video: episode 22, photographing a ’57 Chevy in the studio
Ever have a chance to photograph a car in a studio? At Daylight Photo we’re not completely set up for car photography but we had a chance to do this fun shoot, thanks to the Ohio Valley Camera Club, who rounded up the vintage Chevrolet. Though the auto doesn’t fit on a tabletop, we’re using the same principles as in earlier prophotolife product lighting videos (think of this as a really large cheese grater - with horsepower).
Here’s a link to the gallery of stills.
Subscribers can view the video here:
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Cool car. Good video too. They can be hard to photograph. I went to a regional auto show near the beginning of the year. It was quite a challenge to get good shots of the cars. In that situation I found that taking shots of details worked out better than trying to get body shots in general. Although, I do like some of the body shots I got. We don’t see many Ferarri’s in my area.
I really like how your video skills are evolving
Really like the fading at the before&after views of the images.
No surprises for technique used, but well made video! Thanks
Show us that Ferrari! Yep, Dennis, the videos have come a ways since the first “stick-in-a-can” video”, huh?
Jim,
Thanks for the weekend. It really was fun for me and I know the rest of the gang had fun too. I watched your video last night and I think it turned out really well. I agree with Dennis. Good job. I put a link to it in the message board.
Here’s a gallery of the things I worked on this weekend. http://home.fuse.net/Windwood/57%20Chevy/
Spending way too much time in Photoshop but loving it. The fog/mist shots turned out just OK. I think I could probably refine them more, but I really liked the reflection effect in the last shot. I think that one is a keeper for sure (as long as you over look the lighting on the bumper and grill and head lights). I’m definitely going to have to get my “tethered” act together for such situations. There really is no substitute for knowing what you actually got. The LCD screen just doesn’t cut it.
Have a great week.
Rick
Thanks for the video, Jim.
I like how you pointed out the details of each step, set skipping the info we already know from other videos
Really cool.
I hope you had a chance to enjoy a ride with that gem
Greets,
Martin
LOL, Jim!
Here’s a link to the hot, yellow Ferrari: http://Taallyn.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p1025865793-5.jpg
The entire gallery is: http://taallyn.zenfolio.com/p171645259/
Oh, and to bookend the post in to your video here’s a “2009 Chevy”: http://www.zenfolio.com/Taallyn/p171645259/home.aspx
Ooops. Ignore the 2009 Chevy link above.
Here it is: http://Taallyn.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p358240360-5.jpg
Sorry about that.
The repeat add-light-then-shoot sequence of these videos are marvelously instructive. I hope all future videos will continue to use this awesome format. The recap at the end is similarly awesome.
Finally, I really appreciate you verbalizing your thought process on where you want to put more light and why. The artistic / creative decisions you make are just as interesting and useful as the technical – perhaps even more so.
Thanks Jim!
I agree with NormMonkey. The videos themselves are getting better each time. The step-by-step process and discussion is very helpful. Keep up the good work. I see nationwide workshops in your future.
Awesome video as always, Jim!
Awsome car, great shot. One thing I might question is the big specular highlight in the center of the lower bumper. What could you do to tone it down a little?
PS. Vimeo been a little rough today.
Re: Craigs suggestion for nationwide workshops. That is an awesome ideal, a DVD set would be cool too. Strobist does the portrait/location lighting DVD. You can have the product/studio lighting set. I would be first one in line.
Loved this weeks video. I like cars and would love to have a garage large enough to photograph them. Oh well… I’ll just have to settle with taking my truck out in the middle of nowhere and shooting it with trees in the background.
Here’s the only photo I have of a car that I like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorkyphotographer/2674229506/sizes/o/
I like the way you summarize the process at the end with the fades between the photos. If it weren’t for those transitions, it would be difficult to visualize the difference the lighting makes.
Right on, guys, I’m ready for the workshops and DVDs! Hopefully I can land a sponsor at some point to help make those kinds of things happen, I’d absolutely love to “take this show on the road”.
Sorry the Vimeo is bogging down, let me know if it becomes a real problem. Mike, the bumper specular is tough. I’ll tell you what I did for that possibility. I did another shot of the same setup with the softbox moved way off to the left side. That way the bumper specular moved to a different spot. Now I can go back in and layer the second bumper exposure over the original bumper area. Make sense?
