Mustang Take Two

The focus is there, but the reflections are a bit harsh. You should consider getting a circular polarizer. Straighten the wheels if you're shooting a profile shot. Cars like a Mustang that has an imposing stature usually are shot on the lower-end to emphasize that.

Just some of my suggestions.

Try shooting at a later time during the day. You shot where it seems where the sun is at its highest point causing real strong shadows and not ideal for shooting a car of that colour. You seem to have lost all detail in the car.

Some tips I found useful - http://m3forum.net …m/showthread.ph​p?t=135871

With a dark car, I would shoot when the sun is lowest or have an overcast day for example.

nice tips.. thanks

Cars are hard - this will help...

1. Whatever lens you're shooting with is the wrong one. You need a telephoto/zoom lens that is 200-300mm at the long end.
Edit - it's not exactly "wrong." A wide/zoom can look really good and is becomming more popular. I simply feel a long lens is much easier to work with.
2. Get far away from the car and use the lens to bring the car "closer" to you. This will flatten the perspective and give you more of that "magazine look." (use a tripod)
3. Get the car away from the background and shoot around f4. This will blur the background and help the car stand out.
4. Use a SINGULAR background. The side of a building, a line of trees, a city skyline, etc. The chain link fence with a building or trees behind is distracting.
5. Get a lower point-of-view. The camera should be roughly even with the centerline of the wheels. Lay on the ground if necessary.
6. Try to get the car a little above you - like on the top of a slight rise in the road, a high point of the parking lot, etc. This gives you the low perspective witout laying on the ground.
7. As was already mentioned, shoot at dawn/dusk, not in the middle of the day. You'll have better color in your reflections and a more even (less contrasty) photo overall.
8. As was already mentioned, get a polorazing filter.
9. As was already mentioned, do not turn the wheels in profile shots.
10. Do not "overgloss" tires and trim with Armor all. You want a deep black, not a wet black.

Try these tips and post your new images...

Wet the pavement.

I usually shoot fronts & 3/4 views at 28mm. Profile, & especially cars with huge rear tires in a rear view, I use more of a tele for, like 70mm.

My first tip, especially for black cars, is to wait for the right light. Some links to black cars are in here:
A few Car Lighting Tips - Updated


Look for a cleaner location, too. I found this one 1 mile from where I live:
MOVE YOUR FEET! A <rant> of sorts.

What would be a good telephoto zoom lens to get for shooting cars?

Something nice and long. Would go for anything about 100-200mm if you can.

Like races, or sitting still?
Budget?

Just sitting still. However, I would like to get the occasional rolling shots as well.

Budget is $250

PhotosGuy wrote in post #6243388
Like races, or sitting still?
Budget?

Keep the Kit lens. Save a bit more for a used 70-200 f/4 L.

You can get a used Canon 70-200/f4-L for $450-$500 on here and many other forums. Try to buy from a forum regular with good feedback. If you purchase locally - like off of Craigslist - just be sure to shoot with the lens before handing over any money.

The 70-200/f4-L was my first "L" lens and my favorite lens ever! (Until I upgraded to the IS version.) You will be very, VERY pleased with the regular f4 lens! For the money, I believe it's the best Canon lens available. (with the 50mm/f1.8 would be a close second in sheer value.)

would a 28-135mm lens be good for a car photoshoot?

if you parked the car a bit further away from the fence, the numbers and yellow stripes would have been hidden. A small change in the car's position may have had a big impact on the shot. I find the stripes in parking lots very distracting IMO.

Nice car though!!