Tips for dark automotive photography

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That style of shot to your liking? If so, long exposure (10 to 30 seconds) with background set to be 2 stops under, then using a handheld flash to "paint" with light. Just play until you like the results!
 
Ah yeah like that crackin stuff.

I was thinking long exposures would have to be needed because it would just come out grainy cause of the ISO
 
rG-tom, when you say you paint it with light, do you just mean you release the shutter, then just walk around the car waving the light at it? I've never really thought of doing that, but I guess it would work quite well.
 
As Tom said, light painting is one method you can use when photographing stationary objects at night. I have a walkthrough on my blog that you can find here: http://adam-swords.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-light-painting-with-strobes.html - that will teach you the basics on how to get started.

These are some examples of my light painting:

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An alternative method to light painting is to use strobes and light stands.
I used two strobes for both of these shots, but merged multiple exposures to negate the fact that I only had two lights. For example the last shot is lit from 6 different angles (3 exposures) using only two lights.

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domthecondom said:
LMAO, even i am not that bad,

i love how he says I LOVE THIS SHOT, but why did it turn out so dark? :|

and all i can see is like the back lights of a car
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Try explaining to him it's because his camera metered off of the illuminated bollard and so knocked the ambient right down :p
 
Ok had a go at some of my first night shots last night, not very good i know but hey !

I dont have any torches or other lights atm i really need to get some because i want to try to do interior light ups

There my first so please guys i want some C&C :

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Sort the white balance out and they'd be pretty good for a first go :)

This is one I did of a friends Evo8 the other night.

I struggled a bit with them as the car was very reflective and there were too many light sources.


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The last one would be super super awesome if you could get the dash pin sharp :)

You could cheat with that actually and take a shot when the car is stationary and then shop the still photo and the long exposure in afterwards :)
 
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