If this isn't a reminder to go out and use my camera more, I don't know what is.
Photography by David S. Wallens
Let’s be honest: The internet is awash in crappy photos of cool cars. You might have contributed some. We have.
We have shared tips from a pro on how to do a full, proper photo shoot of your car, but what about those pressed for time?
Can you bang out something passable in less than a minute? How about less than half a minute?
We recently did so with our E46-chassis BMW M3.
According to the time stamps, we spent less than 20 seconds at this location. Our first image–taken as soon as we got out of the car–was shot at 4:38:14 p.m. We took 13 images total, the last one captured at 4:38:32 p.m.
Our goal: A clean, simple photo of our M3 that gave off a motorsports vibe. And we didn’t have a full minute to spare.
Step 1: Location, location, location.
We were at Daytona International Speedway. The car was also at Daytona International Speedway.
See where we’re going here?
Sure, putting the car on the high banks for a shoot would be cool, but we only had a few seconds to work with.
How about just putting the car in front of the garages? Can that fulfill our goal of capturing a cool car at the track?
So we parked the M3 in front of the Speedway’s Blue Garages–which, on this day, also doubled as media parking meaning we were already there.
Note that there’s a slight angle between the car and the garages because we’re cool like that.
Step 2: Let there be light
There aren’t any harsh shadows, either, because we picked a location (see Step 1) that was well lit. And by “well lit,” we mean soft, diffused light.
In this case, the sun is setting forward of our right headlight. As a result, the car is totally in the shade.
Step 3: Camera settings
As we were pressed for time–seriously, the car is warming up here as we had to get going–we used our iPhone. And not even a new, fancy iPhone but “just” an iPhone XS. No other settings, no fancy apps.
Our camera gear was in the trunk the entire time.
Step 4: Car prep
We then spent a few moments getting the car ready.
First, notice that it’s relatively clean because we keep it that way.
Windows should be all the way up or down.
Front wheels are straight because we know they photograph well in that position.
Running lights might have added to the shot but, again, we were rushing.
Step 5: Now let’s take some pictures.
We snapped the first photo at 4:38:14. We’re standing upright and didn’t use any of the camera’s zoom.
The shot looks okay but a little meh. We can do better.
Does trading pavement for sky help? This was taken at 4:38:15.
How about using the camera’s built-in zoom to add a little excitement as the view now differs from what you usually see? This also flattens the image a bit while making the car look more dramatic. This photo taken at 4:38:26.
Again, let’s trade some pavement for sky. Looking a bit more dramatic, right? It’s now 4:38:28.
What if we crouch a bit to create even more drama? Again, we’re alerting the view a bit more. Looking better. This image taken at 4:38:31. But is there too much ground? Maybe?
It’s now 4:38:32, and we’ve spent nearly 20 seconds here. As we figured, trading some road for sky seems to have helped. Let’s call that a wrap as we accomplished our goal: a cool, decent photo of the M3.
Would Ansel Adams approve of our quickie photo shoot? Maybe, maybe not. The lighting could be better. Maybe moving away from a downspout would have helped.
However, in just a few seconds, we quickly got something in the can.
If this isn't a reminder to go out and use my camera more, I don't know what is.
While the car does look good with the wheels straight I've always felt that in the classic front 3/4 view that cutting the wheels a bit towards the camera was even better. I think it looks, or maybe feels, more dynamic. Part of what makes cars so exciting is that they move and having the wheels turned provides a hint of that in a static image.
In reply to APEowner :
I think you can try both. Sometimes a bit too much tread looks weird. Sometimes too little tread looks weird. I say try all.
In this case, I've been happier with the car's looks with the wheels dead ahead.
Plus, I only had 20 seconds....
David S. Wallens said:In reply to APEowner :
I think you can try both. Sometimes a bit too much tread looks weird. Sometimes too little tread looks weird. I say try all.
In this case, I've been happier with the car's looks with the wheels dead ahead.
Plus, I only had 20 seconds....
Yeah, I've tried the wheels turned thing and I don't care for it. Looks too much like I'm trying to be Car & Driver. :)
Rather than the downspout pipe, the background thing that stands out to me is the little patch of blue on the wall just peeking over the hood.
In reply to APEowner :
I'm partial to this angle; the person who took this is a hobbyist professional.
"Our camera gear was in the trunk the entire time."
Some of my favorite random shots happen when all my stuff is neatly packed away and its too much hassle to get it all out . Nope, boom 20 seconds, phone shot, done.
In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :
I both like and don't like that patch of blue above the hood.
If I had another 5 seconds, yeah, I could have rolled the car forward or backward.
But note that we're discussing the fine points. The big stuff has been handled. Once you have the basics, now you can fine tune things. This is all good stuff.
Something I don't like about the final shot; there's medium blue on the building behind a dark blue car. Higher contrast would have resulted from just white building behind the car. I think the eye can be drawn to that odd junction point where medium and dark blue meet. If there was a section of just white wall available, that would have been nicer, I believe.
Kevin_at_BW said:"Our camera gear was in the trunk the entire time."
Some of my favorite random shots happen when all my stuff is neatly packed away and its too much hassle to get it all out . Nope, boom 20 seconds, phone shot, done.
Yup. If you didn't get the photo, you didn't get the photo. Be prepared and all that.
Along those lines, in school we had to carry our camera with us. All the time.
Once, while driving home from class, I came across an armored car that had gone off the road and flipped. Police and fire were already on the scene. Big mess.
I had my camera right there with me so I parked, got out of the car, and grabbed some photos.
Long story short, I made the cover of the next day's paper–both morning and evening editions.
See also: I'm okay with creating some tension if the overall image releases it.
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