Toyota Camry

[surenj]

Some may remember that I attempted to photograph a Honda Type R previously. Since I didn't own that car, I never had any control of the light [bright garage etc]. Since my friend has sold that car, the closest I could find was.... a Toyota Camry

Even though I had the garage dark, I struggled with the lighting and angles. I only had a small torch and a home made softbox for lightpainting, but that didn't work out too well! What angle does one hold the softbox to the car??

Here they are, processed to the hilt, so at least I can show you glimpse of what look I wanted to achieve.... C&C very much appreciated.

[!~DeViNe~DaRkNeSs~!]

1st one I think the reflections just ruin it.... take it for a drive sumwhere nice!
#2 is bloody awsum even with massive amounts of PP, but alas the numberplate ruins it for me.

[surenj]

Thanks Jezza,

I couldn't control the reflections very well. Unfortunately light spilled over and I tried draping a white sheet over them without any good effect. Now I realise that if I tried to drape a black sheet over the distractions, it may have worked!!

I need to figure out what to do with the number plate? I have seen that people put custom made one's prior to photographing cars? Should I erase it out?

[!~DeViNe~DaRkNeSs~!]

I'm thinking because these pics are very dark there you could cut it out. although in a well lit situation I spose the only option is a custom plate as you said or try PP in a virtual plate?
or another option (hope u don't mind me stuffing about)

[chrisk]

commenting on the "look" you achieved which i think was your intention, i like it alot. i think they look very professionally processed. the photos dont do it alot of justice though. distractions, red brick wall, spotty garage floor...well...it goes aganst teh glamour sort of theme if you know what i mean.

[surenj]

another option (hope u don't mind me stuffing about

Jezz Stuff around all you want. It's great to see people taking interest in your images!

the photos dont do it alot of justice though. distractions, red brick wall, spotty garage floor...well...it goes aganst teh glamour sort of theme if you know what i mean.

Thanks Rooz, I know what you mean. I didn't have the resources to move the distractions out [and didn't think enough to use the lights to hide them!] but then in retrospect I should taken the car out in to the chilly night and tried light painting with the homemade softbox and flash instead of the torce I had.

Is it true to say that the colour of the car doesn't really matter as the surfaces reflect everything anyway? I was not sure how a dark car would photograph before I started on this. The car is black originally...

[auxr8220]

i hold the softbox directly opposite the panel of the car. so if the panel changes i change the angle of the softbox

[aim54x]

Nice work....what do the originals look like?

I agree with the numberplate and the background but they are things to look into in the future. Keep it up!

[mozzie]

I sometimes wonder about my tastes while reading posts on this forum. For me imperfections makes the image and accordingly I really like the brick in the second photo. I like the contrast it brings to mind an era of video games. I also find my self trying to look into the reflections to see if I can discover something. I think they are great.

If it was a photo on a blank canvas or a picturesque background I dont know if i would have looked at it for more than a few seconds.

[surenj]

i hold the softbox directly opposite the panel of the car. so if the panel changes i change the angle of the softbox

Thanks auxr8220.. Will try this next time. I just couldn't understand this technique as the light would be obscured by the softbox and your body?

Nice work....what do the originals look like?

Here they are Cameron

For me imperfections makes the image and accordingly I really like the brick in the second photo. I like the contrast it brings to mind an era of video games. I also find my self trying to look into the reflections to see if I can discover something.

You make an interesting point here Mozzie. Initially I was trying to include the owner's reflection on the door but they got bored after 3 shots and left!!! I understand why people pay for models.

Personally I love the brick's texture as well. At the risk of getting banned or spanked by admin, here is one last take... with some brick....

[gstark]

..well...it goes aganst teh glamour sort of theme if you know what i mean.

Er, Chris .... it's a Toyota!

Surenj,

If the plate bothers you, process it so that it's darker. Or lighter.

The plate doesn't worry me at all ... but in the second one, I'd consider perhaps cropping at the top, removing the roof.

The first .... the reflections off to the left are very distracting.

At the risk of getting banned or spanked by admin, here is one last take... with some brick....

I like this one a lot. The bricks suit the angle of view, and this image just works.

[ian.bertram]

Hi,
I really like the power of shot two taken from such a low angle. You said the the photos were post processed, did you think about masking out the background and adding a powerful deep sunset or other similar dark and brooding background? It might be just what the shot needs (or is this faking it too much?)

[biggerry]

Nice work Surenj, the first one takes my fancy, however I don't mind the de-sat look of the bricks in the second..

The first .... the reflections off to the left are very distracting.

now that they are pointed out...

[surenj]

Thanks for your suggestions Gary.

(or is this faking it too much?)

Ian, I wouldn't consider dropping the car in to a better background 'faking'. I would do whatever it takes, to convey what I saw in the scene. I don't make the distinction between art, photography, graphics etc as long as I am having fun.

now that they are pointed out...

Thanks Gerry

What I think I might do is, to rework these to take all the critique on board. I will repost some reworked images over the weekend perhaps... [I will not have access to a wide gamut monitor but will do what I can with the colors]

Thanks to everyone who commented or even just had a look!

[aim54x]

Thanks for posting the unprocessed images they are intriguing and really shows how much work you do in post to create your images.

[surenj]

No worries Cameron.