Would like some Car Photography knowhow...

[The_Machingbird]

Hello,

I have a problem. I struggle with good photography. It seems that all of my photos lack depth, clarity and any real sign of professionalism.

This first photo is one of my car that I took back in May or something like that..and it infuriated me. I tried a number of settings, lightings, etc...but nothing gave that depth or anything that I desired.

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs160.snc1/5969_108055091260_682896260_2681951_7254771_n.jpg

That's where I was in May or that time of the year at least...and this one was taken earlier today, but as you can see it is still lacking depth, clarity and professional quality.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs255.snc1/10226_145013921260_682896260_3210916_3688837_n.jpg

Now you may be asking yourself, "what in the hell is he talking about when he says 'depth', 'clarity' and/or 'professionalism'?", what I mean is I lack sharpness throughout the photo, and can never seem to get the colors right and/or get that clean, GLOSSY look.

This is where I am at now.

This is where I want to be:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/purestreetphoto

Are there any sort of classes that I can take that are based around auto photography? Or anything that can be more hands on that could help me learn? I'm a learn by doing sort of person, so ideally I'd love to go to a photographers meet and pick up some new tips and tricks that I can play with, but I don't know anybody and don't even know if there is anything like that going on in my area. Anyway, if somebody could give me some tips on what direction I should go in to possibly help me find the answers I'm looking for?

Thanks folks,

Nick

[PhotosGuy]

The light on the Mustang might be great, but it's more of a "Car & landscape" shot & I can't see what's happening in it. Move in so it's a "car shot", which will throw the background more out of focus, & you'll find more "depth & clarity" in it.
UBNXOUS Beast! part #2. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=747170)
This is where I want to be: Did you already forget the advice I gave you last June?
Read the "Tips" in my Sig, & car shots will become easier.

[The_Machingbird]

Yes, but I learn by doing and no luck. Nothing against you're tips, but they offered no help in my case. I do appreciate the links though.

[The_Machingbird]

My last response was worded poorly...

Though I appreciate your multiple attempts to offer help, my automotive photography has still not picked up to where I would like to be at. Honestly, I would love to go car shooting with a professional car photographer for a day just to have that one-on-one fact finding mission. I really, truly do appreciate the tips and numerous attempts to help me, and I will be the first to admit your tips have made things much easier on me however I still want more. I guess it's just that always wanting to be better-ness that I have. I don't know exactly how to approach getting the sort of help I'd like, so that's why I just sort of created this thread and threw it out there. I don't know how or where I would go to get the help I want, but maybe that is something you guys could help me find?

[PhotosGuy]

however I still want more. There's really nothing new in car photography. Best I can suggest is to find a shot you think is "IT", & try to duplicate it.

[realitysays]

Your first photo looks OOF in the first place. You have the right idea and I know the pursuit and willingness to get “better” but I think your composition will make a huge difference. You could of used with some flashes in the first photo as the background is really distracting and I notice everything in the background after a quick glimpse of the car. If it was lit it would draw my eye more than the landscape/scenery.

Get in closer, most “still photo-shoots” have crazy angles and different compositions these days, so maybe try them instead of the basic landscape/portrait. Try to get lower instead of car height to make the car seem bigger. Invest in some lighting gear. How good are you with photoshop/Lightroom as well? THIS is what REALLY makes the difference. Yes you can take an excellent photo SOTC, but in the end, it all comes down to pp that will make it look sharper/more contrasty etc..

Go through magazines and check out there composition. You will also notice that most cars that are in magazines are punchy/contrasty colours, these make a difference straight away compared to a silver car/white car etc.. if you know what I mean it gives that kind of vibrant pop already.
My advise, is to do what I did when I first started shooting. Get out there and shoot. Practice everyday and you will get there. Keep reading, keep following peoples blogs. Technique is something you can’t just pick up and expect to know everything. Try to visualize what you want and go from there. That’s my advice, hope it helped!

[The_Machingbird]

PP is only a part of my problem...granted a big one, but you have to start out with a "good" photo then make it "great" via post processing. But while on the PP topic, are there any PP related photography books that could help me out?

These photos from mustang50magazine.com is how I would like to start out...then progressively move on to more exciting and adventurous angles and whatnot.

http://image.mustang50magazine.com/f/24940466+w750+st0/m5lp_090825_01_z+2010_roush_mustang_427R+.jpg

http://image.mustang50magazine.com/f/24940472+w750+st0/m5lp_090825_02_z+2010_roush_mustang_427R+.jpg

My problem when it comes to angles is I go WAY over the limit for what looks good. And no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get an angle that looks good.

Also...this may go back to the PP thing...but my black wheels always turn into a black blob. I can never seem to get any detail in them, but in r/l they're a polished black and act like a black mirror and I'd like that to show in the photo/s but I can't seem to find any special setting on the camera or lighting (shade, direct sunlight, etc)...tips?

[PhotosGuy]

I'm removing the image tags... again.
If you want to show images that you haven't personally shot, or other material, just post a link to it as there are © issues?
IMAGE POSTING RULES (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=74718)

[B19YBT]

I would say like someone else said and get out there and shoot at car shows etc, as the saying goes ' practise makes perfect ', This is all ive done personally and the more i shoot, and practise pp etc, the better my shots are looking. I would look in magazines, on threads on here and see how other people are shooting cars, what angles etc and try it for yourself. hth

Just dont expect too much to soon.

[waijai]

If you know your angles go way overboard, why not cut back on the extreme angles? Your composition needs some work from the example pictures you posted.

[realitysays]

The two shots that you linked too, are practically common shots. These are the two most popular angles to shoot cars at. Just try to copy the angles that have been done here and keep trying to do what you want to achieve until you are happy.

If you have black wheels, on a yellow car, your meter is going to expose for the ambient light and the yellow of your car which would underexpose your black wheels unless you focused on the black wheels. You could do two things here. Use multiple exposures, one to expose for the wheels, one to expose for the car, one to expose for ambient, or you can just flashes, or just shoot in brighter conditions. Get closer also.