I’ll dig out the photos later this week and do a little write up on it.
Jim,
I see what you mean, sort of the same thing that you did with the turn signals. Be interesting to see that photo.
John,
That’s a nice silhouette shot.
Like always, a great video Jim. Where were you a few months back when I took this photo? I could have really used the “reflectors on the ground” idea.
Then again, now I know how to tackle it the next time it comes around.
This is what I am talking about, wonderful images, but I like most your calmness, style an tecnique…
Nice shots, guys, thanks for posting the links! If we could arrange to get Craig’s Ferrari in John’s location I think we’d have the car video of all-time.
You’ve helped me think of someone I should interview: my friend Dave, who has made a living shooting his own car calendars for the last 15 or so years: http://wendtworldwide.com/
John, speaking of shooting trucks in the woods, you reminded me of the time I wanted to build a car portfolio and had my friend drive his Jeep across a stream…it was a lot (a lot) deeper than we imagined. He thought he was going to be washed out to sea!
Udi, I don’t know if other people do this but we also take white sheets on location because they’re easy to throw on the ground for a quick reflector (but they get dirty quick). For outdoor portraits they’re nice to just toss down for a little reflective “kick”. Our bag full of white and black fabrics goes on about every location job.
I looked at your friend’s site. You should definately interview him. I want to know how he manages to get Ferrari’s and Citation jets booked for the same shoot. Probably owned by the same Google guy or something.
@Mike, thank you. I want to redo that shot so the car and tree are in focus. I couldn’t see what my focus ring was set to on my camera. I also want to shoot it with the lights on to see how that will turn out.
@Jim…. Did you get any pictures of the Jeep?
I’ve been tempted to take my truck off road, but I need to keep it in good condition. It’s ZR2 and could probably handle it, but I’m chicken. I’ll enjoy the dirt and snow covered roads for now.
How’s the bloopers video coming along?
Dave’s stuff is great. I especially like this one: http://wendtworldwide.com/Portfolio_One/Portfolio_One_04.html
Forget the interview! Get him in for a video session.
Jim,
I clicked on the banner ad for free shipping from Calumet for orders over $75 – I was going to buy the Genesis Single Light kit – there was a charge for shipping – so I called Calumet and they informed me that they DON’T offer free shipping and that I should refer back to the original site….
Arne, thanks very much for sending me the info about no free shipping from Calumet, I certainly don’t understand what that’s about. The way it reads to me, they offer free shipping over $75. The Genesis lights cost over $75. Sooooo…? I’m going to give them a call and see what’s up.
Your photos are GREAT, btw, I hope others reading the comments link over to your site…
I just spoke to Jim Warren, a manager at Calumet, to ask “what’s the deal on not getting the free shipping offer”?
The good news: he assured me that shipping is definitely free on orders over $75 when using the banner on prophotolife.
The bad news: You landed on the one-two punch of a temporary system recording glitch and a csr at Calumet who wasn’t up to date on the affiliate program offer. Jim offered to look up your order (if you’d made it) so the shipping could be credited, but saw nothing from today.
So the deal (at least for the time being) is that the shopping cart shows the shipping charges but ground shipping is taken off when the order is fulfilled. I would also suggest putting “free ground shipping per affiliate sale” in the comment box for extra insurance.
I realize you’ve already put considerable time into making what should be a simple order but if you want to give it another go then definitely put “free shipping per affiliate sale” in the comment box and the shipping will be taken off, as it should be.
Let me know if you get the Genesis strobe, it really is a swingin’ deal. I also noticed in their flyer that the one light kit doesn’t appear to be on sale after this month but the two light kit is still listed. I’ve loaned mine to a number of people that prefer it over their current (more expensive) monolights.
Thanks again for letting me know of the situation, Arne, I need to know what’s happening…
Keep up the great work on your site, your street images are great!
Jim T.
Okay Jim – I just also received an email from Calumet and here is the scoop – It’s free shipping in the US only. However they did hnour the offer anyways and adjusted my invoice.
Thanks again for being so proactive on my behalf and for sharing your experience like you do – and of course your kind comments on my photo’s.