this needs help

[jdando]

:(

Spent the day washing and waxing the car and all I have to show is this crappy picture
http://www.motorcitymarauders.com/gallery/files/2/5/5/frontwheel.jpg
1/200 second
5.6F
iso 200

kit lens 55mm
AI servo focus

All comments welcome. What is the hot set-up for shooting a shiny black car????



jeremy

[ggt1_02]

From my limited knowledge, you should try a slower F-Stop. The depth of focus with F5.6 is very limited. Also why are you using AI Servo focus?

[Robert_Lay]

:(

Spent the day washing and waxing the car and all I have to show is this crappy picture

1/200 second
5.6F
iso 200

kit lens 55mm
AI servo focus

All comments welcome. What is the hot set-up for shooting a shiny black car????



jeremy

There's no need to be so critical - we'll take care of that department - Hi!

Did this shot teach you something about lighting - or about reflections? If so, then it served a purpose.
Is there a type of lighting that would be better?

I don't know about better, but I can recommend that you find a day that is solid overcast, or overcast and dawn or dusk, where the light is so diffuse that it kills off any reflections. See what you get under those conditions.

[Robert_Lay]

From my limited knowledge, you should try a slower F-Stop. The depth of focus with F5.6 is very limited. Also why are you using AI Servo focus?

I think an equally valid question might be, why not?

[jonklein611]

To me, the composure is off. try to keep the headlight in the shot, try crazy angles, such as from really low, really high, close. You did a great job detailing the car, use those reflections to your advantage.

My eye keeps getting drawn to the left out of the frame.

[jdando]

The depth of focus with F5.6 is very limited. Also why are you using AI Servo focus?

I did not check my settings from when I used the camera last. I was working on my panning shots. I was using F5.6 to try and get the wheel/brake to "pop", but that did not work out :(



Did this shot teach you something about lighting - or about reflections? If so, then it served a purpose.
Is there a type of lighting that would be better?
Thanks Robert, not sure if I learned anything, other than I get some big-time reflections off this car. I shot the picture about two hours before dusk here in mn. Maybe I should have waited a bit more?

To me, the composure is off. try to keep the headlight in the shot, try crazy angles, such as from really low, really high, close. You did a great job detailing the car, use those reflections to your advantage.

My eye keeps getting drawn to the left out of the frame.

Thanks Jon; I really wanted a good shot of the tire/wheel/brake. Not sure what angle to shot at or maybe I should have cropped tighter.


To me the focus was off and all the reflections are distracting.

Appreciate all the feedback.

jeremy

[jonklein611]

Sure, I love combining my two hobbies (cars / autocross and photography).

how about this?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/1663737930_16eb76aa04_o.jpg

Maybe try coming at it from a more forward angle, move more to the left and then pan over to the wheel / brake.


To give you an idea about how reflections can be used....

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/1659430569_ca72603480_b.jpg

thats my car post wash, to get a wheel shot, just step out a bit and focus on the wheel. Play with diff angles, some of my best shots have come from me just trying something crazy. Keep trying, you're doing great!

[MishkasMagic]

sorry jon dont like the cropped pic you did theres something wrong with the top left ( the trees are still reflecting ) it looks odd but i do like the one of the original goes to show how shiny your car is
want to come do mine too lol

[jonklein611]

Eh, it was a quick crop, tough from that angle. Maybe even more crop to get rid of the distractions on the top left? Or go the other way, and keep the headlight in there.

I'll pass on the invite, i have to get mine waxed and ready for winter, but if you'd like your car to shine, check out http://www.ocdgarage.com/excarca.html . Great tips to get a killer shine. Thanks for the compliments, not bad for an 11 year old car eh?