How to improve my shots

[93Stealthfox]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/93stealthGT/yum1.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/93stealthGT/yum.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/93stealthGT/Mustang.jpg
here's some photoshop fun
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/93stealthGT/15x1ety.jpg

I really like black and white pictures, but I'm not too good at them. I have a Kodak Easy Share V530, so I don't have a ton of settings, but if you guys could give me some tips on making the shots better, that'd be great. :)

Also, it seems like black paint is really, really hard to get any good shots of. I kinda wanna know some places that I can take some shots, so they aren't so many reflections/make the picture nicer all together.

Thanks for any help.

Btw- somebody from a paintball forum I post on told me to come here.

[FlipFlopWS6]

welcome to the board!

first off that is a very nice mustang you have! :)

1. take the car somewhere besides a driveway, but dont put it on grass. Cars belong on pavement.
2. try to keep the entire car in the picture. cutting off the front or rear can take away from the picture.
3. Look around the picture. Is it a good background? will it cast ugly shadows and reflections?
4. have the sun behind you
5. if you take a low to the ground shot make sure you can see all 4 tires.


Just a few things i always try to think of!! again nice 5.0!!

[Jamie Holladay]

Try to shoot the car during "prime time" the hour at dawn and the hour at dusk. This reduces harsh lighting. Cars are like mirrors they relfect everything. Find a location that has little to no reflection (which is hard to do and sometimes impossible). You did well getting low when you took picture of the car. Try different angles. 3/4 shots are always nice. If you do a shot that is straight on (front or rear) make sure to keep your horizon level. Keep your wheels turned so that you see WHEEL not tire when shooting a car. Keep something with you so that you can wipe tires down and keep them clean. Also if you are shooting at a location watch for things "growing" out of the car. Keep up the shooting.

OH YEA WELCOME TO THE BOARD!

[RadAL]

reflections can work with the picture if done right.

[PhotosGuy]

Also, it seems like black paint is really, really hard to get any good shots of. Actually, the reflections of light in black cars look better than in white ones to me.
Seen this?
A few Car Lighting Tips (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70290)

And...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Welcome-ChargerRT_020.gif

[Doom1701e]

if you guys could give me some tips on making the shots better, that'd be great.


Sell the Mustang get a Vette :-P j/k, sorry, couldnt resist. :) I would suggest just looking around the forum first, see if there are any pics of other cars you like and then either asking the poster about them or ask the forum referencing that photo(s). Here are a few shots I took last weekend of my g/f's Black Pontiac. Is this kinda what you are looking for? PS - Welcome to the forum! Now we gotta get you some Canon gear! :D

http://www.firemaplephotography.com/offsitephotos/IMG_1381.jpg

http://www.firemaplephotography.com/offsitephotos/IMG_1390.jpg