Photography tips thread

[Jaimecbr900]

Ok, this is my thread so I'm going to set up the ground rules right here and now.

#1. No directly negative posts. You can say, "I don't like doing this or I don't like when people do that..", but this is NOT a call-out thread. You can make that on your own.

#2. Post up your own tips and ideas as you think they will help others.

#3. Do not make this into a Canon vs Nikon thread. We all know who's better anyway.....CANON.....JP. Seriously, no concentration of brand vs brand. If you want to say that a certain brand of lens is not worth buying, that's Ok. But no Canon is better than ______, just because you have Canon.

#4. If you like a tip that you read on here, let the author know it helped. If this thread turns into photogs just talking to themselves, it will be boring very quickly. You want to keep it going, then let the people helping you know they are and I'm certain they'll continue to do so.

#5. It would be nice to do some reviews on some of the equipment, literature, websites, and experiences. So if you want to post up a picture and get critiqued, then do so. Just don't get all butt hurt when someone tears it apart and tells you the harsh reality. I will propose this though: If you're quick to critique, then YOU have to post up a pic of YOURS to back-up your critique. In other words, if you say, "that pic sucks because it's blown out and composed like shit...." then YOU have to post up a pic of YOURS that shows how it's properly done. If you don't, then don't critique at all. This way we'll keep people from constantly being a negative Nancy and work more towards being positive more often.

Finally, understand that this thread is to help everyone out. This is not about who is a pro and who isn't. It's about turning something positive out of all of us getting aggravated with certain situations.

Any questions? Post up.

[Jaimecbr900]

Ok, I'll start it then:

Some books that I've found helpful (in no particular order):

#1. "Get the most from your digital camera" By: Simon Johnson.

This is an older book and very basic, as things go. It does however cover all the true essentials from camera functions to composition to some processing. It has about 160 pgs, but has lots of big pictures so it's not like reading the Dictionary. It is a book written in the U.K., so somethings don't really apply and they "misspell" a few words quite often (colour.....), but that doesn't take away from the content. It is a good book to pick up when you're getting started.

#2. "Photography- a practical guide" By: Ailsa Mcwhinnie and Philip Andrews.

This is also an older book. It is a hard back and kinda lengthy (300+ pgs), but has great content. It covers such topics as, "getting to know your camera", "Composition", "Natural light", "Using flash", "Close-up and Macro", "B&W", etc. It also covers such theories as "Digital vs Film", "art of printing", and "manipulating". It has quite a bit of information in it and I have lots of pages ear marked for future reference. Being that it's a little outdated, some of the tips about using PS 7.0 are no longer applicable. But the theories and ideas still apply today. Good book overall due to the amount of content.

#3. "The complete guide to Light & Lighting in digital Photography" By: Michael Freeman.

This is a very good book if you want to work on your lighting. It covers everything from theory to applications. I liked this one because it covered different kind of lighting rigs and situations to use them. This is one of my weaknesses so I'm always reading about lighting. I've not gotten to a point where I feel proficient at it, so this is one of the books I've picked up to work on that. It's a little lengthy and to be honest is above my head at times, but it does give you a good grasp on things. It covers hystogram readings and mixed light sources, which is something you can always use. It's a good book IMO. I've enjoyed it and still go back to reference to it quite often.

#4. "The Photoshop CS2 book for digital photographers" By: Scott Kelby.

This a great book. It shows you a ton of tips to use when post-processing your work. It showed me a bunch of tricks, which I've since forgotten....This book covers EVERYTHING about PS2. Even if you don't use PS2, it still a good book to get if you can't find an updated one for your application (PS3 for example) because a lot of their stuff is still applicable. It's kinda lengthy (450+pgs), but it is full of cool stuff. This is another book that I've got ear marked all over the place. If I remember correctly, it came with a CD too. The back cover even has a tear out to use to set up your custom WB (white card). Great book. I'm sure the newer ones are just as good or better.

#5. "Moments- The Pulitzer Prize winning photographs" By: Hal Buell.

