Shooting cars with two flashes.

[SK6]

So I'm doing a fair amount of private shoots for an upcoming car show and I was just looking for pointers on how some of you setup with one or two flashes during midday, evening and night hours. I always see setup shots for 3+ stobes but no 2 strobe love. These shoots will be at various locations but the main location is at the beach...if that matters at all.



old shot with on camera flash, yes I know its bad but the guy wanted it exactly like that.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3561234633_31393b832a.jpg

[jbrentd]

Threadjack: Oh, how I miss my NovaSS

[fhphoto]

i think you should clone out that water bottle...

[SK6]

how bout no..it was a sample shot.

[*Knowledge*]

I would say if you're shooting the 3/4 view, one from the hood, one from the side. Otherwise, cross lighting with the two lights. In midday, flashes aren't going to help much, unless you meant strobes. Evening time you can use the setting sun as an additional light source as well, usually makes for a good rim light.

[SK6]

I'll have an sb-24 and 540ez. I like using them during the day for additional pop, it works for my action sports shots..never really done autos though.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3929824617_3a3be7df82.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

The evening light on your M shots was pretty good. Why use flash then?

[SK6]

Oh no..you didn't just stalk my flickr did you? *sigh* Those shots are super old when i first started using dslr!

I'm just looking for creative options, I won't be using flash the entire time just in the eve/night or if shadows cast a certain way. I'm mainly just looking for setups.

[PhotosGuy]

Oh no..you didn't just stalk my flickr did you? No. You posted them here. yes I know its bad but the guy wanted it exactly like that. You need to educate the "client"? Take one the way he wants it. Then take more the way you want them. I'm just looking for creative options Here's my suggestion if you want to make the car look good & not just want record shots: Start an hour before sunset. Take shots with & w/out flash for 1-1/2 hours. See what you like better.

[SK6]

Oh so you stalked my past posts :p

It wasn't a client, I walked across the street to checkout a car show, a guy asked if I could take a picture of his car at said angle and I did. It was free, emailed it to him and he was happy.


thanks for the info. I figured there would be loads of setup pictures and info by now..

[unlimited6986]

With 2 flashes the biggest thing is positioning them. Just move them take a shot if its bad move them again. Worst case you can always take like 2 or 3 shots and blend them in PS

[rigshots]

There's no rule that says you need X number of flashes. The situation and lighting will determine how many flashes you need, if any. Of course if you have only 1 or 2 flashes, for example, then avoid situations that require more.

You can use the flash as 'fill' for the shadow or darker parts of the car. So if the sun lights the side of the car then use a flash to light the front or rear which would otherwise be too dark. You could use a large reflector in the same situation. You could also light the side of the car with a couple of flashes, where the front or rear is already lit by available light.

If shooting on the beach then you might be best off just using the sunset, and no strobes at all.

2 strobes, front and side;

http://www.johnjovic.com/images/l_262_667.jpg

1 strobe, front of car;

http://www.johnjovic.com/images/l_172_1000.jpg

Single strobe, front of car;

http://www.johnjovic.com/images/l_252_1000.jpg

Shot with a large reflector but I also shot it with strobes (not this image) and the difference is relatively minor so this is equivalent to using a single strobe at the front of the car.

http://www.johnjovic.com/images/l_269_1000.jpg

JJ

[SK6]

Now we're talking. I'd like to get shots like the first and last one.

[PhotosGuy]

The last one really pops! Nice one!

[Vovka]

John, How did you shoot the first car with 2 strobes, How did you manage to use only one little flash for the side of the car?

[rigshots]

John, How did you shoot the first car with 2 strobes, How did you manage to use only one little flash for the side of the car?

1/ The flash was a fair distance from the car so the light was more even than if the flash was close.

2/ The colour of the car is always relevant. Here the car was fairly light and a little metalic, but not like silver, more of a cross between a pastel and metalic. It responded well to flash.

It's a simple shot, no Photoshop or PP to speak of, but quite effective.

JJ

[rigshots]

The last one really pops! Nice one!

Ta. Yeah, partly the colour, partly because it's shot at F2.8 (or maybe 4) so it seperates nicely from the background.

JJ