Picture Taking Tips

Author: Administration  (more...)

Pictures Taking Tips on CarMemories.com

The picture galleries grow regularly as more and more owners send in pictures of their cars. That's great! All contributions are welcome. Your car pictures are wanted in the site. However, not all the images are great shots of the cars. Here are some suggestions for taking pictures of your car.

1. The picture must be digitized, of course, to put on the net which means you need scan the image or use a digital camera. There are many formats you can save the scanned image as. However, the web only uses specific types.  The image on CarMemories.com must be JPG, though.

 2. When you shoot a picture, make sure the car is the primary focus of the picture. A cluttered background takes away from the car.  Choose the location for the shot carefully. Look through the lens and see the picture. Does it flatter the car?  Or does it distract from the car?  The image on the left shows a real distracting background. I shot it at a car show which is a difficult place to get good shots. The house in the background takes away from the car and is distracting. Center the car and don't cut off the ends.  Show the whole car, please. Also watch the shadows in your picture. Shoot from the lighted side and do not shoot into the sun.  Shiny cars also reflect flashes and sun light. Shoot at an angle rather than straight on if that is an issue. Look through the pictures on CarMemories for ideas. What pictures do you like? Which ones do not flatter the car? Look for the images that stand out and copy them.

3. Take a series of shots of your car. Try different angles. Front shot, both sides, from the front corners, rear corners, and from the rear. Take a picture of unique things about your car like the emblem or shifter or the wheels. Look at the picture you see through the viewer, that's what the picture will be like. Does that shot flatter the car, or the background? I've made some great shots in a busy area using different lenses and focal lengths, focusing on the car and blurring the background.  Engine and interior shots are difficult to get  good pictures. After all how many ways can you take a picture of an engine? Play with several different angles. Interiors are tough because of poor lighting inside. You might try additional lighting to provide more light or do it on a bright day. If your camera is automatic, and its bright outside, your lens will not open enough for an interior shot. It will turn out too dark. You might try fooling your camera or use a manual lens.

4.  Using a digital camera. Great simple idea. However, digital cameras have their limitations. I've learned that they are more sensitive to light sources. Too much or too little light will spoil the shot. I did some of a black and silver  1978 Corvette on a cloudy day. The camera got confused and bled the black car into the background and adjusted for the silver bottom. At least with a digital camera you can see the results immediately. Practice makes perfect.

Here is another poor shot of that 78 Vette. Not only is the background cluttered, the lighting is poor. The sky was somewhat overcast late in the day. With the subdued light it looked like it was a good time for taking pictures but it wasn't with an automatic digital camera. Car shows are not good places to get great shots, odds are really against you. 

Just some suggestions on shooting pictures of your car. Imagination, practice and some luck are needed to get some great shots. The picture should say something about the car and maybe the owner. What do your pictures say? Nice tree growing out of the hood??? Or what a great shot of your car??? Look at the picture, where do your eyes go first. To the car or the background? Where do they go next?

Please also include information about your car and you. How did you acquire it? How long has it been in the family? Do you have any interesting stories about the car or things that have happened while you've owned it? Does the car have any interesting history? What have you done to the car since you acquired it? Tell me the story about your car. You can upload stories and reference articles in CarMemories.com.

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