Small Town Car Show

[Terri French]

I live in a town of about 50,000 people. We had a car show at our local park yesterday. Here are a few shots from the show. I have had virtually no experience taking pictures of cars. All the reflections, shadows, and people made it very difficult. I would love suggestions and comments on how I can improve.

Taken with D70 and 18-70mm lens.

The full gallery is here:

http://www.pbase.com/terrif/tautphaus_park_car_show_2005

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

View attachment 10646

View attachment 10647

View attachment 10648

View attachment 10649

View attachment 10650

 

[beaucamera]

Interesting selection you have here, Terri. I got a kick out of #5, but this big black baby that you have at the end is my favorite. Love the perspective and reflections you got here.

Virginia
aka beaucamera

 

[heiko]

Hi Terri,

I like the last one best. I also like no. 3, but feel that there could be a bit more space in front of the car.

I only once shot pictures of a car - it's not easy to cope with all the reflections.

Nice pictures.

 

[hans]

Terri
Number 2 and 4 are great

 

[fks]

hi terri-

some nice photos there, good exposure to balance the mixed shade and direct sunlight.

ricky

 

[misupix]

Perfect captures of shiny classic cars, real nice!

I would take the first car right away, if it has a baby seat?

 

[Gale]

Terri,

Thats a tough assignment :>))

First one I love....I'll take it...

I am not much of a car person.

Can't really critique because I do not know how to handle the light.

I am finding manual a bit easier though.

 

[eng45ine]

Terri,

One of the toughest problems when trying to shoot cars in a car show is that you are at the mercy of the background. I have the same problem when I shoot youth sports...parents behind the backstop, along the fences, moms and dads sitting in collapsable chairs, etc. Doesn't anyone sit on the bleachers anymore!!! :x Sorry, I'm okay now!!! :lol:
Try taking 3/4 shots of the vehicle...for example, go to the left-front corner of the car and shoot so you can see the front of the car and the left side in the image. Take the same shot, but bring a 3-step ladder along and shoot the image from the top of the ladder....or...lie down on your tummy and shoot upward. Find an old Chevy with tail fins ('57 Chevy, '59 Chevy) and shoot from the rear to the front along the rear fender but be sure to capture the tail light. Get images of fender emblems. Pop the hood and get a shot looking downward onto the engine...especially if it's chromed. And it you are lucky to have an open space...pose the car for that 3/4 shot and get far enough away to use your longest lens and open it up wide shooting in aperature priority to blur the foreground and background...try turning the steering wheel a little to the left if you are shooting the left side of the car. You can also get a great shot with the same technique but shoot the car head-on.
You just have to use some imagination! I hope this helps!

 

[Terri French]

I haven't forgotten all of you

Last night we had a big family get-together for Father's Day and I am getting ready for work now. I have read all of your replies and will post some individual responses later today.

I appreciate every one who has commented.

Terri

 

[dmwphoto]

neat shot of the Desoto. did you help the poor bloke get out of the trunk?

 

[Samir]

Some good shots. I think the hardest part about shooting cars is finding the right angle. Some cars look good from a low angle, some from a high one. Some are good from a side and some from the front or back. To a certain extent it helps to know about the cars so you can accentuate what makes the car unique.

 

[Terri French]

Thank you Virginia

Interesting selection you have here, Terri. I got a kick out of #5, but this big black baby that you have at the end is my favorite. Love the perspective and reflections you got here.

Virginia
aka beaucamera

Glad you think the reflections are ok. Wasn't sure if they were effective or not.

 

[Terri French]

Thanks Heiko

Hi Terri,

I like the last one best. I also like no. 3, but feel that there could be a bit more space in front of the car.

I only once shot pictures of a car - it's not easy to cope with all the reflections.

Nice pictures.

That last car is beautiful. A better setting certainly would have made for a better picture of it. I agree about the space in front for #3. There were just too many people standing at the front of it. Oh well, maybe next time.

 

[Terri French]

Terri
Number 2 and 4 are great

Thank you Hans. I was experimenting with capturing detail areas of the cars. It was something new for me. I think they turned out pretty good. Anyway, I had fun with it.

 

[Terri French]

hi terri-

some nice photos there, good exposure to balance the mixed shade and direct sunlight.

ricky

Glad you liked them Ricky. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

 

[Terri French]

Perfect captures of shiny classic cars, real nice!

I would take the first car right away, if it has a baby seat?

Sorry Michael. My husband is already lusting after that Thunderbird.

Sounds like you need a mini-van anyway. :wink:

 

[Terri French]

Terri,

Thats a tough assignment :>))

First one I love....I'll take it...

I am not much of a car person.

Can't really critique because I do not know how to handle the light.

I am finding manual a bit easier though.

I'm really not a car person either. But, my husband loves these car shows. Taking pictures gives me something to do there. I would take that first car, too. Or, I would take it, sell it, and buy me some really nice lenses. :lol:

 

[Terri French]

Great suggestions, Frank

Terri,

One of the toughest problems when trying to shoot cars in a car show is that you are at the mercy of the background. I have the same problem when I shoot youth sports...parents behind the backstop, along the fences, moms and dads sitting in collapsable chairs, etc. Doesn't anyone sit on the bleachers anymore!!! :x Sorry, I'm okay now!!! :lol:
Try taking 3/4 shots of the vehicle...for example, go to the left-front corner of the car and shoot so you can see the front of the car and the left side in the image. Take the same shot, but bring a 3-step ladder along and shoot the image from the top of the ladder....or...lie down on your tummy and shoot upward. Find an old Chevy with tail fins ('57 Chevy, '59 Chevy) and shoot from the rear to the front along the rear fender but be sure to capture the tail light. Get images of fender emblems. Pop the hood and get a shot looking downward onto the engine...especially if it's chromed. And it you are lucky to have an open space...pose the car for that 3/4 shot and get far enough away to use your longest lens and open it up wide shooting in aperature priority to blur the foreground and background...try turning the steering wheel a little to the left if you are shooting the left side of the car. You can also get a great shot with the same technique but shoot the car head-on.
You just have to use some imagination! I hope this helps!

Sounds like you have lots of car experience. I can see I need that 70-200 lens that I am dreaming of!!!!

I did get a chromed engine of another car not posted here. It was a hard shot with some very bright reflections. I'm sure I'll be going to more car shows to try out some of your ideas. My husband inherited a Model A ford from his dad. We need to start working on it.

 

[Terri French]

neat shot of the Desoto. did you help the poor bloke get out of the trunk?

Those car show people do some fun things with their cars!!! That arm out of the trunk was so cute. Is the black car a Desoto. My father in law had a Desoto that my sister-in-law inherited. I didn't remember it looking quite like that car, but I am probably wrong. Not much of a car person myself--just a good wife who goes to the car shows with her husband. I have fun watching him see the cars.

 

[Terri French]

Some good shots. I think the hardest part about shooting cars is finding the right angle. Some cars look good from a low angle, some from a high one. Some are good from a side and some from the front or back. To a certain extent it helps to know about the cars so you can accentuate what makes the car unique.

Thanks for commenting. I guess in the future I'll have my husband let me know what is unique about each car.