Car reflections... Not sure which to pick.

[Sikario]

I'm entering a car forum's monthly photo competition. The theme is 'Reflection' but I don't know which of the two I have taken I should actually enter. Please help me decide, I'm not sure which of the two really shout reflection... if either do anyway.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/n.e.bullock/Layby%20Lights%205.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/n.e.bullock/Layby%20Lights%207.jpg

[Ian_H]

Out of the 2 shots I prefer the first one, I think it is a good effect and probably different to what most people would submit as a reflection shot.


Cheers
Ian

[Sikario]

Thanks very much for your reply. I'm guessing most of the other photos will be water reflections etc... Like a picture of their car next to a lake.

[theflyingkiwi]

I would 2nd Ian_H comments, the first one is the most dynamic :) and even with a little change, like adding motion blur, the photo becomes very effective.

[MilesG]

id pick the second, but both are good

[Littlenose]

I too like the second image... i think it's the perspective lines of passing cars, road markings and tree lines that catches my eye. On the first image, you have to do a lot of "reading" before you enjoy the picture... however, the first image has more "reflection" in it.

[Mark Kemp]

As a composition I like the second, its more dynamic. But the first has more reflections in it so I think for a themed competition the first is the one to go for.

Unless you can clone the light trail reflections from the lights of the first into the second without it looking too false?

[bachscuttler]

I would second Marks comments.

I prefered the second image but if the theme is reflections the first image is probably more appropriate.
I would probably shy away from cloning etc for a competition though.

[enilm]

hey sikario, just wondering at what shutter speed did you take that picture? I'm new to this whole photography thing. I just got a canon g6 a couple of weeks ago and I have lots to learn. I want to take a picture like that of my car. thanks

[Sikario]

Thanks for all the replies... There's still a while for the compettion to finish, but so far I am in first place with 34 votes :)

I believe those particular shots were about 6 seconds, it was around 7am so the sun was just about to come up, I think this is the perfect time, not completely dark but enough to create a long shutter effect. The best thing to do is to experiment, most times when I go out to take photos in the early morning I end up with most of the photos looking way to bright or way too dark and a few that are just right.

I used a Canon A80. I'd much prefer to use a Digital SLR... but err, I haven't got one.

[enilm]

Did you use flash or no flash?

[Sikario]

No, I generally don't like using flash when photographing cars.

[digitalfailure]

I love the 2nd shot, but for me it doesn't say reflection.

The first is also a fine image and a clever play on the theme.
which car forum is it?

[picture-this]

The first one is great. I'm not really into the second one. You should put up a pole next time.

[Littlenose]

I still like the 2nd one overall, but i think it would have been worthwhile taking the plate off for the pic...
let us know how you're getting on with the competition.

[Sikario]

Well I won, thanks for the help. Now it's my job to think up the next theme... Hmmm.

Here's the car forum by the way - http://www.e36coupe.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21541

[Littlenose]

Well done Sikario !!! :D