I had to go to a local cars show a couple weekends back to get some shots for my Basic Photography class final. I have to shoot Black & White Film for the class, but of course I brought my digital to get some good color shots. Let me know what you think. http://razzi.me/albums/492-stockton-car-show-and-swap-meet-04-10-2011 I have some other albums from a few other events that are there as well. I'll keep the pics to Automotive and related items. Nothing newer that say '73, since that is the year I was born.
I will need to scan my Black & White film. I'm hoping to do that today if possible. For my Black & Whites I use a Canon Rebel 2000 and in Manual Mode only. Manual is required for the class. For my Digital shots I use a Canos EOS 40D. I don't edit my pics. I don't have software for it and I try my best to shoot so I dont have to edit.
As a picture-taker from way back, I have found that the best gadget for car-show photos is the circular polarizer. As you can see, a lot of cars have reflections in the paint or the glass, so the CP is turned (always clockwise) until the reflection disappears. This kind of makes the colors better as well. Especially if you like deep blue skies. The reason you always turn the (split-ring) on a CP clockwise, is so it doesn't fall off onto the ground and go chink... One comment I often see is that people sometimes go for getting the shot perfect, and I think this is something that many schools teach. Unfortunately I was trained by a professional photographer who didn't have the luxury of time, so he was a "get the best shot you can" and then "finish it in the darkroom." I used to go with him as an assistant, as that was my initial dream job when I was in high school. He was one of those "time is money" type of personalities. His darkroom magic was very educational. I asked him if this was a good method to emulate, and he said "it worked for Ansel Adams!" ha. You couldn't call either of them a snapshot photographer, but they learned not to blow-out the negative, and fix the rest in the darkroom.
Man! I haven't checked my thread in a while. I'd gladly shoot your car! Hopefully by then I'll have more lenses and equip[ment to improve my photography with. As far me being an amature, I'll always think of myself that way until I start actually getting some money for it. All the more reason why I need to improve. Thanks for the complement though sp1ke!. Just to share! Here's a shot.
Nice work. Car shows are tough to shoot, usually dealing with crowds and harsh lighting. Nothing makes a car more popular than to pull out a camera and trying to take a picture of it. I agree that you should try to get the best shot you can "in camera", but the fact is the best of cameras cannot see has well as the human eye can, and usually require a little tweaking in the darkroom or computer. lolife mentioned Ansel Adams in his post. Adams was a master at composing and waiting for the perfect lighting, but he also spent hours in the darkroom selecting filters, paper, solutions, dodging, burning and exposure times to create his work. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
I'm surprised to learn that they actually teach shooting of B&W film these days. With the world going digital, and the sad day when Kodak discontinued Kodachrome, I have to imagine that Tri X, Tmax etc will be gone before long as well. The guy who was my best man (and a Brooks Institute grad, one of the best photg schools) owned one of the few E6 labs outside of Kodak and shut it down a couple of years ago due to a lack of business. Nice work, keep going forward!
Car shows have always been hard for me, but I always make sure that I keep my patience when it's quite crowded. I'ts funny though when I pull out my camera and lay on the ground. The looks on the faces is always worth it. As far as lighting, I usually tru my best to get what I can early in the morning, but if I find a good subject, I just do my best with the lighting even when it is really bright. As far as Ansel Adams, that's the one thing people don't realize. He really was more of a master in the darkroom than anything else. Just makes me want to get some things together so I can get a computer and photoshop. I need to do some tweaking of a lot of pictures so they don't appear to be so bright. When I had my first Rebel 2000, I asked a film lab technician about it. Come to find out, Canon had actually sent him one to try/test out. He said for the money, it was an excelent camera and to not worry about upgrading to another film camera. So when I to the class, I bought another one for less than $30 off of eBay. Then I bought the battery grip for less than $20. That thing got me an "A" in my class. Yeah! I was surprised to find out that the class was all film, all manual, and we were to do our own developing and printing. As soon as I found that out, I was happy. I wanted to learn how to use my camera propperly, and I'm learning. I just hope that the cutbacks don't do away with the Photography classes. As far as film, I use Ilford 125 B&W as suggested by the Teacher/Professor and I was very happy with it. I was also using Ilford 8X10 Multigrade IV Glossy Fiber Paper. The results were a lot of work, but I love how they turned out. It's really good paper. I'm hoping to get some more B&W Film shots while away for the next week in Wyoming. I just want to finish off the roll I have and then be ready for the Fall Semester Class. THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS AND FEEEDBACK!
