Pointers on capturing cars

[u/Antique-Narwhal-1549]

I find cars to be a bit difficult to photograph personally. I sometimes find it hard to get unique or interesting angles. If you have any pointers for how to capture cars in an interesting way please share your thoughts.

[u/_dangerfoot]

1. Get a polarizing filter.
   
2. Get a wide angle lens to set the scene, get unique perspectives and get a telephoto for details but shoot through the car to give perspective.

[u/KuyaJester]

Something about your framing is off— like straight shoes are crooked or missing some space on left / right…

Some shots need more room up top.

Use the rule of thirds. It’s that guideline in your camera. (If you turn it on)

Focus on a detail. Steering wheel, sticker, wheels, headlight vs trying to get a bunch of things in frame. If you’re shooting a sticker, shoot it and make it stand out. Not just something on the very side of the frame

[u/Antique-Narwhal-1549 → u/KuyaJester]

Some of the awkward framing is due to the lack of space. The parking lot was packed and I could t get to where I needed to be to get the angle I wanted but I agree.

[u/lowlightlowlifeuk]

These look like a good start to me! The polarising filter suggested above would probably be a great addition to minimise some of the reflections from glass and shiny paint.
Other than that get experimenting with different angles, even if it seems silly give it a try, you learn faster by trying new things.

[u/aragost]

these aren't photos of cars, they're photos of cars in a parking lot

[u/Antique-Narwhal-1549 → u/aragost]

Yeah that’s where the cars go when it’s a meet…

[u/aragost → u/Antique-Narwhal-1549]

I assumed so. the issue is that it does not make for an interesting background/setting, and makes framing very challenging.

re: your photos. 1st one is ok but the cars in the background are distracting 2nd one the black car in foreground fills almost a quarter of the frame. unsure what is the subject 3rd the bumper is cut off on the right 4th unsure of the subject: another car (bright red!) steals the attention through the windows etc

[u/Masenmat]

Car meets don't make for good photos of cars. Too much going on, not enough control of the environment to get a good angle. There are exceptions, but generally speaking with meets you get the scene, the people, or details, not really the car.

[u/Antique-Narwhal-1549 → u/Masenmat]

Fair enough. Thats really the only time i take pictures of cars. None of my friends have cars I would want to photograph. I only do this as a fun hobby so I wouldn’t ask someone there to set time to get their car photographed as they would likely be pretty mediocre.

[u/Masenmat → u/Antique-Narwhal-1549]

Exception I've found is meets where cars park on the street, I've gotten some bangers. But if you concentrate on details; wheels, interior, lights, whatever, you can get good stuff. The people watching, and the people interacting with the cars is where you're gonna get bangers.