Frog Follies

[Kenneth May]

Question to those who shoot classic car shows and/or car hops...

Here in Evansville, Indiana-each Summer, there is a HUGE car show called 'Frog Follies' (I think it is even shown on SPEED) and the town is over run with classic hot rods, classic street cars, etc. They line the main street of downtown, parades, and have the fairgrounds as their base. Pretty cool to go with the kids and really some neat cars........

OK, the question(s)...Do any of you shoot these types of events with the purpose of trying to sell prints to owners? If so, do you print on site or have owners go to website for orders?

Also, with the lighting being all over the board, and most events held with the lovely sun high in the sky, do you bring any reflectors for the shots?

Thanks as I have never shot something like this, but plan on it this year....more for expanding and learning new skills, as well as enjoyment, but hey, if you can make some sales, want to do it right.

KM

[Kenneth May]

No classic car show photogs want to chime in? :(

[Derric Slocum]

ive shot a couple for my personal growth, never to sell prints and with my relative newbie status i dont think i can be much help. i have got a few good shots waiting for people to get out of the way and finding the few cars that had some space. my only advice at a show of that size is be patient if you want to get shots that are worthy of a sale, its hard to get a shot without somone standing next to the car.

[Dennis Murray]

No experience here, but if it is a "destination" type car show...than I would think people pictures as much as cars. Or, car shots making sure that you can place where it was taken, or cars together.

I would think an event like that, assuming it's big and people come a long way - you get a class reunion vibe going on.

[John Thawley]

Ken: I've done a little of this... but ultimately, crowds become the issue. My best suggestion is find out when registration or set-up begins and get there early. Better light... and no crowds. Sometimes you can position yourself where cars are driving in and get some nice shots. One of the posters here, got a beautiful sunrise shot of a 53(?) Corvette at a distance on a dirt road. But mainly, you want to beat the crowds.

Here's Nathan's shot:

http://speed-photos.smugmug.com/photos/31868715-M-1.jpg

Here are a few of mine from the same show... Meadowbrook

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/507/IMG_3651.jpg

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/507/IMG_3676.jpg

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/507/IMG_3453.jpg:

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=73195&g2_serialNumber=2

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=73135&g2_serialNumber=2

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=73157&g2_serialNumber=2

[Kenneth May]

GAWD JT!! Set the bar a little high right out of the gate why dont you? Thanks you schmuck! :D

I think the way I worded my post was done poorly (whats new eh?), as I want to shoot the show, (as although I have gone to NAIAS three times, and shot a car show at Portland, during the ALMS race there a few years back, nothing to this magnitude) to develop a new skill and to just experience it....but not one to leave a dollar bill on the pavement, if there is a way to make a few bucks, will do so. I am sure, there will be some forms to fill out and the event may already have several 'authorized photogs', so will perhaps go as just one of the crowd.

http://www.racingfanatics.com/Galleries/NAIAS%202006/Albums/Album1/Large/NAIASGalleryII13.jpg

http://www.racingfanatics.com/2006%20Race%20Home%20Pages/NAIAS/NAIAS%202007/NAIAS%202007%20Ken%20May/Albums/Album1/Large/JI9S2545.jpg

I would think taking a 24-70, 17-40, and the 70-200 would do....possibly the 8mm fisheye for giggles....

Evansville has a wonderful riverfront walk area and we have AZTAR Steam Paddle Boat Casino, as well as the, LST325...so although the background will be no Pebble Beach or Amelia Island, could have some decent shots....will see....

KM

[Todd Corzett]

I have always used the shows to build connections for future shoots and to get some detail shots. I don't really find them (even Pebble Beach) to be all that photogenic; especially with how the cars are all stacked on top of each other (reflections in the sides of these concours gems are killer). Early morning is good to remove some of the crowds, but it's still no the best situation. I prefer making a connection with the owners to do shoots some other time in some other location. As an 'official photographer' you may be able to arrange something with the event to have all the cars pull-into an area for a quick photo before going to their spot in the event... kinda like the individual photos done with football/baseball/etc.

As for shooting for print sales (in an 'event style' type of thing), I'm sure there is some level of business available... it's not really something that I would want to go after though.

-Todd...

And a few photos:


Early morning at Pebble Beach
http://homepage.mac.com/tcorzett/unitonestudios/gallery/tcorzett/automotive/gallery_1/images/automotive_2002_011.jpg

Taken in a shopping mall
http://homepage.mac.com/tcorzett/unitonestudios/gallery/tcorzett/automotive/gallery_1/images/automotive_2002_002.jpg

Another from Pebble Beach
http://homepage.mac.com/tcorzett/unitonestudios/gallery/tcorzett/automotive/gallery_2/images/automotive_2002_027.jpg

Early morning at the Concorso Italiano (after Photoshop)
http://homepage.mac.com/tcorzett/unitonestudios/gallery/tcorzett/automotive/gallery_4/images/IMG_0028.jpg

People at Pebble Beach (even early in the morning)
http://homepage.mac.com/tcorzett/unitonestudios/gallery/tcorzett/automotive/gallery_1/images/automotive_2002_007.jpg

[Kenneth May]

GAWD...please to tell me that the Early morning at the Concorso Italiano is NOT on a putting green!!! As someone who has built my own putting greens, and have a 1500sg ft green in my backyard, I went nuts when the kids made 'snow angels' on it this winter! LOL

Damn nice shots Todd....The 300SL is well done....

[Nathan Leach-Proffer]

i pretty much only shoot events so i like to think i have learned a few things:)

-like other people have said try and get there early while cars are setting up or stay late because there will be less people/ more space around cars/ and better light.
-this does dent to make long days so i like to just hangout around noon and eat or just take detail stuff becuase that is when most people are at the show.
- be patient but fast because there may just be a few seconds were there is a clear shot. this also plays into watching things in the photo and looking to see if there are people walking by or another car driving by. just waiting a few seconds can make a photo many times better

ok thats what i thought of right away. some photos.

while you dont want bad reflections some can make for cool photos.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/193715776_e4cdbc298d_o.jpg

http://speed-photos.smugmug.com/photos/145111155-L.jpg


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/271008421_479f7ffcf7_o.jpg



http://speed-photos.smugmug.com/photos/87278651-M.jpg

http://speed-photos.smugmug.com/photos/91672778-M.jpg

people can also help with some detail stuff if they have say a orange shirt on:)
http://speed-photos.smugmug.com/photos/92129826-M.jpg


if i find some more good examples ill add them. i love shooting at events because it makes you be creative.

[Kenneth May]

Very nice shots Nathan! Looking forward to shooting this event in the Summer.....

Where from Ohio and Michigan? Lived in Plymouth Mi for three years and Columbus Ohio for 5.....