BMW E30 M3 with a euro S50.

I had the privilege of shooting my friend Joey of joeysm3.com E30 M3 (real m3, not a fake!) with a euro S50 motor swap from an E36 euro M3. Here's some snaps from my flickr followed by the link to the feature. I tried to mix up my editing style as I've never been pleased with my automotive stuff, my friend came over and we exchanged tips, and he helped me a ton. If a few of the pics aren't exposed the same, etc, it's purely for experimental reasons. That being said- onto the meat;

The last one is on a whole other level than the rest of the set. The background editing is perfect. The only critique I'd make is curves adjustment and maybe gradient to light up the hood and front and reduce the reflections.

Nice shot and gorgeous car...but you mention the S50 in the title and throughout the first post, but no engine shots in the thread? Also, not a fan of the flare in the last one...

Agree that #3 is a step up from the others. Not that the others were bad, #3 has a really nice creative look. Wish I had friends that could come by and give me some editing tips hahaha

Carter N wrote in post #12250697
The last one is on a whole other level than the rest of the set. The background editing is perfect. The only critique I'd make is curves adjustment and maybe gradient to light up the hood and front and reduce the reflections.

Yeah, i honestly forgot how i edited that one LOL. I just sat there in front of the computer adding layer masks in lightroom to change little things I didn't like about it. That one is also strobed with three ultra zap 800's, the others are natural light. I like the angle of the first two more, but the last one is just epic, imo.

The reflections are from the pearl in the paint, which annoyed me at first, but Joey really wanted a shot that showed the pearl in the paint popping, so i kept it. I will keep that in mind for future shots though. thanks man!

LowriderS10 wrote in post #12250811
Nice shot and gorgeous car...but you mention the S50 in the title and throughout the first post, but no engine shots in the thread? Also, not a fan of the flare in the last one...

There's one in the feature on the website, It was tough because the guy who let us use his storage unit for power (my vagabond inverter bit the dust at the beginning of the day- exactly why the ones near the bridge aren't strobed) so we had to hurry it up and it was tough to get a good angle with the bmw hoods that open up backwards.

I was going to take the flare out, but i like what it adds to the picture, so i kept it.

& thank you GOA510! That was the first shot i took after we set up. Really happy with that one.

I know, I've gotta throw him a bone for that one. haha. I'm letting him borrow my strobes for a shoot.

love all the shots. great shots.

beautiful car, love all the shots.


wish you had more angles of the car though love the rear of this car and it's side profile

Really liking the last shot, nicely done

E30 M3 w/euro S50, Yuck!


I like #1. I'd like it more if it was level.

dizzye36m3 wrote in post #12252470
E30 M3 w/euro S50, Yuck!


I like #1. I'd like it more if it was level.

I love me some E30 ///M3, but hate that motor in it. If you are going to make it nose heavy put an M5 motor in. Sweet rims though.

Photography: I like the first one the most.

Shots 1 and 3 are amazing.
The last one has some editing I really appreciate, normally I hate flare, but in this shot it just adds to the atmosphere as a whole concept ... nice !

Shot one is tilted, and usually I would advice against it, but somehow it doesn't bother me in this shot, what I do find distracting is the shade of the front blinkers, I know these are clear glass, but they don't look orange here ... correct color or editing ?

Also, I barely notice some nice Recaro seats in the car ... next time put the backrests more upwards and perhaps raise (if possible) the entire seats so you can see them more prominently ... just for the shots.

Thanks for the advice/compliments guys! All statements duly noted for future reference. I've been told I need to watch my Horizons several times. On the first shot, it was intentional. Makes the shot flow better IMO- as does the flare in 3.

Again, thanks guys!

The last shot is awesome, but should've kept the s14 in that classic.