One shot (experiment)

[Jeff Wilson]

I was out playing with some new bits of kit and I have a test shot for crit...

This is a very simple setup, I shot at about 45 minutes to sunset with a 45" gold reflector bouncing light on the wheel and a Canon 580EX providing some fill flash. The 580EX was off camera on a stand with an umbrella, manual mode, full power.

I probably could have used another flash filling in the rear of the car, but I only had one flash with me today.

The camera was a 20D and a 17-40mm f/4 @ 26mm, ISO 100, f/4, 1/100sec. with a CPL and an orange grad. filter.

Minor PP to correct levels on the car from not enough flash, separate levels and contrast on the background, overall USM, and major boost to contrast and levels on the asphalt to add some texture.

http://www.jw-photo.com/events/pictures/TEST1032.jpg

Realizing the two shortcomings of not enough flash and mediocre location, I'm looking for what could make shots like this better? Probably just a lot more light, but I'm open for suggestions.

[Mike Ditz]

the location is sort of ordinary, but you could make it look less parking lot-y by PS ing out the white lines.

I don't think that you need more light, you just need to angle the car to reflect the the light that you have, right now there is no horizon on the side of the car, it is reflecting the trees behind it. If you had moved the car slightly, the reflection that stops near the driver's door handle might have extended all the way down the car, giving it some shape.
I am not a real big fan of lighting cars out of doors unless you are using models and cannot use long exposures and or you have the proper equipment (and a 580 with an umbrella isn'yt it, but you play the cards you got).
If you want to explore the use of flashes, you could do multi exposure, and blend them on PS. Shoot one without flash, another with the flash for the front wheel, another with the flash at the rear wheel.
How did it look w/o the CPL, sometimes they are more trouble than they are worth.
Not lovin' the grad either. It makes the trees look like they have that bark beetle diease.

MD

[Jacob Leveton]

question - why did you shoot with an umbrella? was it a 1-stop umbrella? if you're shooting the flash at full power, just throw an omnibounce on it to diffuse some of the hot spots and aim the flash directly at the car. also, how far away was the flash? 5'? 10'? could you have moved it closer?

i ask because there are several highly-known photographers who use 2 or 3 flashes to light the ENTIRE car in more or less darkness. If they can do it, you can too...

[Mark Delbrueck]

I agree about the location. A more simplified location would greatly improve the shot. Also, I think your results are going to be more subtle due to the fact that you are lighting a dark colored car. If you were trying to light a silver car, for example, you would see a greater contrast between the car and the background. You probably also need more flash power, or at least better direction of the flash that you have. Like somebody mentioned, moving it closer could help. That way you could really stop down the background and use fill to light the car or wheel.