How to shoot better auto photographs - UPDATED 11-15-02 - Page 2 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

polvoronn · 22nd January 2002, 05:42

Thanks for the tips Greg! This post, as with all the other ones, is very informative! Even moreso for me since I'm just starting to get into photography as a real hobby.

Thanks again!

btw, those are some pretty gorgeous shots you got in that gallery

-paolo

greg · 22nd January 2002, 06:16

Jim Dolan - The turbo tails shot was taken with the e10, zoomed in fully and with their 1.45x extender. comes out to about 200mm, I think. They have a 400mm extension too, which I WISH I had - and can't decide whether to buy it, or wait until I invest in my next camera, which will probably be a Nikon or Canon that takes their 35mm interchangeable lenses.

Hummingbird shot was with same lens, and you're right - I had to stand there for a long time until the birds accepted me (they're pretty brazen). But I had to keep the camera up to my eye and energized so the strobe would fire - and holding it up there that long was tough!

here's another one:

atomic80 · 22nd January 2002, 08:37

As someone who's also an avid photographer, I thought I should also be one to chime in.

I agree with all of the sentiments that were said here in this thread.

Sometimes it can really increase the dramatic sense of the whole image by using angled shots. For instance..some of these shots that I'd taken recently uses a variety of high/low/angled approaches to convey a feeling of heightened drama.

This is the only shot that differs from the "angles" approach in the sense that having a blurry shot can actually take an artistic approach in how an image is presented.

On a final note, just as Greg said in his post, it's very important not to have too much sunlight. I agree with this sentiment. All of my shots were taken with indirect lighting.

I'm very impressed with the way my digital camera has been able to correctly calculate exposure times without giving me too much light/contrast.

greg · 22nd January 2002, 08:42

Jason - nice shots. Great illustration of the use of "odd" angles to add interest to your shots.

EBMCS03 · 22nd January 2002, 08:48

Wow... Great tips Greg! Thanks... I think I have to re-read everything again hehe

lear · 22nd January 2002, 14:51

greg, like everyone else said THANKS! for all you do to make this the best messageboard out there. What other how to's have you authoured? I remember the shifting ones, what else though? I want to print them out and stick them next to my trusty pocket reference book. I will do a search later!

IvanDias · 22nd January 2002, 15:29

Thanks Greg. Top Work. Again.

I loved that yacht picture under the bay bridge you posted a while back too.

I`m going to go and re-read my cameras manual and practise some of your techniques too. Maybe it will spice up my website a bit.

You certainly don`t do things by half do you? LOL. Detailing cars, photography, launch techniques.....

What next?
With your abilities you could try...

"Gregs Guide to World Peace"

"Zen and the Art of M5 Maintenance"

"Everything you wanted to know about Lightsabre manufacture, but were afraid to ask"

"Detailing for Dummies" & "Learn to Detail in 24 Hrs"

"Build your own McLaren F1 engine, in weekly parts, free binder with issue 1"

"Deep sea wreck diving with Greg"

"Porsche on the limit, or `How I won the LeMans 24Hr in 23Hrs`"

"Walking on water for non-swimmers"

"Schumacher and Me"

"FTL travel - theory and application"

"Dating Britney"

Keep it up, you make this board the best !!

Ivan.

Stealthne · 22nd January 2002, 15:42

Thanks Greg,

Maybe I'll take my camera off Automatic now!

I hate not knowing what all the settings are for.

/Eric

AJP · 22nd January 2002, 16:22

Greg - fantastic photo's and tips!

atomic80 - ditto!

IvanDias - I haven't laughed so much in years!!

This is a quality board.

Ad.

atomic80 · 22nd January 2002, 17:06

I didn't want you guys to think that I've got a one track mind here with all those photos of just my car! I'm perfectly cabable of taking pictures of other things!

Another good method for taking good photos is to use a tripod and no flash! This is especially the case if you want to take "long exposure" shots which basically means that the shutter is set to stay open for longer periods of time. This is good for taking shots like this:

Or this:

And last but not least, my favorite shot of my hometown, Seattle!