For best results in classic car pictures, photographers consider locations, camera angles, lighting, details, and car show conditions.
In normal everyday life, the car might be on the road, in a car park, or on its driveway, plain settings that provide little visual appeal. For a gritty feel or moody atmosphere, an industrial part of town among warehouses or the top level of a car park with views across the city might be suitable. For a clean, upper-class image, a city business district with blocks of modern architecture with reflective glass would make sense. For country color, the crest of a hill overlooking a landscape with the sun setting in the background would be hard to beat. Great locations increase artistic opportunities.
In abnormal settings, the photographer should consider carefully whether the photo might make the car look out of place if parked on grass, for example. There is no need for overly adventurous location selections that take the car too far from normal context.
Professional cameras and special lenses certainly have their uses, but ordinary digital and even phone cameras are capable of amazing images. Headlight-level angles from kneeing positions popular with professional photographers give the car an aggressive appearance as its own body shields potentially distracting background objects from view. A bird’s-eye view from a high point like a second-story window is a good perspective for showcasing hood art or full-body paint jobs. A camera tilt to show the car diagonally across the frame can suggest motion as if it’s on its way out of the photo. A camera set on the ground can add an interesting foreground dimension.
Viewers like to see collector cars from various vantage points as the photographer walks around them taking pictures on the way. This technique is impressive with paint jobs that seem to change color with the perspective. Moving or re-positioning the car against the background adds to the variation. Ramps and jack stands show off suspensions and undercarriages. Front and rear three-quarter shots from kneeling or sitting positions in which the photographer can see all four wheels are traditional classic car pictures that seldom fail to please.
The best time for outdoor photography is not when the sun is at its highest and brightest. The camera can’t capture as much of the optical spectrum as can the eye so photos have too much contrast. Shadows look black and bright spots blinding. Shiny paint reflects sky and clouds more easily than it does at other times, making those reflective areas significantly brighter than other parts of the car. The best time for outdoor photos of classic cars is when the sun is low in the sky and produces warm tones of light in a narrow dynamic range in which the camera can capture an image closely matching what the eyes see.
An alternative to an outdoor or location shot is a studio. Renting a studio large enough for classic cars is expensive, so a large garage with white walls may be a workable alternative to expensive studio space. An advantage of a studio is the ability to control lighting creatively for interior and detail shots, but full-car photos can look bland with no context. Finally, when considering location, the photographer should consider carefully how the surroundings relate to the color of the car and whether the tones complement or clash with each other.
Many interesting interior details are worth shooting. Manufacturer logos appear many times in car interiors, and a few nice design features may be worth consideration. Enough light must be available for photos on location in the evening so as not to miss details that could be enhanced with studio lights.
Of course, the car should be clean. Any amount of dirt on it will tend to be conspicuous, so it should have a good washing and waxing beforehand. If the photo is in a remote location, the photographer should wash it there to remove any uncleanliness accumulated en route.
At classic car shows, the photographer should bear in mind that a raised hood breaks up a car’s body lines. If the owner is nearby, the photographer can request a closed hood for a better photograph, offering a print or a digital file for the favor. It’s also a good idea to remove show placards, another favor the owner can do for the photographer. When photographing classis cars late in the day, ask owners for permission to turn on the parking lights for warm subtle glows from front, sides, and rear.
Some products you buy come with a lifestyle change, and firearms are at the top of the list. In the…
By Marc Blackman, CEO Congratulations to Dr. Jeff Jankowski, professor of chemistry at North Central College, who became the first…
You can winterize your home, car, and even your pool if you happen to be the most popular house in…
Gold Eagle Co.’s latest Women in Leadership event featured a Women’s Power Brunch focusing on “Workplace Leadership: The Power of…
Every pet owner has experienced that feeling of pure joy when returning home after some time away. No matter how…
There are so many reasons to invest in natural stone for your home. Whether it's placing limestone tiles for a…