New to shooting cars

[Namerifrats]

Been interested for a while in maybe trying to shoot a few cars. I was out and about today and thought I would look for any potential "opportunities" in local parking lots. I saw the yellow Pontiac sitting by it's self in he edge of the mall parking lot, thought since it looked clean I would see what I could do with it. Didn't like the background, mostly the trailer seen back there. Even after cropping I couldn't get it all out. So I tried to "black" out the back ground in CS4 since part of the tree line was already dark. Came out ok I guess for a first try and just experimenting, but the windshield didn't look right and when I attempted to adjust it I messed it up. Below is the shot and the photo shopped shot. First time I've ever tried to shoot a car, wanting to stop in a few car shows later on. Just seeking experience and advice. (Anybody knows a way to "clean up" that windshield, let me know! Thanks!






Also a Mustang I shot nearby as a "practice" shot. Nothing great

[PhotosGuy]

The mustang looks pretty good. Clone the pole reflecting in the hood.

(Anybody knows a way to "clean up" that windshield, let me know!

The box in the background? Start over, & set the brush to about 10% & try to sneak up on it.

[Namerifrats]

I appreciate the info! I'll give it a try. I'm still trying to learn everything that CS4 can do, sure thats gonna take a long time.

[ChasWG]

Maybe fix it before you take it to PS. Meaning try using a circular polerizer on your lens. Then you won't have as much work to do afterwards. Yes, they can be expensive, but the trouble they'll save you in PP is worth it.

[DigitalMan]

Another thing to pay attention to when cloning out backgrounds of cars are the windows. I have found ugly colors and such shining through. Sometimes just taking the color out helps alot.

Cars are one of my favorite subjects

[lambocars]

To clean the windows you can also take a different approach ... add a new layer and paint black over the windows, now change the mode and opacity to get a look of very dark tinted windows ... works like a charm.

I actually explain this trick in my 'Behind the scenes of a professional car shoot' tutorial (among other things), feel free to take a look at it and possibly pick up some of the other articles, I'm sure you'll find some interesting reading material.

Both the yellow car and the Black Mustang can be made a whole lot better with the correct post processing, a bit of tlc in PhotoShop goes a long way ... naturally making sure the original shot is near perfect helps a lot to minimize your work at home behind the screen.

Mark