This book is NOT a "How-to" type book. This is more of a history book. It shows 300+ pgs of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs taken over time. It tells you the story behind the photo(s), which are often very interesting. It also gives you basic information about the equipment used to shoot it. This book is mainly about history of both the world at a certain time and photography of it. I suspect only a handful of people will find this book useful or even entertaining. There are some graphic pictures in there, so be aware of that. I personally liked it a lot, but please pick it up and thumb through it BEFORE you buy it. It may not be for everyone.

#6. ANY photography magazine.

There's always useful info in them. Some are a little more annoying because they're U.K. based which means that some of their conclusions don't apply to us, but they always still have useful info elsewhere. Remember that some are more ad driven, i.e. will always talk nicely about their advertisers no matter what, so take their "reviews" as such. I love periodicals because they are the most up to date and give me a chance to find more about where to buy certain things. Drawback sometimes is that I get caught by the "hook" of the ad and buy things that I probably don't ever need.

[A.P. Photography]

Websites that I have either gotten great info, feedback, or ideas from are:

www.photography-on-the.net <- Canon specific forum but still great info
www.photozo.com <- General photog site with "classes" that can help you in certain areas
www.nikonians.org <- Nikon specific forum
www.FredMiranda.com <- Lots of big dogs on that forum as well as a great for sale section
www.automotivephoto.net <- This is where the big dogs play that shoot cars for a living.


I have a couple books at home I will have to look up tonight and post.

Also, depending on what area you are interested in just study magazines. For example "Import Tuner" or "Super Street". Look at how they composed the shot, if any lights were used and if so at what angle, was there something that stood out about a shot that you want to try.

Since I do shoot cars on occasion I will say one thing that I do is I spend at least 5 to 10 mins just walking around the car and looking at backgrounds, angles, lighting, and possible compositions. I never even touch the camera or pull it out of the bag. I simply create a vision of what the shot should look like. Ask Speedminded or Jaime, they have both seen me do this numerous times. I have the same approach when shooting models as well. You need to have a mental "photograph" in your head and then work to capture that mental image in the camera.

[changaroo]

<reserved for my informative post, lol>

[speedminded]

I'll try updating this list with photos for each:

http://ruji.net


http://www.eastonchang.com/


http://www.soete.com/cars/


http://www.johnthawley.com/


http://hameisterphoto.com/


http://www.michaelfurman.com/


http://www.dukesphotography.com/


http://www.tjphoto.com


http://www.jasontbarker.com/


http://dejansokolovski.com/


http://www.stefanmarjoram.com/


http://www.evankleinfilms.com/


http://www.m2autophoto.com/

[Jaimecbr900]

I know both of yall have plenty to add to this. So get to it!!!!

[DinanM3atl]

I got nothing... hehe

[A.P. Photography]

Halston, you got some good car shots. Just post up some tips that you do when shooting

[Andy_013]

I am not a photographer, but I saw this on JTuned.

Top 8 DON'T - As Advised By 'Speed' Magazine
-Don't shoot your car on grass or sand (You wouldn't believe how many times this came up over the article) leave it for the cows.
- Don't allow telegraph poles or trees to be in the background as it will look like they are sticking out of your cars roof.
- Don't leave windows half open.
- Don't shoot dark cars in the middle of the day.
- Don't have shadows cast under or over the car.
- Don't forget to wash your car, dirt really shows up in pictures.
- Don't just take one shot.

I know most of them a gimmies but you'd be surprised how many cars I see on here not following the most obvious ones.

Top 8 DOS - As Advised By 'Speed' Magazine
- Do shoot your car on concrete or asphalt; it looks natural
- Do shoot dark cars in soft ambient late-afternoon light. (Sunset always looks awesome)
- Do examine the paint all the paintwork for clean, simple reflections
- Do point the wheels AWAY from the camera (so everyone can see your wicked expensive rims)
- Do keep the background clean and simple (remember it’s about your ride not the scenery)
- Do try to find a low angle that will make your car look phat.
- Do detail everything, such as windows, tires and inner guards.
- Do experiment and practice.

