Honda S2000 - one shot
Discussion
My new approach to photographing cars means I look to get one or two pictures that I like, rather than taking a frenzied approach and sorting out the results when I get home. I planned this shoot in detail, I drew diagrams, scouted the location, worked out how to deal with reflections in a black car and worked out exactly the results I wanted to get.
Then when I got there I had equipment problems - specifically the optical triggers for my remote flashes would constantly fire themselves despite not being in any sort of direct light.
In any case, I had two pictures in mind and only managed to get one of them - it's not quite what I wanted as the car isn't as well lit as I imagined - mainly because I only had one flash instead of three.
Enough talk - here's the picture - what do you think?
Personally I think it suffers from the lack of light on the car - I'm definately going to pick up some radio triggers now, the optical ones simply don't cut it in the field. I'm sure they work in a studio but that's not much use!
On the plus side I've found what could be a quality location for a couple more shoots, so it's not all bad news.
Then when I got there I had equipment problems - specifically the optical triggers for my remote flashes would constantly fire themselves despite not being in any sort of direct light.
In any case, I had two pictures in mind and only managed to get one of them - it's not quite what I wanted as the car isn't as well lit as I imagined - mainly because I only had one flash instead of three.
Enough talk - here's the picture - what do you think?
Personally I think it suffers from the lack of light on the car - I'm definately going to pick up some radio triggers now, the optical ones simply don't cut it in the field. I'm sure they work in a studio but that's not much use!
On the plus side I've found what could be a quality location for a couple more shoots, so it's not all bad news.
I like the work, sounds very thorough and the pic is very good. As you say, bringing more light onto the car would focus the eye better on the subject. There's a lot of sky in the pic, but I'm not certain that cropping some of it out would do much good as the clouds and colour work well. I wouldn't mind seeing a slightly lower shot and getting more light through the windscreen - I don't really know why!
Nice idea, you are right about the lack of light on the car - I cant see any fill light on it at all. It takes a lot of power to light a dark coloured car!
I'd suggest:
(a) Shoot from lower down. This will give you a more dynamic view of the car, and separate the upper part of the car from the distracting tree lines.
(b) I'd also try getting a little closer, I think this focal length flattens some of the curves of the S2000. (A happy side benefit is this will make your remote flash trigger a bit more reliable)
(c) Take the shot against a darker sky, you'll probably get more interesting colours just before the sky loses all light & you'll have less contrast against the car which will make lighting it easier.
Dont be afraid to composite a few different flash exposures if you're not 100% happy. As an example I did this test shot using all of the above:
I'd suggest:
(a) Shoot from lower down. This will give you a more dynamic view of the car, and separate the upper part of the car from the distracting tree lines.
(b) I'd also try getting a little closer, I think this focal length flattens some of the curves of the S2000. (A happy side benefit is this will make your remote flash trigger a bit more reliable)
(c) Take the shot against a darker sky, you'll probably get more interesting colours just before the sky loses all light & you'll have less contrast against the car which will make lighting it easier.
Dont be afraid to composite a few different flash exposures if you're not 100% happy. As an example I did this test shot using all of the above:
Thanks for the comments/advice chaps! I'm definitely going to invest in some radio triggers now, I've got a string of cars lined up to shoot so I'll be getting plenty of practice in.
Civicman - I tried using some gradient masks to bring out the car but it always ended up very noisy, so I didn't bother in the end.
Civicman - I tried using some gradient masks to bring out the car but it always ended up very noisy, so I didn't bother in the end.
I'm supposed to be in Venice right now, but seeing as sleazyjet cancelled our flight and thus wrecked the entire holiday (gory details if you care), I find myself at a bit of a loose end.
Just looking through the shots again and found this one - lower angle, and with a bit of tweaking the exposure on the car looks better - an improvement?
A couple of others from the same session - these are at ISO800 which I've decided is useless, and I wont push the ISO that high again.
And I'll sneak one in of my ugly little Ignis too, can't have too many car pictures on this forum if you ask me.
Just looking through the shots again and found this one - lower angle, and with a bit of tweaking the exposure on the car looks better - an improvement?
A couple of others from the same session - these are at ISO800 which I've decided is useless, and I wont push the ISO that high again.
And I'll sneak one in of my ugly little Ignis too, can't have too many car pictures on this forum if you ask me.
Edited by _dobbo_ on Monday 7th April 17:03
Can i ask why your going for radio triggers?? Just buy a cheap flashgun with manual setting, pretty much all of them have a pilot or test button. Alot of evening shots on ISO of 100 with a decent f number mean you'll be on 10seconds exposures at least, where you have more than enough time to run round with the 1 flash in ur hand and fire it a few times. Just an option. Better than a few hundred on pocket wizards etc.
I see where you're coming from with the whole running around thing, but that really limits you to either shooting in pitch black, or using a very small aperture and filters to shut out as much light as possible.
I want my flashes to be able to illuminate a subject irrespective of the ambient lighting conditions - which requires radio triggers. I am however thinking more along the lines of £20 ebay ones, rather than £300 pocket wizards! Something along the lines of this, or similar;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hot-Shoe-Flash-Wireless-Radi...
I want my flashes to be able to illuminate a subject irrespective of the ambient lighting conditions - which requires radio triggers. I am however thinking more along the lines of £20 ebay ones, rather than £300 pocket wizards! Something along the lines of this, or similar;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hot-Shoe-Flash-Wireless-Radi...
_dobbo_ said:
I see where you're coming from with the whole running around thing, but that really limits you to either shooting in pitch black, or using a very small aperture and filters to shut out as much light as possible.
I want my flashes to be able to illuminate a subject irrespective of the ambient lighting conditions - which requires radio triggers. I am however thinking more along the lines of £20 ebay ones, rather than £300 pocket wizards! Something along the lines of this, or similar;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hot-Shoe-Flash-Wireless-Radi...
I want my flashes to be able to illuminate a subject irrespective of the ambient lighting conditions - which requires radio triggers. I am however thinking more along the lines of £20 ebay ones, rather than £300 pocket wizards! Something along the lines of this, or similar;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hot-Shoe-Flash-Wireless-Radi...
I got my Radio triggers in the post today
Same type as the ones you linked to
Been playing with them around the house and they seem to work a treat! they feel a lot better built than I was expecting as well!
I ordered from the only UK supplier I could find on ebay
shall have a proper play with them this evening, the range is rather impressive and I can stick a flash inside the car, and take snaps from outside
Its going to be great learning to use them, really means for under £50 I have a remote flash that is adjustable and can go anywhere! (still waiting for my second to turn up)
Out of interest Dobbo, what are you mounting them on? i was going to use one of the mini tripods I got bundled with a compact, but these flashes topple them
_dobbo_ said:
I want my flashes to be able to illuminate a subject irrespective of the ambient lighting conditions - which requires radio triggers. I am however thinking more along the lines of £20 ebay ones, rather than £300 pocket wizards!
Radio is great. But there's an answer that's cheaper than Pocket Wizards and and bit nicer than Chinese £10 specials: http://www.theflashcentre.com/elinchrom-skyport-un...I use it when clients are about as it looks a whole lot nicer than a £10 special, though it's more fiddly to use.
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