how to take GREAT photos

[FirstGenZq8]

i'm starting this thread to get some tips for taking great photos. if the professional photographers on the board could post some of their best pics, how they took the photo, camera make/model, time of day the photo was shot (i'm finding the angle of the sun can make the biggest difference), etc., then i think we could have a pretty decent thread. also, amatuer photographers, like me, can post pics they've found on the internet and "ask the pros" how such photos were shot. i'll start.

what time of day was this first photo shot? also, is it overcast outside? is taking a photo when it's overcast a good idea?



i know the below pic has something to do w/ exposure rate, but that's where my knowledge ends. how did he do this?

[shawn_s]

I'm not a pro photographer by any means but ill just throw in what i have heard. First thing I have heard is that sunrise and sunset are the best time to take pics, not to sure why, so maybe someone could elaborate on that?

second is about the cameras, I'm sure most/all the pros are using DSLR cameras, which can get expensive, the best thing for amatures would be to get a smaller camera with different options, setting and adjustments. I sold cameras for a few months around christmas time, so thats just my input of what i picked up when i was there.

[BigBlockOlds]

Second pic you hold the shutter open longer. Anything that moves becomes a blur. I believe this is how they get those shots of cars on an interstate where their headlights and tailights look continuous.

[dropit69]

you sure they didnt blast by with the firetruck and he got it just at the right time..lol..cool pics indeed i just point and shoot and hope they come oput ok..lol

[MickMc]

How about some tips on shooting indoors at a car show with the overhead lights, children and funny barriers roping off cars.



Mick

[fishtail8]

One of the things that can make or break a picture for me, is background clutter. You now that picture, where it's the coolest car in the world except in the background is the guy's old toilet he just threw out the backdoor, some old gardening tools, the garbage cans, the dogs tail, the neighbour peering over the fence, all that stuff bugs me. That first picture of the Vette is good for me, nothing really distracts you from looking at the car, except that panel leaning up beside the door.... Anyways, it's a great background that's not too busy. I try to opt for a not busy background... I'm no pro, just picky...

[Vegas69]

The back ground is great in the first shot but the reflection in the paint is off the map. I am no pro but I have a Nikon D80 and have some good shots to share. My best work is usually at dusk or after and with a slow shutter speed.

[ProTouring442]

Go with a nice DSLR. I purchased a used Nikon D70, and I absolutely love it! The nice thing about digital is that you can shoot as many pics as you want without spending extra money. Then, just delete the ones that look bad.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[Samckitt]

Go with a nice DSLR. I purchased a used Nikon D70, and I absolutely love it! The nice thing about digital is that you can shoot as many pics as you want without spending extra money. Then, just delete the ones that look bad.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

Agree, I have a Cannon 10D & a 30D, they have interchangeable lenses that work with the SLR film bodies. And I just bought an 8 Gig card for $22 & it will hold more pictures that I can probably take in a week.

The original pics up top of the vette, the first was either taken at disk or dawn, at the time of the day when the sunlight is not direct harsh light. It is filtered through the clouds, could have been an overcast day too. It makes it like a soft box to difuse the light. The second pic, the camera was on a tripod with a long shutter speed & obviously the firetruck was moving which shows the blur, or movement.

[mulisha00]

I'd say for most of you guys that are looking for a high performance camera DSLR but don't want to break the bank get the Nikon D40 or D60. I love my D40.


The pic with the fire truck is a truck moving by and the shutter speed slowed way down. Also best way to describe a pic like this is where you see a waterfall and the water looks all blurry and white. To put in layman's terms you are taking a picture of something that happens for 5 seconds and making it one still shot.

[agent784]

Love the 3rd Photo Todd! Looks great! These are one of those great examples of driving out to that cool place makes a difference.

Hey Guys, another thing to consider is if you do get yourself a Digital SLR, consider a good Lens. If you like wide outdoor shots like these sometimes having a wide angle like a 16mm-35mm range is helpful.

[CruizinKev]

this is awesome! got me the bigger pic of it? need new background

[Vegas69]

this is awesome! got me the bigger pic of it? need new background

Appreciate it, one of my best that's for sure. I do have the original I can email you. PM me your address....

[yownhouse]

The back ground is great in the first shot but the reflection in the paint is off the map. I am no pro but I have a Nikon D80 and have some good shots to share. My best work is usually at dusk or after and with a slow shutter speed.

Your second picture is perfect. For your first one I advise the following techniques for everyone:
The basic golden rule of photography is the simplest is the best. The more simple you make a photo the better.

For night shots I do some of the following (depending on what I want to see).
1. either let the camera determine your best shutter speed or find what your preferred amount of light that you want entering the camera

2. Depending on the lights in the photo you want to adjust your ISO. If you want those city lights to come out more then you want a higher ISO out of the camera to capture the intensity.

3. Adjust your aperture to what you want the viewer to be focused on (this will get rid or the eye's tendency to find other objects in the background when they are blurred out). A higher number on the aperture means that it will keep more things in focus (like landscapes). and a smaller number will focus more closely on the desired object and blur out the background (like on of those macro photos of a flower).

4. This is one of the most important things for night photos.. A tripod! No matter how hard you try you will not be able to keep steady and keep things in focus since at night you will have a slower shutter speed. make sure it is on a firm ground and you have a shutter button to push off of the camera or just simply set a 2 second or so timer so you pushing the button doesn't move the camera at all.

5. don't use a flash outdoors when you have reflective objects such as that crisp clear coat . set you camera on a tripod or solid surface and let the camera do the work at capturing the light with that longer shutter speed.

following these steps will overall improve the quality and values of your photo. A good photographer can make a junker a beauty. Good luck all! Any questions about cameras, bags, lenses, tripods, etc. can be answered through me if you have any!

[Samckitt]

Here is a shot like mulisha00 is referring to. Shutter speed was set to around 15 seconds with aperature at f22 (tiny)

[radback]

Looking at the 2 corvette pics, I would say: avoid to catch your reflection

[Procharmo]

Very nice French Tranny!

[chrismoe]

Very nice French Tranny!

Scott,

Great car from any angle.

Chris

[woody80z28]

Dusk is always the sweet light for good photos, but sometimes you can't help it and have to take photos during the middle of the day. The best thing you can do is find some shade, it will soften the paint and make it look better. You can also grab a polarizing filter for additional help.

For example: the paint on my car is garbage, but in a well planned photo using a polarizer at dusk it doesn't look nearly as bad.

[mondy]

Some good photo tips:
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/hot...est/index.html