My first strobe shoot with cars

[talan]

Went out late afternoon today with a few mates. Learned that shooting black and dark cars in dark conditions is SUPER tricky. White is a piece of cake (that's why I'll begin with the following photo). More to come. It's getting late and I'm tired! :rolleyes:

1.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3936137561_72d8d3940d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/3936137561/)

---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 PM ----------

2.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/3936944106_9b8ffa993d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/3936944106/)

[thirdkid]

What was your light setup?

[talan]

Lighting was only 2x Cactus KF36 strobes triggered by Cactus V4 wireless triggers. The floodlights of the building weren't on and it was already getting quite dark.

I also learned that for automotive photography strobing you would make your life easier if you have 3 + strobes, especially when shooting more than 1 car. 2 is the bare minimum for 1 car.

I have some more I will post tonight. 2x NZDM DC2 ITR

[talan]

New one.

3.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3939965527_d7aa1f9246.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/3939965527/)

---------- Post added at 09:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:04 PM ----------

4.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3940820580_a0162a100a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/3940820580/)

[thirdkid]

Im guessing you didnt have a light stand? For two strobes i reckon the ek pics are mint. Makes me think of getting another strobe.

[talan]

I have 2 light stands holding the strobes. Strobes about head height. Anyone have any advice on height and positioning?

---------- Post added at 10:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 PM ----------

Last one tonight.

5.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2500/3940918606_4dddbecc91.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/3940918606/)

[EGD]

good start talan,

here's my suggestion, leave more space between the car and the background and use a higher zoom lens to compress the photo. this way, the shadow won't show as much on the garage door. (or use another strobe to lid up the background with lower power)

here is one from my old shot
http://dfimages.net/photos/623337838_CxTym-M.jpg

the car was about 6-8 meters from the back wall, one strobe from the front and one from the side. using nikon 105DC F2 and slightly crop the img.

[smurff]

EDG, when leaving more space between teh car and wall, does using a higher zoom lens make the distance between the wall and the car seem smaller?
or is it all about the angle you take the photo on for that??

-smurff

[talan]

Good advice EGD. Totally agree with the distance to wall comment. It wasn't something I thought about but will definately take that into consideration for the future.

[Cory Varcoe]

How far you guys placing your strobes from the car? And are the strobes set to wide angle or zoom?

Nice shots guys! I havent got the hang of strobes yet, very impressive results =)

[talan]

I would say about 5 metres? And set to wide, bare flash.

6.
No flash
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3944378236_81c95cb794.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/3944378236/)

[Cory Varcoe]

Full power?

[talan]

Full power?
Yes sir!

[Cory Varcoe]

Yes sir!

That'll be my problem :p

[talan]

Quick setup shot for your reference. Getting dark quickly, and building floodlights not working

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3944407554_5dff99cb0c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/3944407554/)

HTH :cool:

[Cory Varcoe]

(Y) :cool:

[EGD]

EDG, when leaving more space between teh car and wall, does using a higher zoom lens make the distance between the wall and the car seem smaller?
or is it all about the angle you take the photo on for that??

-smurff

smurff, using zoom lens will make the pic looks more compressed, in other words, the background and subject is closer.

[smurff]

just learnt something, Thanks for that EDG, will have to remember that :D

-smurff

---------- Post added at 06:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:21 AM ----------

Quick setup shot for your reference. Getting dark quickly, and building floodlights not working

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3944407554_5dff99cb0c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/3944407554/)

HTH :cool:

is this at highbrook, behind the sign writing company and a few other little places? it looks familier and the sign in teh background is the same lol

-smurff

[talan]

is this at highbrook, behind the sign writing company and a few other little places? it looks familier and the sign in teh background is the same lol

-smurff
Yes it's in Highbrook. Im sure there are a few good industrial sites around there, but always risk getting kicked out by security

[smurff]

i work at courier post round the corner, there's an are in the dock that would be really nice, but its always busy, so would be impossible to do :(

there's a really nice big roundabout that has trees and stuff in it, would be nice if you could get a car on it lol

-smurff

[NikonF4s]

hey Talan, try to balance the ambient with the flash. The whole idea of using flash is to emphasize the car, but it needs to be subtle in my opinion, as I'm not a fan of bright spotlighting.
Look forward to seeing some more.

[talan]

hey Talan, try to balance the ambient with the flash. The whole idea of using flash is to emphasize the car, but it needs to be subtle in my opinion, as I'm not a fan of bright spotlighting.
Look forward to seeing some more.

Hey mate. Yeah I totally get what you are saying. I guess it's one of those things where you are new to it, and kind of over-do it because it's a new thing and it's really cool? Definately a learning curve in terms of controlling light with apeture, shutter speed, ISO and flash power, ambient light all combined :D