Shiny car syndrome

[Cheryl Metzka]

I have a senior boy with a bright, shiny new car that he wants in a picture with him (pretty common). However, he works and golfs at the nearby golf course and has permission to pull his car onto it for the picture. It's supposed to be a bright, sunny day tomorrow and there is no shade. He's adamant about wanting the picture done there in the open. Any suggestions on how I might set this up to get something that will do justice to him and the car?

[Kirk Voclain]

Put the sun behind him and the car....make sure something is behind him....like some trees......something this is in shadow just like his face will be in shadow.

Then use either a reflector or a flash to lightn him up a bit.

Kirk

[Chad Mahlum]

Put him in a bikini and no one will look at the car!Then use an off camera fill light to flatten the shadows.

Chad

[Joe Schulz]

Have him wear his sunglasses.......I always like sunglasses in tuff lighting.

[Chad Mahlum]

Side light him before 7 am or after 7 pm! Or even better at dusk when the sky becomes and huge softbox!



Chad

[Tim Babin]

But put the sun to one side of him in the back. But do what Kirk is saying, the later the the better, right before the light is too flat. Use a shiny silver reflector to put light in the eyes, this will up the contrast a bit in the late, late indirect light.

So what are we saying? Take it as late in the day as possible.

[J. *Burke*]

All above are great suggestions. I just wanted to add that auto industry photogs (the guys that shoot cars for the ads) work very early in the morning until the sun comes up, then break for the day and start shooting again at sunset. That tells you when the very best times of day are for auto photos.

Burke

[Kathryn Northcott]

Here are a couple from last year that were taken about 9:30 am in bright sun.

First one had mom holding a gobo to shade her face. Second one was facing open north light.

Put the sun behind the subject & you'll be ok

[Cheryl Metzka]

Great ideas!

Thanks for all the great ideas! . . . Except the bikini one. I haven't seen him, but I might get too distracted to shoot.

[Brian Crussel]

Polarizing Filter!!!!

[Larry Lee Letzer Sr.]

Polarizing Filter!!!!

Brian, How will a polarizing filter help. They do not have an effect on metal. I learned that at an auto show about 45 years ago. They will reduce or add reflections to glass, but not metal.

[Mike Ridinger]

chad.. you really need to resize and then repost. i was wanting a better look at ...ummmmm.....the curves.

i meant car.

[Chad Mahlum]

Mike I should know how by now but could you tell me I shot 9 girls yesterday for a calendar so there are more that I could post.

Chad

This has been a fun shoot I working with a playboy centerfold from 1985 that is just great! She puts all the girls at ease and helps with body position.

[Brian Crussel]

Larry-
On a shiny car surface they get rid of glare and make the colors nice and deep. Put one on and rotate it the next time you photograph a car. You will be amazed at the difference as you rotate it around. Especially on Black cars.

[Tom Usher]

Mike I should know how by now but could you tell me I shot 9 girls yesterday for a calendar so there are more that I could post.

Chad

This has been a fun shoot I working with a playboy centerfold from 1985 that is just great! She puts all the girls at ease and helps with body position.

Sounds like you need to start a thread all your own!! PLEASE!