted August 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Hi Deggers, I know and I like your photos, they tell me a story. Ciao, Marco Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Hi Deggers, your #4 pic is very nice. The car takes second place (only just) to the winding lane - where is it going, where will it take us - a little bit of mystery. The brake light is a clever trick - it brings meaning to the bottom left corner - otherwise quite plain. As for pic 5 - corrrrrrrr. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) One of my favourite shots taken by Julian Stephens quite a few years ago on a club night run Stuart. And a similar one Edited August 1, 2020 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Misfit Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Misfit Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bfg Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) Quick guide to taking better photos. 1. Light. Photography captures the image of reflected light, and so the balance and the many qualities of light ought to be foremost in your consideration. Most of us know ..from being first taught as a child, that when you wish to take a photograph of a love one’s face then you have them stand or sit in orientation to a light source. That may be from behind the camera, from above, or perhaps from the side. Light from immediately behind the camera tends to flatten the features (little or no shadows to convey depth) whereas light from above and to one side, as long as it’s not too ‘hard’ (bright and from a single light source) better brings out the rounder shape and softer features of a face. Why then do so many drivers stop their car and take a piccie without considering those same factors ? I guess it’s because most of us see a background view or architectural feature and plonk their car in front of it. The photographer, and the capabilities of the camera, then have to work around whatever light there is, its colour and harshness, and its orientation. Worded another way., we start with a compromise situation and just hope the photo turns out good. Sometimes it does, more often than not it doesn’t. A professional photographer drives around looking for a backdrop to the car, where the quality of light and its orientation is already good. The car is then positioned relative to the light and to the backdrop. A vehicle may be turned relative to those for different shots. Often they use a reflective screen like < these > which come in different colours, &/or a string of flash / flood lamps ..perhaps positioned down low &/or to one side of the car, to fill-in the deeper shadows ..from where there is either too strong a contrast or else a lack of natural light. And sometimes they may place lighting or a reflector behind the car to illuminate the ground under it. The foresight and preparation is the difference between a photograph and a snapshot. Recently I took photographs of my black Sunbeam motorcycle. I was putting it up for sale and so for convenience (read : laziness) I did this in the garden. But first I waited for the right weather with blue skies but also clouds. I had cut the lawn and locally cleared an area of grass cuttings, which is where I’d park my bike the following day. I even placed a steel plate on the lawn ready for its centre-stand and that (in higher aspect shots) added a welcome splash and balance of colour (..its rust contrasting with / subliminally emphasising the absence of rust on the bike). Then the following morning ..when the light was a little softer and of warmer hues, lower in the sky and from the right direction for me to have the clearer backdrop I wanted. I took some of the required photographs before then turning the motorcycle itself around, for the sunlight to fill in from the other side of the motorcycle. Had I been serious about wanting to get a great shot, then I would have sought a more interesting backdrop, &/or been out there several days in a row, from just before dusk, and then back again in the late afternoon and evening ..to explore different and changing sunlight and its lower aspect in the sky. And I would have had infill lighting in place to offer a few more highlights, under the saddle, and within the wheels and lower mudguards. But these were just to present that vintage motorcycle ‘ in a good light’ so to speak, which was to help sell her at the best price. Thankfully they worked and the bike was sold at the asking price. There are of course many different light sources and of different temperatures, such as ; the warmth of tungsten lighting versus phosphorous, neon, or LED. There’s indirect lighting from parking in the shade and using the light reflected off a building perhaps, or the diffused lighting under a canopy or through trees ..and of course when sunlight is diffused through clouds. There’s also bright moonlights to take photographs by. And then there’s street lamp-posts and city / shop window lights. Lighting from other car’s headlamps. These being aside from all sorts of filters for toning and special effect. Photography is an in-depth subject but lighting is foremost in taking better photos. I’ll stop there for now, and perhaps come back sometime soon to share some tips on composition. In the meantime I hope the above offers food for thought and other contributors' comments.. Pete. Edited August 1, 2020 by Bfg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted August 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2020 I have stolen this from Dan from another thread. The light is not perfect, it is just the way it was when Dan was there. And this is what we mostly have to accept. But you see what is the most urgend thing: you have to make the photo the way to catch the obververs attention who has no relation to YOUR car. This one I want to have on my 2021 TR2/3 wall calendar to look several times every day on it at August 2021! Dan: I send you a PM And perhaps you tell us what you did to make it. Or you just have the view and talent! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modelbuilder Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 Well, this is not the best composed photo of a TR but I managed to capture this one when my wife gate crashed the saloon car race at the Revival a few years back. Rodders. PS my smiling emojis were removed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
openroad Posted August 4, 2020 Report Share Posted August 4, 2020 Which car is going the wrong way ?? Conrad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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