Five Steps to Better Automotive Photography

Automotive photography is a fascinating and challenging genre of photography that requires both technical skill and an artistic eye. Whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist, capturing stunning images of cars, trucks, and motorcycles can be a rewarding experience. In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and techniques for taking great automotive photos.

1.  Choose the right equipment. The first step to taking great automotive photos is to choose the right equipment. A DSLR camera is usually the best choice, as it provides more control over the settings and allows you to use a variety of lenses. A wide-angle lens can be especially useful for capturing the entire car in one shot, while a telephoto lens can be used for close-up shots of specific details.

2. Find the right location. The location of your shoot can make a huge difference in the outcome of your photos. Choose a location that complements the style of the car you're shooting. For example, a vintage car might look great in a rustic, countryside setting, while a modern sports car might look best in an urban environment.

3. Pay attention to lighting. Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography, and automotive photography is no exception. Natural light is often the best choice, as it can create interesting shadows and highlights. However, if you're shooting indoors or during overcast weather, you might need to use artificial lighting. Consider using reflectors or diffusers to manipulate the light and create the desired effect.

4. Experiment with angles and perspectives. To create visually interesting images, don't be afraid to experiment with different angles and perspectives. Try shooting from high above the car or from ground level. Shoot from the side or from the front, and don't forget to get close-up shots of specific details, such as the wheels or the interior.

5. Consider post-processing. Post-processing can be a valuable tool for enhancing your automotive photos. Adjusting the exposure, contrast, and color can help bring out the details of the car and create a more striking image. However, be careful not to overdo it – too much editing can make the photo look artificial.

In conclusion, automotive photography can be a challenging but rewarding genre of photography. By choosing the right equipment, location, and lighting, experimenting with angles and perspectives, and considering post-processing, you can capture stunning images of cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

So grab your camera and hit the road – there's a whole world of automotive photography waiting to be explored!

PROJECT TITAN - Wounded Warriors Project Truck

Nissan North America contacted me a few months ago and asked if I'd like to shoot some product shots of a heavily modified Nissan Titan they were going to use to send wounded warriors on adventures within Alaska. The request came in on a Wednesday. The challenge was that the truck needed to leave the following Monday for Alaska. That is an extremely compressed time frame to plan and execute a product shoot of this size. I told them that I was all-in for the project.

I remember hanging up the phone and immediately calling the folks at Vulcan Materials in Franklin, TN. Kevin McCarty answered the phone. I told him about the project and asked him if I could shoot the truck at their rock quarry in Franklin. He jumped into action. This was not a simple request. Rock quarries are heavily regulated by the government and have some of the strictest safety guidelines you'll ever encounter for a photography location. Kevin was a true warrior in the way that he was able to (a) convince his management team to allow us to do it, and (b) convince the government regulators that it could be done safely. In my opinion, Kevin worked a miracle. He called me back in the late afternoon the following day and told me that he was able to work it out. He only had one request. He wanted to be able to bring their veterans down to the shoot location to see the truck. I said no problem, let's do it. I told him that I would even shoot some pictures of Vulcan's veterans with the truck for their internal news magazine.

Looking back on the project, there was no better location for this truck. This thing was a beast. When I pulled into the quarry there were rocks the size of houses. It was the perfect location for the shoot.

As you can see from the photos, this was a spectacular location. One of the constant challenges during the shoot was trying to keep the truck clean. At the very end, we didn't even try to clean, we just shot it dirty. And, wow - it looked good dirty!

This was an amazing project to work on. One of the best moments of the day was when the veterans that work for Vulcan joined us at one of the locations to look at the truck. They were so happy to be a part of this project. I really enjoyed getting to meet them and hear their stories.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this shoot a huge success. The folks at Vulcan Material really went the extra mile to make this happen, and I couldn't have asked to work with a better group of guys.