Some nice stuff. You definately have an eye for it, which can do more for you than any camera can. That building with the green and white checkered pattern would make a killer backdrop for a private shoot.
Since I'm an all around (More or Less) car guy, here is a shot of my favorite place during racing season. THE CORKSCREW! Even though I really don't get to see it that much when I am there, It's still my favorite place. Oh the life of a race track volunteer!
Love the bright colors. Love to see some shot during the "the golden hour" at dusk (more like 10 minutes) keep up the good work and keep on supporting the film format.
It makes for geat shots, and scares the poop outta ya the first time you come over the hill at speed - at least it did me! Love Laguna Seca
Car shows suck. I spend more time not taking pictures than clicking away cause of the wandering brain stems. Delta FP4 is tits. (i have shot everything from 50 to 400, and that film makes my day) If you are shooting on a darkish day, try XP2. It is C41 400speed b/w. when printing it out on a digital printer it gives of this super neat sepia tinge. Lots of fun with people or scenery cause it gives off some neat tonality. As another plus is it also very flexible to shoot. Looks like you are having tons of fun, keep up the good work. See you around, I shoot all over the Bay.
toddjw73, when you get ready to try digital, check out Adobe's site http://www.photoshop.com/ It will allow you to try out a lot of the basic features of Photoshop without having to purchase any software. When you're ready to purchase a software package, give Photoshop Elements a look. The newer versions have a lot of features and is much cheaper than Photoshop CS5. You may find that Elements has all the features you need without the additional expense. At my age, if I lay on the ground to take a picture people call an ambulance.
I like the fact that you are developing different angles and aren't afraid to get dirty. You'll be a better photographer because of the training in film. I assume that you are doing some cropping, pushing film, and experimenting with different papers in the dark room. You'll understand light in a much better way because of this class. Your eye is very good. Keep up the good work. If you see a car that you really enjoy you may want to approach the owner about setting up a solo session at a later date. You'd be amazed how many owners are willing to do that. Then peg some good location with backgrounds that compliment the subject car. I see you are in NorCal. Some of those scenic view point turnouts on the coast make great photo shoots.
Yo Todd, Looking good. Check out the Friday Art Show. As much fun as I have shooting car shows, its still a tough place to work, what with the people sticking there asses in the way and all the pop up tents and porta potties. I take my time now days. I dont even try to cover an entire show. And now that I shoot film, I really work hard to frame my shots and study the background alot. To name a few folks here on the HAMB who have been a big influence on my photography...fur biscuit, Mazooma1, Buick59, Church, Chris Casny, april may, KIRK!, metalhotrodgirl, NotStockPhoto, Rolleiflex, Spike!, SuperFleye, TOE. Not even close to being a complete list...you might want to hook up with the photographers corner!!!!! here on the HAMB. Any way just have fun. Slim
WOW! I realy appreciate all the complements from everyone. I was gone all last week in Casper Wyoming. The sucky part - No one in the family had internet access. I was not happy. My only chance to get online was at a Starbucks for maybe 1 hour. I will be uploading my pics to my Razzi page. No cars, just beautiful landscape shots.
Pics look really good. Polarizing filter is nice, they screw onto the front of the lens, and you just twist them around. Very useful for cars indoors, cars picking up various reflections... I know those vehicles that you shot were parked, but I would just watch the shadows. If you were shootings pics for an article, you'd want the shadows to flow to behind the car not in front of. I'm using a Canon 30D:
Thanks for the input. I currently only have a UV filter on my 40D. I am hoping to invest in other lenses before I decide to get the Polerizer, but if I can't get a new lense anytime soon, I'll just go ahead and get the polerizers for what lenses I do have. As far as the angle of the vehicle, I usually try to get the best angle with as little shadow as possible. I'll keep your input in mind though fromnow on. That was something I never was told about. THANKS!
Hey, if you are heading to the Norcal Knockout this weekend, say hello. I will be the goober carrying the old rolleiflex and a brown camera bag.
This may be a bad place to ask but what is a circular polarizer? I understand the physics behind a linear polarizer but I have never got a good explaination of the physics behind a circular polarizer. I know that you cannot use a linear polarizer with a digital camera but I have never been given a reason. I kind of miss my old film camera, it had a certain charm sorta like an old car. Charlie Stephens
I wish I was able to go. It seems that when a good show comes up, I have other things that have to be done. My next for sure show to hit, is Poorboys Midnight Mass. I went for the first time 2 years ago, and I had a great time. I missed last year due to other event conflicts. I may also try to hit the next Stockton Show & Swap on the 17th.
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