The *Official Photography Thread*

Wow, killer looking rig!! I like the location and the angle of this photo. Not too busy or distracting. I've been playing around with automotive photography the past few weeks and have been learning a lot (still not an expert by any means).

I would frame and/or crop these types of photos so the truck is "driving into" the frame rather than "driving out". Does that make sense? As it is currently, it is driving out of the frame.

Another little tip I myself just learned recently is the use of a circular polarizer when shooting shiny objects such as cars. You can use the polarizer to kill the reflections on the windshield and hood or side of a vehicle. For example this shot I took two days ago:



The polarizer removes the sky reflections off the windshield and lets the viewer focus on the lines of the vehicle.

You can even go crazy and start merging exposures to kill the top AND side reflections:



All just tips and I'm right there with you in learning all this. I've only just started scratching the surface.

 

Old photo from the 90's somewhere near treeline on the front range of Colorado

 

@davidpick @Nightstr

The Subaru forum I'm on has an excellent automotive photography thread. Lots of really good info hidden throughout it, with tons of pictures and feedback from members. I don't consider myself a superb photographer by any means but I think that thread has helped me improve quite a bit over the past few months.


Link to thread:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2746853&page=79




I quoted this post from one of them, who does some incredible work:

 

LOL David I just noticed you're already on that thread. I see you posted on the last page.

 

just picked up a d3300 can't wait to start shooting! nice pics guys.

 

Did some photos for a couple friends last night.


RB25 swapped S13 drift missle

DSC07558 by Josh Shipps, on Flick

DSC07592 by Josh Shipps, on Flickr


2013 turbo-back/tuned STI

DSC07522 by Josh Shipps, on Flickr

DSC07517 by Josh Shipps, on Flickr

 

From a vacation a couple years back. Thought I'd play around a little with LR.

 

A few from the past couple nights:


DSC07817 by Josh Shipps, on Flickr

DSC07712 by Josh Shipps, on Flickr


DSC07875 by Josh Shipps, on Flickr

 

Are you getting paid for these Josh? You have been all over the street scene lately.

 

Maybe, maybe not

 

Did a road trip last week.

Morro Bay:




Yosemite:






Lake Folsom:

 

I assumed you were haha. Sweet shots man.

 

I'm currently not haha. I probably could though, but it's all for friends and people that I know right now. And it's been good practice, i've learned a lot just the past couple months with LR processing and composing shots differently and whatnot. If I got asked to by someone I didn't know I'd certainly charge them a bit.

I did a short ~1 minute long video for a Subaru friend and I had one random person message me on FB and ask to do one for them. I said $30 and you'll get a video and a handful of pictures to go with it but he backed out because he's "saving for wheels" LOL. I didn't wanna shoot his Speed 6 anyways but it goes to show how cheap people are. As if I'm going to spend an hour or two shooting then another few hours on my computer editing for free, when I don't even know your last name.

 

Well drop a hint to your friends that they should fund a new lens for you . I have often thought about charging for pet photography as I get friends asking on facebook.

Guess you get a reason to get out and see some sweet cars though!

 

Even they say I should be charging to do it haha. I've thought about it but it's difficult to put a price on.

I think you have the right idea with pet/portrait photography. That's something that people will always pay you to do. It takes someone who really loves their car to want nice photos of it and pay for said nice photos.

Everybody loves their pet so naturally they will pay to have pictures done.

 

I would just start with a simple "hey, you buy me dinner and pay for the gas, ill take some pics of your ride". I think thats fair for a friend price. If you have actual people you dont know asking, I would just account for gas to get there and your time.

 

Yeah that's kinda where I'm at now. I have free dinner coming my way next time we get together lol. They all share my photos when I finish them so it's good advertising.

 

The car scene is cheap as f. I was in it for a while and everyone wants shit for free. Who are you to ask me for my services and ten not want to spend money. I can almost garuntee you that $30 was spent at a bar or something stupid and didn't go into his "saving for shitty rep wheels" fund.

 

LOL completely agreed. He sold the car anyways and I never heard from him again, which I am okay with

People just don't understand the time and effort that can go into it. It's not as easy as just slapping a filter on it or chopping a video up in 20 minutes.