You're going to wreck that car!

[rudder34]

Is what my father said to me 16 years ago when I bought it. My 1986 Ford Mustang GT has 30,206 miles on it as of today because I mainly drive it in the summer. I decided to take a few photos of it this evening because the weather was great. I will shoot again from this spot in the fall when the leaves are in full color. Eliminating reflections on black paint was tougher than I thought.

[sandpiper]

Eliminating reflections on black paint was tougher than I thought.

You need a polarizer filter, that will kill most of them (usually, it depends on the sun angle etc) and give you a nice deep black paint finish.

P.S. Nice car, I used to drive a '71 Mach 1 with a heavily modded 351 Cleveland, racing gearbox and a ratchet shift. :D

[PhotosGuy]

You need a polarizer filter, I never use them. Use your eyes. Move around to find the best angle. Since it's your car, maybe move the car a bit. Then a touch of PS & you've got it! ;)

[sandpiper]

I never use them. Use your eyes. Move around to find the best angle. Since it's your car, maybe move the car a bit. Then a touch of PS & you've got it! ;)

Sorry, but how the hell can moving around a bit remove a reflection. Try looking into a river, the sun reflects off the surface making it hard to see what is underneath. You can move around all you want, the reflection will still be there. One twist of the polarizer and the reflection is gone, lovely and clear view of the bottom. Works the same with cars. Less reflection, deeper saturation of the paintwork.

The 'best angle' is the one which shows the car best. Not one where you have wriggled around and found somewhere that the reflections don't look too bad - but the angle is bad for composition.

[fstop212]

I had the same car in white with T tops. What a great car it was. Yours looks to be in great shape. Nice photos.

[JustinL]

Sorry, but how the hell can moving around a bit remove a reflection. Try looking into a river, the sun reflects off the surface making it hard to see what is underneath. You can move around all you want, the reflection will still be there. One twist of the polarizer and the reflection is gone, lovely and clear view of the bottom. Works the same with cars. Less reflection, deeper saturation of the paintwork.

You're comparing a flowing river to car paint? Let me ask YOU a question, how the hell is this apples vs apples?!

If the car is at an angle to the sun, and you're the one moving you WILL be able to find certain angles to shoot the car from with less glare/reflection. Don't always rely on your polarizer. That reflection may be gone, but the windshield and headlights will have that lovely rainbow effect.

As for the stang, I love that first shot. The reflection along the side of the car is perfect.

[deadpass]

that car looks great, I know how hard it is to keep midwest cars rust free.

[sandpiper]

You're comparing a flowing river to car paint? Let me ask YOU a question, how the hell is this apples vs apples?!

If the car is at an angle to the sun, and you're the one moving you WILL be able to find certain angles to shoot the car from with less glare/reflection. Don't always rely on your polarizer. That reflection may be gone, but the windshield and headlights will have that lovely rainbow effect.

As for the stang, I love that first shot. The reflection along the side of the car is perfect.

Jeez, I don't RELY on a polarizer. I find it a useful tool in the field for controlling light, something which is handy for a photographer. I don't use it in every shot, I realise that you can move around to find an angle that has less reflection. Most photographers like to move around a subject and see which angle the subject looks best from and shoot from there, it isn't necessarily the angle which will have minimal reflections.

Move the car? Yes, except that I do a lot of work at car shows and the cars cannot just be moved to please the whims of a passing photographer. Often the best angle to shoot from, for the car and also because of distractions in the vicinity, has reflections of people sitting nearby showing up in the side of the paint. A polariser can help by reducing / removing that reflection. At certain angles a polariser CAN produce patterning in a windscreen but I find that the angle I use it at, I don't suffer from that.

I have no objection to all reflections, it depends on WHAT is reflected and how. A polariser gives me options and more control, it isn't a permanent fitting. I am not telling people that polarisers are a vital part of car photography, just that they can be useful.

The original poster stated that he found ELIMINATING REFLECTIONS to be tougher than he thought, I merely offered a suggestion as to something he might find useful information for the future, when he wishes to do this. I thought I was being helpful, what is YOUR aim in posting? I don't see any useful information in there. If you want to restrict your options and degree of control in the field, that's fine. Personally I like to have options available.

[Ballen Photo]

That's a good looking "STANG". Nice shots too. I remember my first love, a 67 442. I kept that car for around 15 years as well. :cool:
Polarizers? Never have tried that for shooting cars, and I've shot a few. ;)
Actually, You can walk around the car and find angles that will minimize reflections, however, reflections have never been a major concern for me. If the car shows a reflection while looking at it with the naked eye, then I dont mind that reflection being in the image either, unless it's causing a huge glare or other distraction. Sometimes reflections are useful for seeing how straight the body panels are. :p
-Bruce

[PhotosGuy]

I thought I was being helpful, I don't find "You need a polarizer filter", helpful. "You might try a polarizer filter", would be much better. Many of us have tried, & discarded them for that purpose, so the absolute "Need" could stand to be toned down a bit. Move the car? Yes, except that I do a lot of work at car shows.. OT? Can we stick to "My 1986 Ford Mustang GT" & how he can make his pics of it better?