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Light Source

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Jamalski View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jamalski Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Light Source
    Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 8:21am
What do you use as a light source when out on the road? Dark cars don't photograph too well at night obviously and you lose the detail, what do you use to light up the subject?

Edited by Jett - 29 Jan 2013 at 8:22am
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Motorhead View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Motorhead Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 8:56am
A tripod?
 
I'd try and use a longer exposure with the tripod or panning and rely on what little ambient lighting there may be. Using a flash just gets reflections off the number plate, lights and possibly glass.
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dteagles View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dteagles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 9:23am
LED torches can be good if used carefully and with a shield, try reading this blog:


Otherwise longer exposures or higher ISO (don't like the latter)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cre8 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 10:29am
You might find this video useful ..

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Jamalski View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jamalski Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 6:41pm
Long exposures, Higher ISO I have tried, (and a tripod, thank you MH Smilebut none of those work in this scenario, for example the space between front and back wheels is completely dark from the shadow, there is no distinction between body of car and pavement. I Tried using a torch, but that leaves a noticeable reflection in the body, no even spread. I considered an LED lamp, good for closeups and portraits but a car? Not so sure, considering the distance to subject and size of subject. Maybe stick some LEDs behind each wheel and the body...?

Just watched the video, interesting results, I tried using my speedlight and got completely different results, more play required. Unhappy

Also, I am usually shooting against a background I want to keep and preserve as is, just outline and show detail in the car from the door line and bumper downwards.


Edited by Jett - 29 Jan 2013 at 6:49pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dteagles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 8:22pm
If you need to maintain the background (and in focus) you could do two shots and combine in Photoshop, this way you could focus on the car for one shot and the background for the other...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PCook Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 11:00pm
I use off camera flash - night or day. I recently tried a method of lighting every panel up and then combining them all in photoshop - didn't work too badly really! I've got a battery operated fluorescent light that I used to use for light painting.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NeRo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jan 2013 at 10:54am
My attempt at light painting using one of these -  72 LED Inspection Lamp  
  
Note- make sure that all your clothing is dark! 

z3_lp_02 by neroz3, on Flickr



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Jamalski View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jamalski Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2013 at 4:01pm
Darren think you should add Photoshop basics to the low light course your going to organise Smile

I guess the LED lamp is my only option right now, its cheap, portable. Stick 2 of what Nero got under the car.
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