Going to shoot a car show.

I will be shooting SpoCom in Long Beach. Any tips or suggestions? Most of the shots I see are on camera flash. I was thinking of taking my plastic tripod to put the flash on. It is indoors and its a convention center.

It is like Hot Import Nights

Tripod better be super small. Don't know of many places (especially one that's expected to be crowded) to allow use of tripod. Someone trip = law suit.

Convention center lighting is usually bright enough for you to get away with f/2.8 and iso400-800 images. You didn't list what camera/lenses you have so I'm hoping/assuming you have something that falls under the category (preferably on the "wide" end): 17-55/2.8, or 17-50/2.8. And maybe the 11-16/2.8 type of lenses. Anything longer than 50mm and you're either shooting at the show-girls or just emblem shots. You'd have to back away pretty far to get the whole car and if there are people around, you'll get more people than car.

Car shows are pretty disappointing from a photography perspective. We have several a year come through town. A benefit of being on route 66. But the problem is they park them so close together, often pop the hoods and when outdoors the sunlight can be pretty harsh. You can get some nice shots, logos, graphics, and if you have showgirls so much the better. But except for shows where manufacturers have pedestals its often hard to get a decent unimpeded shot of a full car.

Thanks for the response. I have a 28-135mm kit lens and a 55-255mm lens. Shooting the show girls would not be that bad for me .

It is a small crappy tripod for the flash (5 feet). I am also bringing a camera tripod or monopod. I got a press pass for my friends blog, so I was hoping to get in there early to beat the crowds.

I agree that taking photos at a car show sucks. I went to the international auto show in NYC a while back and it was super crowded. You have just enough time to push your way to the front, snap a pic and get pushed right back outta the way. I don't think there is any way an off camera flash would work unless you get in before the general public.

gonzogolf wrote in post #10326884
Car shows are pretty disappointing from a photography perspective. We have several a year come through town. A benefit of being on route 66. But the problem is they park them so close together, often pop the hoods and when outdoors the sunlight can be pretty harsh. You can get some nice shots, logos, graphics, and if you have showgirls so much the better. But except for shows where manufacturers have pedestals its often hard to get a decent unimpeded shot of a full car.

Yeah I know EXACTLY what you are saying. I shot some pictures this year at SEMA, such a better presentation than a car show. It is almost like a parking lot how close they are parked. Outdoors I wouldnt be able to compete with the sun with a 580EXII

dap325 wrote in post #10326996
I agree that taking photos at a car show sucks. I went to the international auto show in NYC a while back and it was super crowded. You have just enough time to push your way to the front, snap a pic and get pushed right back outta the way. I don't think there is any way an off camera flash would work unless you get in before the general public.

Yeah the LA car show is not any different. I am going to try to get in before every one to get the pictures done. I hope the press pass is good for something.

I look forward to the pictures.

I don't expect you'll be able to use those tripods. Personally, I'd rent something wider, though 28mm might be wide enough. I don't think 55mm will be. The flash will be necessary, you'll want a diffuser of some sort though as I imagine you'll be using it on-camera most of the time.

I stopped taking photos at car shows. It's usually too crowded to get anything spectacular. The LA car show every year feels more like a day care with $20,000+ playground pieces than it does a car show. (The Corvette seats are always adjusted so a 5-year-old can reach the wheel). Maybe the press pass will allow you some different opportunities.

I agree with the general thought that car shows suck for taking pics at . Too many people get in your way and they're usually on grass....not even angles....just like everyone else said.

I took these with my 40D back in 2008 @ LA Auto show. Taken with the 17-55/2.8 IS

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Do you need any kind of release from the car owners for using these kinds of shots?

I would suspect yes, but not sure if they are "in public."

With cars? I don't think so, unless I'm using the photos to misrepresent a product or something, and even then... might be a stretch.

I think you need a "property release" if you plan to capitalize on the car shots.

snails wrote in post #10327119
I look forward to the pictures.

I don't expect you'll be able to use those tripods. Personally, I'd rent something wider, though 28mm might be wide enough. I don't think 55mm will be. The flash will be necessary, you'll want a diffuser of some sort though as I imagine you'll be using it on-camera most of the time.

I stopped taking photos at car shows. It's usually too crowded to get anything spectacular. The LA car show every year feels more like a day care with $20,000+ playground pieces than it does a car show. (The Corvette seats are always adjusted so a 5-year-old can reach the wheel). Maybe the press pass will allow you some different opportunities.

I called my friend and he is letting me use his 17-??mm . Thanks for the suggestion

The LA auto show is a mad house. I know this is not a real auto show but a car show. So I will post in G&N for the good shots I get My plan is to go get the shots for the people that got me the press pass first. Then I am going to go for the girls and other cars. I am going to bring the tripod. My friends are showing their cars so worst case I put it in their trunk

Seasentinel wrote in post #10327242
I agree with the general thought that car shows suck for taking pics at . Too many people get in your way and they're usually on grass....not even angles....just like everyone else said.

Yeah agreed. This one is indoors at a convention center.

jwcdds wrote in post #10327283
I took these with my 40D back in 2008 @ LA Auto show. Taken with the 17-55/2.8 IS

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The rest (not that many) are here: http://www.pbase.com/j​wcdds/2008laauto

Go really early and hit up the displays you want. Else they get crowded with people and it becomes kind of... lame.

Ferrari was NUTS!!! buy the time i got there. Better to go to BH or Malibu to get better shots of the cars on the street
nice shot of the SL65AMG

pman67 wrote in post #10327577
Do you need any kind of release from the car owners for using these kinds of shots?

I would suspect yes, but not sure if they are "in public."

Great question!!!!

enrigonz wrote in post #10327896
I think you need a "property release" if you plan to capitalize on the car shots.

The photos are going to be for reporting and showing what is out there. They are not for comercial. They are at a car show so they have to know that the cars are going to be photographed. I completely forgot what the entry forms/contract/waiver say. I am 99.9% they have a clause they can use your cars likeness (usually for a flier). But it has been a few years since I have shown. I also only showed a few times (sponsors wanted it.)

Indoor car shows? Image stabilizer lens. handheld, available light, high ISO or exposure compensation, manual white balance when necessary.

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