Any budding photographers in the Herts area?

[MrFrodo]

Next weekend I need to take some photos for a road test to be published online. I was just planning to take some static shots myself, but I thought I'd see if anyone else fancied getting involved?

I'm afraid I can't offer you any money and the subject isn't anything especially exotic (it's a warm hatch not a 250 GTO...) but you'd get photo credits in the article and a cup of Starbucks' finest for your trouble.

[K12beano]

Sounds interesting. I've never really managed a proper go at automotive, but could possibly be around as an extra pair of hands and try try my (limited) skills.....

Whereabouts? (I'm Watford/Rickmansworth area)

[ChipsAndCheese]

Not sure what I've got on next weekend, but I'd also be interested in turning up if I can make it. I'm based around the St. Albans/Hemel Hempstead/Berkhamsted area but don't mind travelling a bit.

[MrFrodo]

I don't have a location yet in mind - open to suggestions - but I was thinking of something in the Hertford sort of area. I've only got the car for a week so it would have to be this weekend, preferably Saturday.

[K12beano]

MrFrodo said:

I don't have a location yet in mind - open to suggestions ....

Urban, industrial, Rural, road, bridge....?

The last car shot I took that was any good was 30 months ago!

Near Rickmansworth:
Tuscan 547 - Canal by Beano!, on Flickr

[MrFrodo]

K12beano said:

rban, industrial, Rural, road, bridge....?

The last car shot I took that was any good was 30 months ago!

Near Rickmansworth:
Tuscan 547 - Canal by Beano!, on Flickr

Just had exactly the same discussion in the Hertfordshire section! Well, it's an affordable modern car so photographic convention dictates it should be a contemporary setting.

In reality, though, I'm looking for any interesting backdrop where I can park the car up for a few minutes without inconveniencing anyone.

Would also like to do a few basic panning shots if I can lure someone else out to operate the camera.

[ChipsAndCheese]

Hmm, not too sure on locations - I've never done a staged car shoot, just normally opportunistic shots at shows/events or out and about. There is the Ashridge estate in Berkhamsted with some open countryside and tree-covered woodland roads and Ashridge House (Ashridge Management College) which is a stunning backdrop. Also some nice hills by Ivinghoe beacon. Also got canals and castle ruins in Berkhamsted, but it's not always easy to get a car next to either.

I don't really know the Hertford area so haven't got any suggestions over that way.

[C2james]

do some shots at goodwood, i will help out.

[MrFrodo]

ChipsAndCheese said:

Hmm, not too sure on locations - I've never done a staged car shoot, just normally opportunistic shots at shows/events or out and about. There is the Ashridge estate in Berkhamsted with some open countryside and tree-covered woodland roads and Ashridge House (Ashridge Management College) which is a stunning backdrop. Also some nice hills by Ivinghoe beacon. Also got canals and castle ruins in Berkhamsted, but it's not always easy to get a car next to either.

I don't really know the Hertford area so haven't got any suggestions over that way.

The last car shoot I was involved with got moved on by armed police. It was on one of the roads running past the side of Buckingham Palace to be fair.

There's some beautiful countryside on the Herts/Essex border that I may head out to (not to mention some entertaining roads).

[K12beano]

MrFrodo said:

The last car shoot I was involved with got moved on by armed police.

Rrrrrright... .... will bear this in mind!

There's (obviously) Hatfield Tunnel, for moving shots....



Head up the A10 for shots around Reed across lots of countryside views or lines of trees? (Plus there's the Silver Ball for a cuppa and bacon sarnie!)

[MrFrodo]

K12beano said:

MrFrodo said:

The last car shoot I was involved with got moved on by armed police.

Rrrrrright... .... will bear this in mind!

There's (obviously) Hatfield Tunnel, for moving shots....

Head up the A10 for shots around Reed across lots of countryside views or lines of trees? (Plus there's the Silver Ball for a cuppa and bacon sarnie!)

Could do. Tracking shots obviously require a suitable camera car and someone to drive it (plus someone to photograph from it) but they're not too difficult to do in my limited experience of such things. Got this one sat on the tailgate of a Peugeot 207 hire car:


If you're up for it I'll drop you a PM to arrange a time and location.

[K12beano]

MrFrodo said:

If you're up for it I'll drop you a PM to arrange a time and location.

Nice Saggy

Yup - pencil me in (can't be 100% sure 'til a bit later in the week.....)

[Chebs]

MrFrodo said:

road test to be published online. I was just planning to take some static shots myself.

Just a wee tip: If it's a road test, be sure you get some shots of it being tested on road (driven).

[MrFrodo]

Chebs said:

MrFrodo said:

road test to be published online. I was just planning to take some static shots myself.

Just a wee tip: If it's a road test, be sure you get some shots of it being tested on road (driven).

True, but that's not easy if I'm the only with a camera and the only one insured to drive the car. Hence popping on here to see if anyone wants to help out with the former. The other option is I'd used the manufacturer's shots for dynamic photos and a few of my own for the rest.

Edited by MrFrodo on Tuesday 16th October 11:36

[MrFrodo]

Looks like we might get away without being rained on!

Any tips from the more seasoned car photographers out there?

[rxtx]

There are some nice spots around the Dane End/Benington way. I'm in Hertford but car photography is not my forte

[ChipsAndCheese]

Thanks for the PM MrFrodo, but I could only spare a couple of hours now tomorrow, and I think that location is a bit far away for me to get to for such a short time. Post up the pictures on here though afterwards, as I would be keen to see them.

[MrFrodo]

ChipsAndCheese said:

Thanks for the PM MrFrodo, but I could only spare a couple of hours now tomorrow, and I think that location is a bit far away for me to get to for such a short time. Post up the pictures on here though afterwards, as I would be keen to see them.

No worries. Will do.

(That reminds me, I should probably change the username back now ... I only swapped it round when I wanted to enquire about engagement rings. My Tolkein reference sounds a tad geeky out of context. )

[Chebs]

MrFrodo said:

Chebs said:

MrFrodo said:

road test to be published online. I was just planning to take some static shots myself.

Just a wee tip: If it's a road test, be sure you get some shots of it being tested on road (driven).

True, but that's not easy if I'm the only with a camera and the only one insured to drive the car. Hence popping on here to see if anyone wants to help out with the former. The other option is I'd used the manufacturer's shots for dynamic photos and a few of my own for the rest.

Edited by MrFrodo on Tuesday 16th October 11:36

Ah, yes, that might hold you back.

[K12beano]

Well, I learnt a couple of things.


Panning skills are quite a difficult matter when you're close up and wide - start less ambitiously!
Don't put lenses in pockets and expect them to stay there
Don't keep gluing up busted lens hoods - it's time to buy a replacement (see above)
Remember to turn bracketing off once you've finished with it
Shooting Bank Menu is a right pain on Nikons - oh, I already knew that!

I only took 200+ shots, from which four or five might be "OK" - take more not less!




Suzuki Swift Sport 16-4 by Beano!, on Flickr


Suzuki Swift Sport 16-2 by Beano!, on Flickr

It wouldn't be my next car (and you don't seem to get much for the price ) but an interesting little roller skate, nonetheless....

So thanks for the opportunity Mr Frodo!