[richy]

here's an article from Detail City (I hadn't been on there since last July, LOL). Anyway, thought this article deserved attention:
Automobile/Motorcar Photography Tips by Curt Scott

[brianja]

Thanks for the link

I read through most of the article and it seems like the author just says the same thing over and over again (use fill flash).

Not that that is bad advice, but there are a lot of other details that deserve attention. Composition, use of polarizing filters to eliminate reflections, small details like turning the cars wheels so that the camera sees the face of the wheel and not the tread of the tires...

Some of these were mentioned briefly.

It seemed like the target audience was intended to be people trying to sell a car and not necessarily those wanting to take the most striking photos of one.

Still worth a read, though.

Thanks, again.

[Nica]

Question, brianja you mention polarizing filters...why would you want to elimitate reflection? Do you mean the bright reflection of the lights? Or reflection of your self?

I don't quite understand the purpose of polarizers

[Scott's Mobile Detailing]

think of it as putting sun glasses on your camera (lens)

[Nica]

oh okay, so why have so many? I mean which is for what?

[brianja]

here's a quick example.

The "without" has stronger reflections, while the "with" has much more even tonality. Also notice the lack of reflections in the glass.

You really only need one circular polarizer for a lens. It is adjustable to get the desired results. You purchase one of the proper size for the threads on the lens you are working with.

without:



with:

[Nica]

Okay thank you for sharin that brianja, but on the picture "with" still has some reflection on the head lights??? But I see what you mean about the reflection on the winshield, also on the hood it has less reflection..um...but the picture "with" also apperas to be under shade? Does that effect it? I'm assuming it would as less light is hitting the vehicle directly.

So are there different grades of polarizers? If so why? How do I know which one to get and how do I know when to use the appropriate porlarizer?

I mean if they are like sunglasses, then there different kinds of grades from some that hardly let any light through to soem that let much more light through so if that's the case how to pick? I'm assuming based on the type of lighting you'r up against...so you would use a type of polarzer that lets more light through when your at a car show and a nother one that lets less light through when your out in the natural sun light? Is that right?

[brianja]

The polarizer just lets you adjust the reflections.

Because a car is an object with many surfaces all at different angles to the camera lens it cannot really get rid of all of them. That's why on the "with" image the reflections are minimized on the hood and windshield, but are strong on the side of the car and headlights.

Essentially you look through the viewfinder, adjust the polarizer through its full range and decide which effect you like the best.


I don't know if I explained that well.

[Nica]

Oh okay so a polarizer is kinda like a lense when you adjust to get the apperance you want...huh...I didn't know that about polarizers, I thought they were like UV protection.

That helps brianja, so is there a range of polarizers? How much are these polarizers? What's the range? Just wondering that's all.

[brianja]

I missed half of your post. Sorry.

Polarizers are easy. Basically there are lots of types, but they just get better and more expensive. There are little tradeoffs. Just get the best for your budget.

1 - Try to get a circular polarizer. This will allow you to change the camera orientation (and on some lenses focus) without ruining your polarizer settings.

2 - Get a multi coated polarizer. this just makes the filter more effective.

3 - Buy the filter that has the correct diameter for your lens. The lens will say what size you need right on it. Usually something around 68mm, 72mm, etc..

One good CP does all you will need.

Basically, you will thread the CP onto the front of your lens. then, frame your shot in the viewfinder and grab the polarizer with your fingertips.

Rotate the front element of the polarizer and watch the results in the viewfinder. Snap the photo when you like what you see.

A CP can perform the functions we have spoken about here in regard to automotive photography. It can also be used to make skies bluer (cut down reflection of sunlight off of water vapor in the air).