Creative, commercial photographers.

How to photograph cars: Top 5 Tips

July 29, 2009

There are many reasons why people photograph cars and there are some basic tips that can help you do this. Whether you are taking shots of your car to advertise it to sell, or are working as a commercial photographer and are capturing images for a professional campaign, taking just the right photograph of a car can be of great importance.

An appealing and eye-catching photograph is the most effective way to attract attention and make people take notice. This is of course vital if you are trying to sell or inform people about a product and particularly a car.

One of the most basic things you must consider when planning to photograph a car is the equipment you are using. How professional the apparatus you require depends on the purpose of your shot. A creative or commercial photographer is much more likely to use a more expensive and capable camera than someone who is photographing their car for fun. However, no matter what camera you are using, make sure you are familiar with how it works and exactly what it can do before you start photographing the car.

Another basic tip when photographing a car is to make sure it is clean and tidy. Ensure every detail has been taken care of and that the car looks in superb condition.

Once you are happy with your equipment and the presentation of the car, it is then time to consider the background that will feature in your photograph. Try to place the car in an area with a plain background that will not draw attention to it; you want all the attention to be on the car and any subject appearing with that car.

The lighting of the photograph must then be considered. Try to photograph your car in the right light so it will really look its best. Always try to avoid having the shadow of the car in the photograph and try to position yourself so the sun is behind you when taking your shots. This way, the car should be evenly lit.

The other simple way to improve photographs of a car is to vary your position when taking the shots. Move around, try different angles and use different features on your camera. By taking lots of photographs you will likely end up with a range of suitable shots for your car photography.