Top Eight Tips For Effective Used Car Photos

Are you able to photograph cars? If you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in learning how to do it. However, having the capability to photograph cars perfectly and in a beautiful manner can prove to be useful in the future, such as when selling a vehicle or publishing amazing car photos on various social media platforms.

In order for you to take amazing, successful, and high-quality photos of cars, we have decided to share with you the top eight tips that you can apply today. So without any further ado, let’s get started!

1. Vehicle’s location on the ground

To begin, a beautiful background is required for successful vehicle photography. In order to make a photograph of a car appear as if it’s on the cover of a glossy magazine, you’ll be required to have a scenic location and expensive equipment. Nonetheless, there are various ways to capture amazing pictures of any car for extremely low or even no cost.

To capture a fantastic photograph, the car must be the focus of attention, no matter what the weather or background outside is. You don’t want other objects in the frame to draw attention away from your car. When selecting any weather condition and background for photographing your car, keep in mind that you can take a top-quality photo whenever you want and in every weather.

2. Natural setting around your vehicle

You should photograph a car in an entirely natural environment, for instance, on a driveway or in a parking lot. Keep in mind that the location you choose will have an impact on the meaning of the image. Photographing a used car in or near a garage, for example, would give the impression that the car was kept in the garage. However, everything will be determined by the photo’s color shades. A positive mood will be created if the image is completely dominated by bright colors.

Photograph your car in a city’s business district, against a wonderful background of business centers and amazing modern office buildings, to create an image that is clean and bright.

If you want to capture a classic view, photograph the car in nature, preferably on a hill that has an open landscape horizon. Sunset photography is particularly beautiful. The car’s background must have a western horizon for this to work perfectly.

Take note of the objects around the car as well as the colors in the background. It would be preferable if several tones surrounding the car were the same as the color of the car, allowing the various objects in the photograph to complement one another.

3. Light for vehicle photography

The light is the next step in your successful and effective car photography. This is a necessary component of all kinds of photographs. It is best to shoot in natural daylight, preferably during the day. The ideal times to take photos are just before or during sunrise, as well as immediately after sunset. As a result, you will get soft light colors from the car while avoiding the midday sun’s excessive brightness.

If you want to take photos with artificial lightings, such as a photo flash, we recommend taking a few test shots to figure out where the light will go most efficiently without even creating a glare.

4. Angles to shoot vehicle photos

Selecting a wonderfully scenic location and ensuring that the car is adequately lit means that each and everything is ready to shoot. Before you begin, you should know exactly what you want to highlight in the photo and what you want to particularly focus on, such as the wheels, color, body, etc.

The most vital thing, however, is to decide from what angle to shoot. Certainly, it would be best if you began by shooting at eye level. However, it is also better to take a series of shots from various angles so that you can select the best photos later on. But sadly, this does not work for all car models. Take a series of test photos to see how your car will appear in such images.

5. External details of the vehicle

After you’ve taken full-size photos of the car, you can start photographing specific details of it. A closer inspection of the vehicle reveals that you can take close-ups of certain pictures, such as highlighting smooth body lines or photographing the amazing logo. Remember that you can also photograph the details of the car from an angle.

6. Photographing car interior

The interior of your car is full of interesting details that can be captured by creating amazing top-quality images. When photographing the car interior, make sure there is enough light, particularly if you are taking photos in the afternoon. A lack of external lighting is the most common mistake when photographing a car.

What or what not to shoot? Certainly, the steering wheel, with a focus on the dashboard, brand logo, car seats, and interior doors.

7. Rule of thirds

The rule of thirds is one of the most important photography rules, and it is divided into nine sections. The rule states that the image in the frame should be divided into three equal parts, horizontally as well as vertically.

The object on which you want to put the focus, as per the shooting rule, should be located on these intersection lines, which will make a great impression of emphasis, better tension, better interest in the composition, as well as greater energy.

8. Get inspired by others’ photos

A large number of people are involved in car photography. Photographing cars is also a simple hobby for some photographers. However, these people know a lot about shooting cars. Other car photos can be found on Flickr. It is an online place where photographers post thousands, if not millions, of amazing photos.

Auto Image Services is always available there for you to provide professional and amazing car photography as well as video production services.