Photo Tips: Shooting In Sweet Light

[Bassboats]

Thought I'd share a couple pro tips on how to get some great shots of your vehicle.

 

Think early/late, like before sunrise, after sunset. Park your vehicle so the sunrise/sunset sky is off to the side and behind your truck. You want the sides of the truck to act as a mirror of that beautiful sky. You'll know when the vehicle angle is right as it radiates with color. The best shots come 10-20 minutes before sunrise and 10-20 minutes after sunset.

 

Turn on the park lights and have someone in the cab to switch the headlights on/off.

 

Use manual mode. F/22 @ 4 seconds ISO 200 for start…then adjust shutter speed to get right exposure. Use tripod. Hit the shutter, signal your helper to turn headlights on and quickly off. Check exposure, adjust as needed and repeat.

 

F/16-F/22 gives "stars" in lights and turning headlights on/off keeps them from "blowing out" in the photo.

 

I've been a automotive magazine photographer for a long time…this is how I get the shots. Hope you get 'em too!

 

 

[Zane]

Hey Bruce, thanks for the tips! Were you at the 6.2L drive in Austin last month by chance? I feel like we may have crossed paths at some point.

[Bassboats]

Yes on being at the 1500 6.2L reveal. Here's one of the shots I took there: http://www.propickupmag.com/mpg-numbers-for-2014-gm-6-2l-1500s/ I'll have my review in the December issue of ProPickup.

[SarahsGMC]

Great info thanks

[Chris]

Now how about shooting in artificial light like indoors? Should a flash be used? I have a DSLR with Canon 580 EX flash

[Bassboats]

I find shooting available light (setting camera to best light source like incandescent, fluorescent, etc) is best. If you do use flash, get a filter for it that duplicates the light source. That way your images don't get "mixed" lighting when the flash goes off. And use the flash for "fill" the shadows, not as the primary light source.