Photo Shooting Tips
by Robert H. Jacobvitz

Lighting often makes the difference between an excellent image and a mediocre one. It is generally best to photograph the car in the early morning or in the evening when the sun is rising or setting, or when the sky is overcast. Avoid the harsh midday glare of the sun. Position the camera between the sun and the car if possible (i.e. with the sun at your back). If this is not possible, use a flash, even though outdoors (use of a flash outdoors is called a fill flash). If shooting in the harsh midday sun is necessary, a polarizing filter can cut down on glare and improve saturation. A polarizing filter also can create a dramatic effect of clouds in the sky.

Generally, use the aperture priority (AV) mode. The photographer adjusts the f stop, and shutter speed is adjusted automatically.

Experiment with different f stops and focal lengths. Create background blur by using a lower f stop or longer focal length lens, and/or by placing the camera closer to the car. Generally use an f stop of 7.1 or higher to get the entire car in focus shot from an angle.

Experiment with different angles, looking for angles that highlight gloss or reflectivity or make interesting photos.

Take lots of photos. Using digital cameras, there is little or no additional expense to capture more images. Experiment capturing the same image using different f stops and different exposure compensation settings, and take photos varying the angle a little at a time. Review the images later, and pick the best ones. Particularly for a subject not in motion, this is easy to do.

Learn to use exposure compensation. It slows down or speeds up the shutter speed for a given aperture. Taking the same photo several times with the exposure compensation decreased and increased often results in at least one good photo when the photos otherwise would have been underexposed or overexposed. It is better to err by slightly underexposing an image than overexposing it. Exposure can be increased using processing software.

Learn to use the live histogram, if available on the camera, to avoid underexposing or overexposing the image, and a histogram for post processing. Tutorials are available on understanding histograms.

Learn to use the RAW mode, which among other things, allows the white balance to be set using post processing software irrespective of the camera setting.

Use a tripod if the shutter speed is less than approximately 1/125, or at higher shutter speeds using a longer focal length lens.

If intending to capture a particular part of the car, such as a headlight or tail light, consider applying the Rule of Thirds.

Except for reflection shots and shots of beading, or photographing something like the roof or hood, in general do not photograph the car by shooting down at it or too far down at it.

Don’t be afraid to fill the frame with the car, or to fill a good part of the frame with the car, unless wishing to capture background scenery or to use a nearby object to balance the composition.

Detail the car before photographing it.

If shooting in your driveway or on concrete, sweep the concrete, and if you have just washed the car wait for the concrete to dry.

Use software to enhance the image, such as Photoshop, but do not over process the image. Common adjustments include white balance or color temperature (if shooting in the RAW mode), contrast, sharpening, and saturation. There are many other available adjustments.

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