Obtaining Photographs Like This

[Evolize]

I've managed to take a few good pictures here and there but the look I am aiming for I have not achieved yet. Here are a few samples that I am looking at creating the same kind of feel, light, details, etc.

I am also using a canon 20D with stock lens and a 75-300mm zoom.

Just looking at finding out what kinds of settings to use and what kind of post processing is required.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x24/88crx2/honda_thread_41.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x24/88crx2/honda_thread_27.jpg
For this picture, where can I find the "tripod" that you mount to the vehicle for this look?
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x24/88crx2/honda_thread_25.jpg

[BerserkerCatSplat]

First shot is a tone-mapped HDR, and not a very good one at that.

Second looks to either be another HDR or extensive dodging/burning and contrast adjustment, I suspect the latter.

Third is called a "rig" shot, where an adjustable boom holds the camera away from the car and is edited out in post. I don't think anybody sells rigs locally, rig owners usually build them from scratch and tend to be quite secretive about them.

[Evolize]

Yeah I have been trying to find pictures of a rig to see how it is built. I have metal and a welder at my disposal but I just don't have a real good plan drawn out on how to build one.

As for the pictures, I thought they had a pretty good look and feel to them and if it's HDR as you say then I must learn.

I want to learn how to take shots like those, and shots like yours, grahams, etc. but when I try to do a bit of research I get a little bit clusterfawked on trying to determine what it's general "name" is when trying to work for it.

Should I just enroll myself into a photography school to learn the fundementals a bit better or just try to achieve these kinds of results on my own?

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Well, all I can say is that a photo class will teach you the basics, but rarely will one help you develop a style. Your own personal style is just something that comes with time and experience. Some of that may be post-processing, again that's something that comes with experimentation and practice.

For specific techniques, there's lots of good Internet tutorials out there!

As for rig construction, I can't say I know much, unfortunately.

[Scope951]

Dont mean to intrude.
What must i do to gain this photo?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b24/ngMIke/IMG_2702.jpg

[D'z Nutz]

Originally posted by Evolize
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x24/88crx2/honda_thread_27.jpg


Holy shat, even with all that post processing done on it, you'd think the very least he could do is clone out the sensor dust :dunno:


Originally posted by Scope951
Dont mean to intrude.
What must i do to gain this photo?


Nothing much. It's not really a technically difficult photo to pull off. Nothing a tripod and stopping down your lens wouldn't get.

[Scope951]

stopping down my lens?

like literally cover it?

[seer_claw]

Originally posted by Scope951
stopping down my lens?

like literally cover it?

No, to open up the aperture of the lens go from f2.8 to f8. Just do a google search on it lots of information about stopping down a lens.

[Scope951]

So by placing a car near a light can then allow me to raise the aperature?

[seer_claw]

No, what you want to do is set the car up in some lighting that you think will work to what you want your shot to be like. Then set up your tripod from the location that you want to shoot from so you get the angle that you are looking for.

Then change your lens from f2.8 to f8 or even f16 to increase the length of time that the shutter is open for. Set the camera timer and take a couple of shots without flash for long exposures. Should get something that you are looking for.

[Bimmer88]

Sorry off topic but where did you take the second pic? That's a sweet pic!

[Skyline_Addict]

Originally posted by Bimmer88
Sorry off topic but where did you take the second pic? That's a sweet pic!

those aren't local man.. and he didn't take them.

[asuth077]

Originally posted by Scope951
So by placing a car near a light can then allow me to raise the aperature?

A good photo class might help you understand how to use aperature. Or even some good books will help.

[Ben]

"Obtaining Photographs Like This"?

Well, spend your life post processing, and not cleaning your sensor. lol

Honestly. All three of those photos are pretty bad, looking at them from a technical and post processing standpoint.

Really playing up the "Asian Style" post processing thats for sure.

3 is well done I guess, but again, you'd think he'd take the time to kill the grain and remove the dust marks on the sensor. I've seen MUCH better rig shots.

BTW, if I see anyone over sharpen their photos like the first one, I'm gonna e.Slap ya. hahaha.:nut:

[aquamarine]

I dunno, I really like that first one. It looks almost like a cartoon.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by aquamarine
I dunno, I really like that first one. It looks almost like a cartoon.

Trust me, shitty HDR's get real old, real fast.

[aquamarine]

Excuse the tons of pictures all at once... but I just started dickin' around with HDR photos. Since these are the first one's I've made, please excuse the shittiness of them.

http://pozland.johnnydo.com/hdr/HDR-001.jpg


http://pozland.johnnydo.com/hdr/HDR-002.jpg


http://pozland.johnnydo.com/hdr/HDR-003.jpg
Excuse me while my eyes explode.


http://pozland.johnnydo.com/hdr/HDR-004.jpg


http://pozland.johnnydo.com/hdr/HDR-005.jpg


http://pozland.johnnydo.com/hdr/HDR-006.jpg
I think Kako (second from the left) has see-through lips.

[ex1z7]

Holy shit, those "HDR" pics Aqua.. Don't tone-map so much, the insane colours make my eyes burn. And doing a multiple exposure without keeping the camera stationary (the leaves are all blurry etc.) doesn't look very nice, either.. Same to be said with people.


All of those shots could have been done with 1 picture, easily at that.. And look better.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Child's nightmare, indeed.

[nismodrifter]

oooh...Louis Riel building FTW hahaha. Spent ALOT of time there back in the day.

Pics hurt my eyes yo