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How do I improve my automotive photography skills?

Do you want to improve your car photography skills? Yeah. You're in luck - Keep Reading to find out how you can improve your automotive photography skills.


Go out and practice photographing cars.

Vauxhall Corsa x4 | Group Photoshoot
Vauxhall Corsa x4 | Group Photoshoot

Do you like to go outside? Nope. Same here - Until I began capturing pictures of cars at dealers and later at car meets. Though local lockdowns prevent you from visiting showrooms, you can photograph your car on your drive.


From March 2020 to May 2020, and January 2021 to April 2021. I had to adjust to where I took images of cars.


Take pictures of cars in different weather and times of day

Ford Fiesta ST | Hot Pink | Front poster
Ford Fiesta ST | Hot Pink | Front poster

What's always there when your shooting cars? Vehicles. Duh - Still, you've always got weather when photographing cars. Striking sunny weather highlights the vehicles to rainfall that adds a delightful texture to the subject.


If you get the rare chance of shooting cars in the snow or foggy weather, be careful of the floor and surroundings. In return, snowy weather provides you with a whimsical atmosphere and fog with a moody, mysterious feel.

Porsche Cayman GTS | Amethyst Purple | Rear three quarter poster
Porsche Cayman GTS | Amethyst Purple | Rear three quarter poster

Another condition to consider is what time your photographing cars. Really? Yes - Whether you're getting up early to capture pictures of a car in the Golden Hour or going bold by taking pictures at a nighttime car meet.


Once you've practised photographing cars in various weather and times of day, you learn to discover your favourite weather and calibrate your skills to different times of the day.


Learn to master colour correct/Photo process

Audi TT MK3 | Tango Red | Rear poster
Audi TT MK3 | Tango Red | Rear poster

What's my favourite aspect of photographing cars? Travelling. Not too much - Still, other than seeing people's faces with my content. I love editing.


Though photo editing is so/so with photographers, I recommend learning how to colour grading to portray a mood to your content and efficiently edit multiple photos.

Seat Leon Cupra MK3 | White | Rear three quarter poster
Seat Leon Cupra MK3 | White | Rear three quarter poster

After colour correcting and grading, I import my photos to Photoshop. Photoshop has a steeper curve than Lightroom to master. You've got more freedom to get your pictures looking better.


You can be removing signs or cloning out unnecessary distractions to the pictures in Photoshop. I like to blur registration plates for a clean feel.


Curate your pictures into a gallery

POrsche 911 930 | Cream | Side profile poster
POrsche 911 930 | Cream | Side profile poster

Once you've edited and sorted your files, I recommend sorting out your pictures to complement each other. Why? Whether you've taken pictures at a particular dealership, or a specific company and country, you learn how to tell an incredible story.


I showcase my pictures online through my social media channels and website. I recommend learning how to find photos that work with each other and how to improve your grammar. What about storytelling?


Hire a professional photographer

Citroen Saxo | Oliver Cottham | Stafford Driving Centre
Citroen Saxo | Oliver Cottham | Stafford Driving Centre

If you've got the cash, I'd recommend hiring a professional photographer. Once: you've got a fundamental understanding of photography, editing, marketing and storytelling.


They've had many years of photographing in their field, from sports photography to photojournalism. A photographer worth their salt can tell you the pitfalls of photography and where to avoid them.


Conclusion

Audi RS4 Avant | Sepang Blue | Rear poster
Audi RS4 Avant | Sepang Blue | Rear poster

Everyone has their way of learning, whether it's an academic or practical way of learning. Indeed! I've learnt to improve my automotive photography skills through sheer practice and by watching YouTube tutorials on Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.


Expand your mind by reading a variety of art and photography books. So, you can learn about the theory, plus how to take phenomenal pictures.

Citroen Saxo | Wheel
Citroen Saxo | Wheel

If you're very interested in photography, I'd recommend hiring a professional photographer, because they have many years of photography experience. And they can tell you the pitfalls to avoid.


What about a networking opportunity? True.


Outro

BMW M340i | Alpine White | Front three quarter square
BMW M340i | Alpine White | Front three quarter square

Have you got any car photography tips? Let me know in the comments below; comment on my article and share my post if you've found it helpful.


Do you love cleaning your car? Yeah. Same here - A pristine car exterior is fantastic but, why not have a clean interior. Check out Express Detailing for quality interior detailer products and use VIVID10 for a discount.

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