Settings and gear for car shows: I’m curious about what focal length and aperture settings you would use at car shows that would be suitable for blurring out distracting backgrounds.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I’m curious about what focal length and aperture settings you would use at car shows that would be suitable for blurring out distracting backgrounds. Most of the car show shots I see are pin sharp to infinity and all that clutter distracts from the subject. A wide open aperture would be good for starters but then there’s focal length and crowd control to take into consideration.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I've struggled with that too. Even wide open, I can't blur out the distractions without blurring out parts of the car. My favorite car prints required serious masking in Photoshop. With recent Lightroom Classic updates, masking out the background has become a lot easier.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

bsprague wrote:

I've struggled with that too. Even wide open, I can't blur out the distractions without blurring out parts of the car. My favorite car prints required serious masking in Photoshop. With recent Lightroom Classic updates, masking out the background has become a lot easier.

I've used Elements to turn the background to B&W on some or give a background blur to others.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

gvarner wrote:

I've used Elements to turn the background to B&W on some or give a background blur to others.

One of my personal favorites was one I shot in an Arizona parking lot at high noon with crowds everywhere. I blacked out everything but the body work. The people, other cars and even me are in the reflection.

(Download)

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

bsprague wrote:

One of my personal favorites was one I shot in an Arizona parking lot at high noon with crowds everywhere. I blacked out everything but the body work. The people, other cars and even me are in the reflection.

Love it.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Why not concentrate on isolating certain elements of the vehicles and using out of focus and Bokeh to your advantage... Maybe tail lights, hood ornaments, Leading lines of fins etc... Maybe even reflections off chrome. Hand held with good IBIS system should result in some great shots.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

MrBob wrote:

Why not concentrate on isolating certain elements of the vehicles and using out of focus and Bokeh to your advantage... Maybe tail lights, hood ornaments, Leading lines of fins etc... Maybe even reflections off chrome. Hand held with good IBIS system should result in some great shots.

Right. Moving in on detail limits the clutter. I could also check my DoF preview too to see if I’m getting a decent effect.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

gvarner wrote:

Right. Moving in on detail limits the clutter. I could also check my DoF preview too to see if I’m getting a decent effect.

Yep, sounds good... We started having " Third Saturday " car show and downtown celebrations on the 3rd. Saturday of the month during the season in my local small Alabama mountain town and I plan on getting out and trying my luck on some of the classic cars displayed as well as the goings on this upcoming year. Get out there and give me some inspiration... Luckily digital film is cheap and you can try out all sorts of Aperture, DOF combinations.

rcarol

gvarner wrote:

I’m curious about what focal length and aperture settings you would use at car shows that would be suitable for blurring out distracting backgrounds. Most of the car show shots I see are pin sharp to infinity and all that clutter distracts from the subject. A wide open aperture would be good for starters but then there’s focal length and crowd control to take into consideration.

You can shoot at whatever aperture you want to get the entire car in focus. Then you can use the depth blur neural filter in Photoshop to blur the background while keeping the car sharp. I've included an image of my SUV where I have done what I said.

(Download)

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Loaded question. Outdoor or indoor? Can you use a tripod? If so you can use a long exposure to get rid of anything that moves. Use a circular polarizer to get rid of reflections.

If it’s indoor like a museum you usually can’t use a tripod, monopod, flash, etc so get closer and shoot wide open, auto ISO. I’ve gotten some of my best shots with a nifty 50 and a cp.

Canisdirus

First gear is always important.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

bsprague wrote:

One of my personal favorites was one I shot in an Arizona parking lot at high noon with crowds everywhere. I blacked out everything but the body work. The people, other cars and even me are in the reflection.

I know who owns that car. He lives in Lake Havasu City.

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

And... bring a polarizing filter. For chromed parts mostly although some of the high gloss paint do not photograph well.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

bsprague wrote:

One of my personal favorites was one I shot in an Arizona parking lot at high noon with crowds everywhere. I blacked out everything but the body work. The people, other cars and even me are in the reflection.

I tend to keep the crowds - lots of people illustrate the importance of the main subject.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

bsprague wrote:

One of my personal favorites was one I shot in an Arizona parking lot at high noon with crowds everywhere. I blacked out everything but the body work. The people, other cars and even me are in the reflection.

Having shot many car shows, including SEMA, I really appreciate this amazing shot.
You shot an Amazing Pic in Horrible Conditions!
I Love car shows and this pic makes me . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu