If you love cars and want to be an automotive photographer, I have some really interesting tips for you on how to shoot the best car photographs. Let’s get started!
Look Around and Ask Questions
In the modern age where everything is just a click away, searching top photo blogs is a no-brainer. Go through the best shoots, looking closely at details. Don’t be shy and ask questions on the relative forums. The forum community will guide you on getting started!
Forget your Phone’s Camera
It doesn’t matter how good your phone’s camera is, it is no match to a professional camera. Invest in a DSLR or a mirror-less. You should know that the best car photographs are only possible through a professional camera, not with iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy Edge.
Timing Matters
Timing matters especially when you are shooting outdoors. The best car photographs are either captured just a few moments before sunrise or just after sunset. Being in the UAE, we all know how beautiful the sunrises and sunsets are. Use the natural soft light and capture the best car photographs.
Be Careful with Reflections
A car’s shiny paint can show reflection of the surroundings which can either mess up the whole picture or make it even better. Work with reflections wisely. For example, if it’s cloudy, which is rather rare in the UAE, use polarisers to bring out the true color of the car. Choose an open location so that you don’t see the reflection of surrounding objects on the car. Take advantage of the desert! What good is it if you cannot take the best car photographs there?
Move Around, Choose the Best locations
You cannot just take pictures of vehicles in a garage or a showroom and call yourself an automotive photographer. There’s more to this. Work with different locations, improvise. Wake the artist in you and look around. The UAE is full of beautiful locations. Tired of photographing in the desert? Try the beach!
Capture while You’re Moving
Who says you can only take photographs standing at one place? A car’s photograph taken from another car while it’s on the move is the best way to test your skills. Focus on the moving car, the background will come somewhat blurry, which will be nothing less than a shot from a big Hollywood movie!
Long Exposure is Your Best Friend
Want to shoot on the road at night? Long exposure is what you need to go with. Get your tripod and capture the best car photographs at night.
Take a Long, Deep Look at the Vehicle
Get to know the vehicle you’re going to photograph. Not just the exterior, see the car’s interior too. You’ll be surprised to realize that you can get some really good shots of the interior too.
Look at it from different angles and decide which angle looks the best. Change your positions. Climb a lamppost if you have to and capture the best car photographs from there. Lie down on the ground, move away and widen your canvas – Don’t just stand there, automotive photography is an art and you cannot master it by just standing erect and clicking the camera.