Other photo tips from professional photographers such as Mark Bean, Guy Bowden, Cristian Brunnelli or Tony Rabbitte.

- Shoot dark cars at sunset or sunrise, shoot bright cars in sunshine. Pearl, candy and metallic need sun and lots of it.
- Again NO grass, sand or trees growing out of the roof.
- Gaffer tape is a useful waxing tool on carpet if a vacuum cleaner is not at the ready.
- Black the tires, black the tires, black the tires.
- Check the off-camera objects and make sure your mates yellow R32 isn't reflecting in your beautiful paintwork. Ensure your shots are clean. Top photographers use the reflection of the landscape horizon to emphasize body lines.
- Hit the deck cars look great from a low angle, giving that mean outta-my-way stance. Beware of ants.
- Do try taking shots of your car on the move action shots always look great.
- Again make sure your car is immaculately clean with all those little extras not forgotten.
- When taking interior shots park the whole car in a shaded area.
- Study your subject first. Walk around the car and view it at different view points, to see which angle looks best.
- Don't be afraid to move your car around, this will make your collection more diverse.

If it does not fit this thread you can delete it.

[Tracy]

We use this book in school: "Get the most from your digital camera" By: Simon Johnson.

[DinanM3atl]

I disagree with the 'no grass'. It can and does work.


Tracy I replied to your thread about downtown photog

Halston, you got some good car shots. Just post up some tips that you do when shooting

I will. Was just joshin'

[.blank cd]

subscribed

[speedminded]

I disagree with the 'no grass'. It can and does work.

Truck yes, car no. Vehicles should be shot in their "natural habitat". A car in grass is as ridiculously looking as shooting a 4 wheeler or dirt bike on asphalt...

[bandydesign]

I will add more eventually... but here are some key points:

Study Study Study composition. All you have to do is look at other photos. (Maybe I shouldn't be saying this... but I have a couple shots to back it up )

Don't get discouraged!!! If you want to improve be willing to accept 100% critique.
Don't worry too much on that one... if you post on IA... someone will like it

[speedminded]

I will add more eventually... but here are some key points:

Study Study Study composition. All you have to do is look at other photos. (Maybe I shouldn't be saying this... but I have a couple shots to back it up )

Don't get discouraged!!! If you want to improve be willing to accept 100% critique.
Don't worry too much on that one... if you post on IA... someone will like it

I just made my first reply a list of top automotive photographers, I know there's hundreds more!

[green91]

Ditch your p&s and get a real camera (dslr)








i kid i kid.

[bandydesign]

I just made my first reply a list of top automotive photographers, I know there's hundreds more!

Perfect! I want to tag on a couple more:

http://devinlefevere.net/

and one of the photographers who I enjoy following all of his work:

http://notbland.com/

[DinanM3atl]

Truck yes, car no. Vehicles should be shot in their "natural habitat". A car in grass is as ridiculously looking as shooting a 4 wheeler or dirt bike on asphalt...

Sorry but this shot is awesome... And it isn't the only shot of something "outside it's natural habitat" that looks good.

[EJ_Allmota]

Great info, i see this thread possibly making a difference in the photos seen in the Car Pics forum..

[.blank cd]

Great info, i see this thread possibly making a difference in the photos seen in the Car Pics forum..

Meh.....I wont hold my breath on that one.

[bandydesign]

Meh.....I wont hold my breath on that one.

A few of us will take this info to heart. I plan on doing a little research and getting some critique on here. I know I have plenty of room for improvement and I want to get some help!

[.blank cd]

Sure, OUR (as photographers) car pics will improve, but its unlikely the normal peoples pics will...know what i mean?

[bandydesign]

If they won't take advise they will never improve. That does not make this thread any less worth while. I'm sure we are on the same page tho

[DinanM3atl]

If they won't take advise they will never improve. That does not make this thread any less worth while. I'm sure we are on the same page tho

Correct!

[YokotaS13]

my tip?
Less super obvious stupid HDR, more suttle HDR.
better yet, no more HDR. it seems HDR is the lens flare of 2003