Any recommendations on how to photograph a dark car?

[hunt2elk]

I am trying to get some decent shots of my Charger and am having issues with reflections and glare with the dark paint. I waited until the sun went below the tree line and tried a bunch of different angles. Any recommendations from amateur photographers out there?

 

[steve from staten island]

Your car looks terrific. Have you tried taking a picture outdoors but in complete shade or maybe on a overcast day?

 

[themechanic]

Try this site: http://www.carphototutorials.com/the_secrets_behind_a_great_car_photo.html

 

[HawkRod]

I think you got some really good shots. Actually, the second to last picture you posted is one of my favorites - it shows how nice the body is.

As Steve says, maybe shoot a few shots on an overcast day, maybe near sunrise or sunset so you have more limited light. As you reduce the light, you will need to increase the exposure time, so then you will get to a point where you need a tripod. I think if you try to use too little light your dark car will blend into the dark surroundings. I like the green background you had in many of your shots.

Good luck and have fun! Hopefully I will be soon worrying about the same kinds of issues and not just building the darn thing!

 

[PP1RT]

Agree with the others also find an open area so you dont get all the shadows from trees,poles,buildings, etc. Love the keystones by the way.

 

[TekHousE]

Circular Polarizer filter will cut nearly all of the reflections.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Here's a picture of a 70 Cornet R/T taken at night with no light & filters whatsoever. You can see that when photographed under these conditions, the true beauty of that body is really brought out.

 

[Photon440]

Your shot is a little out of focus in the foreground RC, but I like the dramatic effect with that wildlife.

 

[747mopar]

Looks like just taking the photos around noon would help, shouldn't be nearly as many shadows cast on your car. Looks great Hunt.

 

[MOPOWER871]

What type of camera are you using ,?digital, there are good digital photo editing programs that are free to down load I use Pacasa3Morning and evening is a good time to shot .the light is warmer, softer . remember try to use a tri-pod and camera set on timer setting,.if you must shoot in low light, set your ISO setting higher.Also you have a lot of trees in yor shot try will cast reflective shadows, try shooting from a step ladder or a high vantage point.practice practice practice . Sweet car

 

[kiwigtx]

Here's a picture of a 70 Cornet R/T taken at night with no light & filters whatsoever. You can see that when photographed under these conditions, the true beauty of that body is really brought out.

You should wear pants next time you take the same photo :sideways tongue:

 

[GetX'd]

A black charger - sweet looking car. You have a lot of good advice above. I would try the lens filters, F-stop changes, and or the photoshop drill where you can advance or retard the light and cut out or dim reflections. Lots of good options to take pics of a beauty of A car like that.

Im hoping I'm going to have the same issues in a couple of months...... It's not black but painted a dark color. Pls post some of your pics when you feel you've got it where you want it.

 

[72Fourspeed]

Spray the pavement with a water hose. Cheap, helps a bunch. My 79 T/A was black & that's what the photography nut girlfriend did.

 

[Car Nut]

Here's a good picture taken in a hanger.

 

[TekHousE]

He is not asking about shadows..he asked about REFLECTIONS! Shooting at noon will do bugger all.

 

[hunt2elk]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I think the biggest problem is that I have to get away from the trees. I will have to find a smooth background to eliminate most of the reflections and do it right when the sun is about to set.

 

[Richard Cranium]

You should wear pants next time you take the same photo :sideways tongue:

Placing that particular smilie after saying what you wrote is scaring me.

 

[kiwigtx]

Placing that particular smilie after saying what you wrote is scaring me.

That was the idea :icon_joker:

 

[patrick66]

Pictures should NEVER be taken indoors. Indoor areas do not allow the true colors to show. Florescent lighting is an absolute no-no. Outdoors on an overcast day, with minimum background distractions, is best, if the car is the focus of the pictures. You don't want a tree, power pole or fence post appear to be sticking through the car. No pets or other people in the pic, either; unless you want a "cutesy" look that only you are going to appreciate. Pictures on grass are bad, too. Cars belong on pavement or gravel.

I take pictures for an auto inspection company, so I try to find an empty (or nearly so) parking lot to do what I need to do. With that in mind, position the car INSIDE a lined parking spot, and do not straddle lines. THAT is very distracting, just like trees and poles. Or, position the car so that it looks like it's driving through the lot.

Turn the front tires away from the camera, if taking a shot with the wheel turned. Do NOT point the tread at the camera - it makes for a goofy-looking picture, plus it looks like half the wheel well is empty...another distraction.

Windows all UP is best! All down is OK, but UP looks best. If taking pics of a convertible, if the top is UP, the windows are UP. If the top is DOWN, the windows NEED to be DOWN.

 

[wvmarv]

I think no matter how you look at it that is one sweet ride. If you were in an open area where trees and limbs wouldn't show up in the picks would look great. Like the right rear quarter panel in the 7th picture down. You can see just how straight that panel and body line is.