Professional automotive protography...

[BADNBLK]

I am no camera-smith! I make some of the most basic mistakes when attempting to take better pics... I'm ready to pay a pro to shoot my car.

- I don't know anyone that specializes in taking pics of cars. The lady that took amazing pics of my son is great with a camera, but will she get it, when it comes to shooting my black car?
- Where should I go to find a local photographer? Is there a forum I should be checking into?
- For those that have paid, what type of cost have you paid? Round about idea for general cost?

Have you guys been through this? Or you just been right place/ right time and had people request to shoot your car?

Tips and advise appreciated on finding a good photographer. Don't bother telling me to buy a good camera and try to take it up... I don't have the time to experiment until I get the art down. Its a talent, and I feel I don't have it, so paying someone else to do it is the best option.

[rockytopper]

I'm no expert only got lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time. I spent about 6 or 7 hours assisting the PHR protorographer shooting my car for the mag. We spent most of that 6 or 7 hours driving all over town finding spots to avoid the sun. From what I learned it's mostly about the lighting. In fact most hi end car shoots are done indoors were the lighting is controlled. Outside can be hit and miss with the changing light. Good luck to ya finding someone.

[BADNBLK]

I'm no expert only got lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time. I spent about 6 or 7 hours assisting the PHR protorographer shooting my car for the mag. We spent most of that 6 or 7 hours driving all over town finding spots to avoid the sun. From what I learned it's mostly about the lighting. In fact most hi end car shoots are done indoors were the lighting is controlled. Outside can be hit and miss with the changing light. Good luck to ya finding someone.

I have your issue of PHR on my crapper! Great pics! 6-7 hours! WOW! Worth every minute. Thanks man

[NiteOwlNY]

What do you own for a camera? Do you at least own a decent point and shoot?

I don't know of any pros in your area who specialize in automotive or racing. You can try going through the PPA (www.ppa.com) or the ASMP (www.asmp.org) and search local photographers.

If you cannot find someone my best advice to you is to use a tripod, keep the sun to your back and if your camera allows use a circular polarizer on the lens to cut down on the glare off the glass, paint and ground.

Outside is a royal PITA unless you have a great location, shooting at/around sunrise and sunset when the sun is low in the sky helps a lot also.

[BADNBLK]

I own a little pocket sized Nikon 14mp we use for snapping pics at birthday parties and Broncos games. I found that the my Droid cell phone takes about as good a picture as the Nikon. I have taken some ok shots of my vehicle with both, but really wanting the next level.

Well thank you for the links. I searched and there is no automotive specialized PG in CO that are members of either. I might just throw up a craigslist add? Ask for examples of the their work.

[NiteOwlNY]

Try searching Automotive Photographer Colorado also, you may come across some web sites of Photographers in yours area. Try messaging a few even if they aren't in your area, they may travel or know someone who is in your area.

CL isn't a bad place to try, but I'm sure you're going to run into the "I got a Canon Rebel" crowd... Definitely ask to see their work and especially if you plan to pay them, references.

[BADNBLK]

I did a quick search and came up with a couple I sent emails too. I think I am going to be putting a CL add and see where that gets me.

[rockytopper]

You might try this Guy www.waldronsphotography.com. The owners name is Chris Waldron he is located in Colorado Springs. He is a very old friend of mine that I have not seen in maybe 25 years. Tell him Rocky sent you. He use to work in engineering & design but got into the picture taking business as a hobby that grew into a full time business years ago. He has been at it sense the early 80's. Picture below was one of the first pictures he every shot of my old 55 when he was taking his first photography class at a local junior college. If you hire him make sure he puts film in the camera before the shoot. He wanted to shoot my car as a class project so we drove to a local park and he shot maybe 25 pictures of the car from every angle, hood open, doors open interior, etc.... After an hour or so he said I should be about out of film. Turns out the entire photo shoot was a bust he had forgotten to load the camera.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Picture023-1.jpg

[NiteOwlNY]

I don't think anyone doing it professionally (except for the art shooters) are using film anymore, there's a lack of film stocks these days since digital took over... There's a few holdouts shooting medium and large format film, but they are few and far between.

