1st car show----Disaster!! The small town I live in was having a BBQ Cook Off today and one of the side events was a small car show. I had never attempted to take any car show photos...

TNmike Loc: NW TN

The small town I live in was having a BBQ Cook Off today and one of the side events was a small car show. I had never attempted to take any car show photos so decided I would be there when the gates opened this 9:00 AM this morning a give it a try. I'm not sure just how many ways there are to screw photo's up during a car show shoot but I'm pretty sure I covered most of them today. Blown highlights, reflections, poor composition, 'self portrait' ( I got a lot of those) along with many other screw ups. Out of about 250 shots there were only a few OK shots but really not any good ones. It was fun though and I did learn a lot--really really look close with all of the shinny paint, chrome, bright sun, people, etc. I'll give it a try again when I get the chance. Here are a couple of my classic oops shots.

Good shot of me in the chrome radiator

Managed to get my reflection 4 times in one shot

jfantasma

I think you did it on purpose so we knew you actually took the picture LOL. It is pretty hard not to get your reflection on these old super shiny cars I have some like that too. With me it is just that I get so excited looking at the cars I forget to pay attention to everything else! Plus it is so hard to see in the little viewfinder or on the screen if there will be a reflection too. I think we have all had disasters at some point or another. Mine are every time I shoot. I think they are pretty good pictures though a little reflection never hurt but it is all in your own perspective you are the artist. Next time just build a big backdrop behind it and shoot from a distance!

Just a little humor. Good shots though at least I like them anyway

TNmike Loc: NW TN

I was wishing I had a giant diffuser to soften the sun. :) Most of the cars were facing north or south so the 10:00 sun was really blasting one side and the cars were so close together the other side was lighted by the reflecting sun of the car next to it. I tried the CPL but it was pretty much useless with the direction of the sun and all of the shinny paint.

jk48 Loc: Camarillo, California

TNmike wrote:

I was wishing I had a giant diffuser to soften the sun. :) Most of the cars were facing north or south so the 10:00 sun was really blasting one side and the cars were so close together the other side was lighted by the reflecting sun of the car next to it. I tried the CPL but it was pretty much useless with the direction of the sun and all of the shinny paint.

Try cropping the red one tighter.,..and straigtening it...if you have photo software try turning it into a vintage black and white and add some film grain to it....

also add some contrast to the photos..you can carefully clone yourself out of the fender..will be hard to do because of the shine....did you try shooting from the other fenders and getting low as possible to keep your reflection out of the cars..

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

TNmike wrote:

I was wishing I had a giant diffuser to soften the sun. :) Most of the cars were facing north or south so the 10:00 sun was really blasting one side and the cars were so close together the other side was lighted by the reflecting sun of the car next to it. I tried the CPL but it was pretty much useless with the direction of the sun and all of the shinny paint.

Close grouping and harsh lights are always THE challenge for shooting car shows.

TNmike Loc: NW TN

I didn't do any editing on these but yes they can be improved with PP. I do have several shots that can be made acceptable with a little PP. I was just frustrated with myself for not seeing things that I should have when taking many of the shots. And the bright sun and bright paint was a challenge for me.

ckcougar Loc: NATIVE FLORIDIAN

Don't feel bad... great photographers shoot hundreds of pics for just the right ONE or so they tell me. I am fairly new and bet I get one good shot every 200-500 I take.

jk48 Loc: Camarillo, California

ckcougar wrote:

Don't feel bad... great photographers shoot hundreds of pics for just the right ONE or so they tell me. I am fairly new and bet I get one good shot every 200-500 I take.

That's right..it took 380 some shots to get 3 good bees...sad but true..

Doe Loc: N, Augusta, South Carolina

Here's the good thing from your experience with photographing cars. From now on, you will always be aware of where your reflection/shadow is....actually, you might even be aware of where your reflection/shadow is in any of your pictures. So there is a positive from it.

And just so you know, that is exactly how I learned. LOL But look at the idea it gave me. My nephew's reflection in his own car!

jk48 Loc: Camarillo, California

Doe wrote:

Here's the good thing from your experience with photographing cars. From now on, you will always be aware of where your reflection/shadow is....actually, you might even be aware of where your reflection/shadow is in any of your pictures. So there is a positive from it.

And just so you know, that is exactly how I learned. LOL But look at the idea it gave me. My nephew's reflection in his own car!

This is good..reflection fits in..not an accident but thought out..that is because he does not have a camera in his hand

TNmike Loc: NW TN

Nice shot DOE. My problem was in every reflection that I saw was 3 or 4 other cars and/or 1-4 people. And then when I thought I had things right there I was in the reflection. I had read and knew car shows were a challenge but I just didn't realize how much so until this AM. Oh, I'll do it again and hopefully I've learned a little and will improve next time. I understand even indoors lights and reflections are still challenging. I do have some decent photos and the ones posted were just some where I was showing how I wasn't looking at everything in the frame when I clicked the shutter. TNmike

Doe Loc: N, Augusta, South Carolina

jk48 wrote:

quote=Doe Here's the good thing from your experie... (show quote)

Thank you. The car has the factory paint and I am an amateur with my camera, so it's not the best and it's a little distorted. But, I love the concept.

Doe Loc: N, Augusta, South Carolina

TNmike wrote:

Nice shot DOE. My problem was in every reflection... (show quote)

Car shows are really hard to do because of all the people and other cars parked so close. It's almost a waste of time, even when you are only getting a picture of part of the car.

bbboomer Loc: Kingwood,Texas

I have felt your frustration. I shoot outdoor car events a LOT and the close quarters,shadows and bad lighting are a huge challenge! I shot over 700 images last year at the 2011 Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion and learned a lot about what not to do! After a lot of practice,research, and some scheduled equipment rental, I am going back this year(Aug 17-19)to try again.With over 550 vintage race cars including 25+ historical Nascar entries and possibly the largest gathering of Shelby Cobra cars ever to celebrate 50 yrs of the Cobra I hope to improve a LOT over last year
Try this site:
http://www.carphototutorials.com
It is a great site that covers everything from basic equipment needed to solutions to common problems encountered in automotive/motorsport photography Here are a couple of shots from last year...such as they are!
more at www.facebook.com/houstonmotorsportsnews
Good Luck!

Race Cobra

McLaren Can-Am Car

Aston-Martin racer in polished aluminum

Raider Fan Loc: Lake County, IL.

I would not worry about the reflections they are almosr unavoidable at a custom car show. So much chrome it almost blinds you. I have been there and I said i can't do anything about most of the time. There are many folks that like to pontificate about how things are done and I just ignore them! Do what pleases you!!