Automotive Photography: 101 guide
Automotive photography is a fun way to combine your passion for cars with your love of photography. Whether you’re new to this niche, or an automotive enthusiast looking to capture stunning images, this guide will help you get started. We’ll cover essential gear, camera settings, and useful tips to help you take great pictures of cars.
The Gear
Camera
Camera: Invest in a quality camera mirrorless that allows you to shoot in RAW.
Recommended Models: Sony Alpha series, Canon EOS R, or Nikon Z series.
Memory Card: Opt for a card that is large enough to handle RAW images to ensure you don’t run out of space during crucial moments. Additionally, prioritize speed by choosing cards with high write speeds that not only allow you to review images instantly after taking them, but also allows you to transfer these images to other devices in a few minutes.
Tripod: A sturdy tripod is a must for long exposure shots which is likely if you’re shooting in low light conditions, or are using a very low shutter speed.
Only invest in the gear that you’ll actually be using.
Lenses
Standard Zoom Lens (24-70mm): Versatile for various angles. One of my go-to lenses is the 24-70mm. 24mm is wide enough to capture the interior while 50-70 is awesome for detail shots.
Telephoto Lens (70-200mm): Great for details and action shots from a distance. This is another go-to lenses that I enjoy using as it creates a compression effect that makes objects in the background appear closer to the subject.
Wide-Angle Lens (16-35mm): For tight spaces and landscape shots. A 20mm lens is good for interior shots. Be careful not to distort the shape of the car if you’re shooting the exterior with using wide-angle lenses.
If I could only pick one lens, it would be the 24-70mm, followed by the 70-200mm. Going below 24mm isn’t necessary unless you’re operating in very tight spaces, or if you have artistic reasons to do so. While I do like to use prime lenses for other genres, I find switching lenses to be a hassle especially if I’m on the clock. An f/2.8 24-70mm lens is all you need when starting out.
Top Row: 70-200mm
Bottom Row: 24-70mm
Filters
A Circular Polarizing (CPL) filter is a valuable tool in automotive photography, helping you manage reflections and boost color saturation for cleaner, more vibrant images. Here’s why using a CPL filter is essential:
Reduce Reflections on Glass and Paint: Cars have reflective surfaces, from windows to shiny paint, that can create unwanted glare or highlight distracting reflections. A CPL filter helps control these reflections to a certain degree, letting you showcase the car’s design without capturing reflections of the surrounding environment. Rotate the filter until the reflections are minimized for a clean, clear view of the car.
Enhance Saturation and Contrast: By reducing reflected light, a CPL filter brings out richer colors, making blues, greens, and metallic finishes more vivid. This effect can enhance contrast between the car and its surroundings, making your composition look more dynamic.
Cut Through Haze: A CPL filter can also help reduce atmospheric haze in landscape shots, making distant backgrounds appear clearer. This is especially useful when photographing cars outdoors or in scenic locations, as it adds depth and sharpness to your background.
Maintain a Natural Look: Unlike some post-processing techniques that can sometimes look artificial, the effects of a CPL filter are natural, simply enhancing the image without altering it excessively. This can be ideal for achieving an authentic, professional look straight out of the camera.
When using a CPL filter, remember that its effects change depending on the angle of the light so adjusting the filter as you compose your shot can help you control reflections and contrast. Make sure you adjust the filter everytime you switch from portrait to landscape!
Make sure to invest a good quality CPL Filter! Get a bigger size filter and step-up rings to adapt it to multiple lenses and save a few bucks. I’ve used cheaper and premium filters, and I recommend just getting a premium filter, such as NiSi CPL filters to get color accurate images and make your life easy in post-process.
A CPL filter is a must in automotive photography especially if you’re going to be shooting outdoor.
Lighting
Speedlights: Speedlights are excellent for creating dynamic, powerful lighting effects and can be used creatively in various environments. They can be attached to your camera’s hot shoe or used off-camera with remote triggers, making them a popular choice for both amateurs and professionals.
Strobes: While speedlights are portable and versatile, strobes offer significant advantages in power, consistency, and flexibility, making them a preferred choice for serious automotive photographers. These are heavier relatively speaking and will require time to setup once on location, making them less convenient if you’re a run-and-gun type of photographer.