[JLMounce]

Since you're in windsor I'd give Sarah Lynn photography a look. She takes amazing photos, even though her specialty is not automotive.

https://www.facebook.com/SaraLynnPhotographic

[BADNBLK]

You might try this Guy www.waldronsphotography.com. The owners name is Chris Waldron he is located in Colorado Springs. He is a very old friend of mine that I have not seen in maybe 25 years. Tell him Rocky sent you. He use to work in engineering & design but got into the picture taking business as a hobby that grew into a full time business years ago. He has been at it sense the early 80's. Picture below was one of the first pictures he every shot of my old 55 when he was taking his first photography class at a local junior college. If you hire him make sure he puts film in the camera before the shoot. He wanted to shoot my car as a class project so we drove to a local park and he shot maybe 25 pictures of the car from every angle, hood open, doors open interior, etc.... After an hour or so he said I should be about out of film. Turns out the entire photo shoot was a bust he had forgotten to load the camera.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Picture023-1.jpg

That is a funny story, that hits a little close too home, but I did a similar thing with Grandma's 100th bday party... Thank god for someone else taking pics too.


Since you're in windsor I'd give Sarah Lynn photography a look. She takes amazing photos, even though her specialty is not automotive.


https://www.facebook.com/SaraLynnPhotographic

Appreciate the referral. I'm throwing out the flag locally here too. Got a phone number for a guy out of Denver that shot a couple trucks for 4wheel magazine.

[mpozzi]

Shooting dark colored cars can be very tricky and you have to "look" for the shadows and reflections that may be visible on side and top panels. The picture in your signature is a key example as I see a reflection of whatever was next to the driver's side and hood, and glare on the windshield. There's some positives about the photo, too.

There are some excellent shooters here in CA and, of course, Robert McGaffin is excellent but not near you either. The good thing is that with shooting digital, you can see what needs to be improved on and go from there. Shooting film ... ugh and expensive.

Mary Pozzi

[NiteOwlNY]

Shooting dark colored cars can be very tricky and you have to "look" for the shadows and reflections that may be visible on side and top panels. The picture in your signature is a key example as I see a reflection of whatever was next to the driver's side and hood, and glare on the windshield. There's some positives about the photo, too.

There are some excellent shooters here in CA and, of course, Robert McGaffin is excellent but not near you either. The good thing is that with shooting digital, you can see what needs to be improved on and go from there. Shooting film ... ugh and expensive.

Mary Pozzi

Proper exposure, using the right lenses and angles, plus the use of a circular polarizer will take care of all of that. I don't want to critique his photo but I can tell you the lighting isn't the greatest and neither is the exposure...

Everyone is a photographer these days, I pay more a year in insurance on my equipment then they have in equipment...

[BADNBLK]

Yeah the photo in my sig is not amazing... Cell phone pic. Again... this is where a pro comes in :)

I understand the black cars are tough, but this is where hiring someone with automotive experience would pay off. We have a wonderful photographer for our family portrait and my son, but she said shooting cars takes a different skill set, like know how to make a baby smile haha

[cmraman]

Thanks Mary for the props. I find black cars to be challenging, but sometimes more fun to do. @BADNBLK: how far are you from Denver? I'm supposed to be traveling there sometime in the next couple months....

[MrQuick]

looks to be 60 miles north of Denver.

[BADNBLK]

Thanks Mary for the props. I find black cars to be challenging, but sometimes more fun to do. @BADNBLK: how far are you from Denver? I'm supposed to be traveling there sometime in the next couple months....


looks to be 60 miles north of Denver.

Yeah just about 60 miles from Denver. I can make DIA in about 45-50 minutes depending on traffic. I have seen so much of your work in various mags, I would be interested in trying to work something out when your in town. I'd could be your black "limo" in waiting when you get in town lol. Robert maybe PM me and we can chat a little more about it?