lilmsmaggie said:
Following a suggestion to check out this area of CR. Very nice shots!
Thought I'd try my hand at photographing cars. Just wondering what what be a good combination to photograph an outdoor classic car show coming up next weekend. The widest lens I have for a crop-body is the EF-S 17-55 f2.8 and for FF: 24-105 f4. There may be some open-house events where cars will be on display inside custom auto shops but this will be my first time attending this event, I'm not really sure. If the event goes until say 8 pm in the evening, then the 17-55 might be the best way to go.
Suggestions and recommendations welcome ;D
Well most of mine were taken with an old 40D and a 17-55mm, was so sharp on that body. Some taken with the 7D and 17-55mm and others taken with my 5DMKIII and a 24-105mm.
I think you have the bases covered. I would take a prime for low light large DOF, maybe a macro for details and if you get chance a 70-200mm F2.8 is nice to compress perspective with things around going on, then blur the background out to reduce distraction. But can be a pain if there are a lot of people around. I kept the 17-55mm when I shot crop and 24-105mm on FF. Ive been shooting cars for years commercially and neither have let me down. Now I keep the 24-105mm on my FF body and 70-200mm on the Crop body and carry two so I dont need to change lenses.
One last thing to take is a flash with a diffuser, just to fill. Can be very useful and if done correctly no-one would ever know.
You have to be careful. few tips - 17mm close up will distort the car, Better off using 35mm and above to keep distortion at bay. Although can look good, depends what your after.
BMW Z4M Coupe CSL Wheels by
TomScottPhoto, on Flickr
BMW E46 M3, Alston, Hartside, Cumbria, CSL wheels by
TomScottPhoto, on Flickr
I would suggest get low, down to the cars hight don't shoot down. Otherwise the car wont look natural and its tell tale signs of amateurish photography. I am always lying on the floor or on one knee when I shoot cars.
Use a tele to compress the perspective bring the background closer.
BMW Z4M Coupe rear by
TomScottPhoto, on Flickr
Look for details
Ferrari Wheel by
TomScottPhoto, on Flickr
Other than that enjoy! The meets and shows have an awesome atmosphere and great people. Talk to the owners, they are always willing to talk about the cars and give them a business card you might get some business.
Here are a few almost exclusively shot on the 17-55mm last year
Silverstone classics (40D)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomscottphotography/sets/72157630780702712/
BMW Z4 Uk national meet (40D 17-55mm few with 10-22mm)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomscottphotography/sets/72157630504600366/
Porsche museum Stuttgart (7D 17-55mm few with 10-22mm)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomscottphotography/sets/72157632460914809/
Just a few of my car shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomscottphotography/sets/72157629303945158/
Hope this helps.