Continuous Lights: Continuous lighting, on the other hand, provides the ability to visualize your lighting setup in real-time, making it easier to achieve the desired look. Depending on your specific needs and shooting conditions, you may find one or the other (or both) essential for capturing stunning images of cars.
Reflectors: By directing light to the areas of the car that need it most, reflectors allow you to achieve a more professional and dynamic composition. Whether you’re shooting outdoors or in controlled environments, incorporating reflectors into your setup can significantly elevate the quality of your automotive photography.
If you’re shooting outdoors on a sunny or overcast day, you will likely not need any of these unless it’s for artistic reasons.
The Camera Settings
Aperture: Use f/2.8 to f/5.6 for shallow depth of field (close ups/detail shots) and f/8 to f/11 for landscapes, if you want to keep everything in focus.
Shutter Speed: As a rule of thumb, faster speeds (1/500 sec or faster) for moving cars; slower speeds for static shots, but be cautious of camera shake.
ISO: Keep ISO as low as possible in bright conditions (100-300); increase in low light if needed. Different cameras handle noise at various ISO settings due to factors like sensor size, lens aperture, shutter speed, etc.
Focus Mode: Use continuous focus for moving cars to maintain focus on the subject. This will make the subject appear clear and crisp.
White Balance: Set this according to your lighting conditions, or shoot in Auto White Balance and RAW so you have the option to make adjustments to it in post-processing.
Dive deeper into camera settings
Aim to strike the perfect combination between aperture, shutter speed and ISO to get the best exposure and least amount of noise.
Tips for Capturing Great Automotive Photos
Composition: plays a crucial role in creating visually striking automotive photographs. Here are some tips to help you compose your shots effectively:
Frame the Car with the Surroundings: Position the car within an interesting environment, like urban architecture, a winding road, or a natural landscape. The surroundings should complement the car, creating a cohesive story.
Consider Symmetry and Balance: Symmetry can add a sense of harmony and stability to your composition. Center the car within the frame if the background has symmetrical elements, or position it slightly off-center for a more dynamic feel. Balance can also come from aligning the car with other elements, such as a line of trees or buildings in the background.
Experiment with Framing Techniques: Use framing to direct the viewer’s eye toward the car. For example, capture the car through tree branches, a doorway, or even using the reflection in a puddle. Framing can add depth and layers to your image, creating a more immersive experience.
Pay Attention to Leading Lines: Roads, railings, and pathways are perfect leading lines that can guide the viewer’s gaze toward the car. Incorporate these lines creatively to make the composition more engaging and to draw attention to the vehicle.
Shoot from Different Angles: Don’t stick to eye-level shots; get low or shoot from a high angle. Shooting low can make the car look more powerful and dominant, while a higher angle can highlight the car’s shape or reveal more of the surrounding environment.
Leave Space for Movement: If the car is in motion, leave space in front of it to suggest movement and a sense of direction. This “leading space” can make the image feel more dynamic and energetic, giving the impression that the car is headed somewhere exciting.
Scout Locations: Look for interesting backdrops that complement the car (urban, industrial, or nature).
Look for Reflections and Shadows: Reflections can add visual interest to your composition, especially if the car has a glossy finish. Similarly, shadows can create a sense of depth to the image.
Experiment with reflections on the car’s body, windows, or in nearby surfaces, like puddles, to introduce another layer to your composition.Shoot During Golden Hour: The best light is during golden hour—just after sunrise or before sunset.
Detail Shots: Capture finer details of the car. For example, headlights, grill, wheels, taillights, pedals, shift knob, gauges, etc.
Don’t forget to grab detail shots of emblems and badges!
Using these compositional techniques will elevate your automotive photography, making each image not only technically sound but visually captivating.
Conclusion
Getting started with automotive photography can be incredibly rewarding. With the right gear, camera settings, and a creative eye, you can capture stunning images that showcase your passion for cars. Remember to practice regularly, learn from each shoot, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different styles and techniques. We will dive deeper into post-processing next, but for now get out there and PRACTICE!