StreamlineGT's First Strobist Attempt - Mustang GT

[StreamlineGT]

Ok, first of all, big thanks to Andy Wheeler (FLATOUT) for inspiring me to drive my car on salt covered roads to shoot my car, in a winter coat, hat and gloves. Jerk..... LOL. Anyways, I went to a bunch of parking garages before I found an empty one, so if it doesn't work for y'all, too bad, it was what I had to work with. I also had some battery problems, but nothing a jumpstart from a local friend couldn't cure. Seems being in hibernation for the last few months doesn't do wonders for batteries. C&C and enjoy.

1.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2004.jpg

2.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2003.jpg

3.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2010.jpg

4.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2005.jpg

5.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2007.jpg

6.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2002.jpg

7.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2006.jpg

8.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2008.jpg

[FLATOUT]

HAHA

Trust me he is a Jerk LOL

Great Job getting out there to snap some shots! I feel the exact same way I am in Maryland and we got one day or so of above freezing weather.

Really digging number 3!

Good for you man!

Andy Wheeler:D

[StreamlineGT]

Look at the grill on #3, is that a third headlight? I didn't PP these, besides some sharpening, so I didn't do that. WTF would cause that?

[StreamlineGT]

All fixed, musta been some resizing freak.

[Toeslider]

Those are great shots. Only thing I would suggest is get rid of the hard flash reflection in #2 and #4 (on the fender behind the headlight, almost the same spot in both shots).

[RadAL]

great pictures, hot car.

[camerageorge]

2, 3 and 7 are my favourites, they make the car look very menacing!

[ogre1231]

6 is great. hiding in the shadows

[RSebaF]

a third flash wouldnt hurt =) to even out the nose/rear/roof to the rest of the car.. nevertheless, great shots

[gonças]

I dont like any of those. They are too dark. sorry.

[StreamlineGT]

Those are great shots. Only thing I would suggest is get rid of the hard flash reflection in #2 and #4 (on the fender behind the headlight, almost the same spot in both shots).

I will work on that today, thanks.

a third flash wouldnt hurt =) to even out the nose/rear/roof to the rest of the car.. nevertheless, great shots

I had three, but apparently not placed where they should have been. Where would you put them?

I dont like any of those. They are too dark. sorry.

Either yours is the only monitor that is calibrated, or yours is too dark. They look fine on mine, but mine is not calibrated. Maybe they are just suited to my taste.

[StreamlineGT]

Here is the setup for the first few shots, moving each strobe a little bit to remove reflections as best I could.

[StreamlineGT]

ok, so I've been getting some C&C on another forum that they are too dark. So how do I remedy the situation. There are three options that I can think of.

1. Larger aperture - would work, but when would the DOF not keep the whole vehicle in focus?

2. Slower shutter speed, but to the point where the background would be lightened up also, and IMO unflattering.

3. Increase the power on the flashes - make the hotspots I have even hotter?

Guide me, oh strobist gods, guide me.

Also, do you have your laptop with you when you shoot so you can see the finished product in higher res to make better decisions out in the field?

[Toeslider]

If you like the look of them, they're not too dark. Not everything needs to be lit up like a football field.

[Brennan.M]

if you like them thats what matters but if it was me I would maybe try to get them a little bit closer or crank the power up some to get more light on the top of the car. You have plenty on the bottom so maybe angle them up a tad bit. I wouldnt worry TOO much about hotspots as you can clone them out later. I really like 6 btw

[RSebaF]

would have placed the 430 right at the righthand corner of the nose, turned towards the right DG...at waist height.... hard to say :D experiment experiment....

[Pana]

#6 is $$$$$$$

[StreamlineGT]

#6 is $$$$$$$

Sweet, how much you think? I'll send you an invoice...:)

[KJEphoto]

Wow, they look great, love the set up! Nice car too!

[BTR_FTW]

man i need to get some strobes asap

how much did your lighting setup end up costing?

[Brennan.M]

you could do a setup like 3 vivitar 285hv, 3 westscott 8ft flash stands, 3 impact flash/umbrella brackets, a cactus trigger, 3 cactus receivers for around 515+shipping. Cactus stuff from gadgetinfinity.com and the rest from b&h

[StreamlineGT]

I have about a grand in mine, and it was mostly used from here. Only thing new were the stands and flash brackets.

[Brennan.M]

damn, mine is on a low budget then lol. Im just waiting on the last little bit of my stuff to get here

[StreamlineGT]

I didn't think I went that crazy, I may want to upgrade soon, which makes it even worse. I told myself that I would get good with these, and then upgrade, but I get impatient.

[Brennan.M]

I almost started with alienbees but I decided to start with vivitars and low buck stuff

[JustinL]

Brendon, nice to see your work finally. And I was wondering who would talk you into driving your car before spring! You did a good job keeping the reflections down with your shooting angles. I think these may be a bit on the under exposed side.

Were these at the college?

[StreamlineGT]

Brendon, nice to see your work finally. And I was wondering who would talk you into driving your car before spring! You did a good job keeping the reflections down with your shooting angles. I think these may be a bit on the under exposed side.

Were these at the college?

Yes, at "the college". I am going to try again if it doesn't precipitate before I can get out again. I do feel now that they are a little dark. I didn't realize it until I looked at them on my BlackBerry.

[StreamlineGT]

Alright, who hasn't had their recommended daily allowance of whole grain today. Well, I got your Whole Grain Total right here.

Did some PP......mmmm mmmm mmmm......crunchy!!

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2011.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2014.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2015.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l49/streamlineGT/DPP_2017.jpg

Same technique for all, in the Canon DPP program. +150 brightness, +2 Contrast, +1 sharpening, -2 Saturation, high noise reduction.

[aewon]

3 & 5 are money. I always like shots like 8.

1 would be better without that shadow on the right. 6 is too dark and the horizon's off.

Edit's are too bright lol... I prefer the originals.

[john owen]

3 & 5 are money. I always like shots like 8.

1 would be better without that shadow on the right. 6 is too dark and the horizon's off.

Edit's are too bright lol... I prefer the originals.

Number 3 is total rock and roll baby, id combine the two versions, keep the brighter car and dark backround - maybe with a little blending between the two images

Then people on the other forum wouldn't be able to figure out what you did - he he

[PhotosGuy]

also had some battery problems, Trickle charger! Either yours is the only monitor that is calibrated, or yours is too dark. They look fine on mine, but mine is not calibrated. Maybe they are just suited to my taste.
&
ok, so I've been getting some C&C on another forum that they are too dark. So how do I remedy the situation. Interesting though process there.
1. Consider the source. Is their monitor & browser calibrated?
2. Get the exposure right.
3. Calibrate your monitor, your browser, & make sure you have the right settings in your processing app.
Color problems? [work in progress?] (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=296149)

[Strnge]

#3 rocks!

[StreamlineGT]

Trickle charger! Interesting though process there.
1. Consider the source. Is their monitor & browser calibrated?
2. Get the exposure right.
3. Calibrate your monitor, your browser, & make sure you have the right settings in your processing app.
Color problems? [work in progress?] (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=296149)

I'll have to take some time this weekend and read that from start to finish. Thanks for the link, we'll see how it works out. Thanks.

[Photo-by-Leal]

nice shots, but a little to dark...