Careful light placement will minimize reflections when photographing cars.
Like many other styles or genres of photography, automobile photography is all about creating impact in the picture you shoot. Lighting a car for a photo shoot can be tricky based on the amount of reflective materials that are in the car. Windshields and highly polished body components can produce hot spots or reflections if you are not careful. You also need to consider the background and location. The background should add to your subject, not distract from it.
Instructions
1. Decide whether you need to shoot indoors or outdoors, and pick a location. Even the most barren garage can prove to be a nice backdrop when lit properly.
2. Decide on a camera shooting position, or the part of the car you want to feature the most. If you are shooting a horizontal picture from the front quarter panel, attach your camera to a tripod and position it to achieve the desired view.
3. Position your main strobe to the right of the camera and direct the light toward the front quarter panel of the car. Turn the modeling light of the strobe on, and adjust the light's position until you do not see any reflection on the car. Set the light to full power, take a light meter reading and use this setting for your exposure.
4. Position your fill light at the rear of the car, on the same side as the main light, and direct the light toward the front of the car. Set the power of this light to half power.
5. Position two strobes, the first to bounce off a wall or closed garage door, directly to the left of your camera position. Position the second strobe at the rear of the car and direct it so its light bounces off the ceiling. Set both of these lights to one-quarter power.
6. Attach the sync cord for the main light to your camera, and turn the camera on. Set the exposure to match the light meter reading you took from the first light.
7. Press the shutter release half way down to activate the camera's auto-focus mechanism and take the picture.
8. Press the "Review" button on the rear of the camera to review your image, and make adjustments where necessary.
Tags: direct light, your camera, direct light toward, front quarter, front quarter panel