In the world of commercial photography, photographing cars is considered something of a prestige affair. Many cars are beautiful designs,
making excellent subject matter for creative photographs. This does bring with it an added pressure because the creative photographer
needs to make sure the photographs are as perfect as the cars themselves, especially when the pictures are generally used to advertise
the cars – they need to show the cars in their best light.
The ideal shot can be the difference between an iconic car image and a failed marketing campaign, so just how do you take great
photographs of cars?
Photography Equipment
The first thing a commercial photographer needs to consider is his equipment. If you’re hoping to capture that iconic photograph for a
billboard or national advertising campaign you’ll need to make sure you’re suitably prepared. If however you’re just hoping to take a
photo of your own car to sell it then you will be able to make do with a simple digital camera.
Whichever situation best describes you, the same advice will apply for both however; make sure that you know how to use your camera and
any other equipment you are using. A professional commercial photographer makes it his business to know every aspect of his camera.
Preparation and Location
One of the most basic tips to photographing cars is to ensure that car looks its best. Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a
commercial photographer you should make sure that your subject is perfect. With cars, this means getting them cleaned thoroughly, inside
and out, and having them waxed. It’s much easier to use your photography skill and post production ability to improve a photograph than
it is to repair one that features blemishes. Basically, you can make a good photograph great or you can make a poor photograph good, but
you can rarely make a poor photograph great.
The next step is to consider the location for your photograph. You want to take your photos somewhere striking so that the car looks its
best, but not somewhere where the scenery will detract from the car itself. There are many options available for a
href="http://www.powerhousephoto.co.uk/">commercial photographer in Yorkshire looking to photograph cars because of the natural
beauty of the landscape of the area. The sweeping hillsides and sprawling countryside in Yorkshire make for an excellent backdrop for car
photography.
Your lighting is also of vital importance when photographing cars, as it is with any form of photography. The best car photography is
usually taken at dawn when the natural sunlight is just emerging. This often makes the metallic form of cars look their best. A creative
photographer would rarely choose to photograph cars in direct sunlight as the light is often too harsh and unflattering.
The final tip for a commercial photographer photographing cars is to choose your angle carefully. Most cars look better from certain
angles and finding that angle is the difficult task of a creative photographer. You will rarely get the perfect photograph from capturing
the car head on or side on, so experiment with your angle and position to make the car look great.
By following these tips you should be able to take excellent photographs of cars, whether they’re for your own personal use or for
professional use.
