Car Photography: Pro Tips for Stunning Shots

For many car owners, a car is more than just a transportation device; it’s a source of emotion. The sound of the engine, the way it drives, the curvy lines, and how the sun reflects are just some of the things an enthusiast can appreciate about a car. If you have a passion for the automotive world and a flair for taking pictures, then shooting cars is where both passions collide.

In recent years, this fun little genre of photography has grown, attracting many car fans to take on car photography. While it seems simple and easy, it doesn’t come without its own challenges.

Capturing the sleek silhouette of a luxury sedan or the charming ruggedness of an off-road SUV is all about creativity and a little bit of knowledge. We all started somewhere, and I am here to help you navigate the beginning of this journey.

In today’s guide, I will teach you everything you need to know to start photographing cars, from equipment to understanding lighting, with the occasional tip on how to get the photo you envisioned.

Understanding Car Photography

Automotive photography is more than just taking a fancy photo of a car; it’s about the story and emotions the photo will bring out in the viewer. This emotional connection it creates isn’t just about people seeing a pretty picture of a car.

Highlighting a car’s features is only one part of the story. A good photo can help resonate with a certain demographic, something that many companies utilize. Excelling in this niche means understanding your car and knowing your audience. Do your research beforehand and learn everything you can about the car you plan on shooting. Knowing the car will help you through the process, as you will know which features to showcase.

Even post-processing is an essential step that allows you to align your images with the brand’s identity. That is why you often see vintage cars processed with warmer tones. Most people don’t give this a thought, but this approach evokes feelings of nostalgia and tradition. 

Shooting cars requires a perfect balance of skills and creativity. Your role is to ensure that your images tell the brand’s story. This means researching and highlighting the car’s unique attributes and helping tell the story the way it’s meant to be told.

Selecting the Right Photography Gear

Let’s discuss the gear you will need if you want to start with taking photos of cars. Some are obviously essential, while others are nice to have.

Naturally, you will need a camera for car images, and you have a plethora of options in terms of brand, type and features.

• DSLR: robust option with plenty of lens options and a longer battery life, which comes at a cost of weight and chunkiness.
• Mirrorless: small and lightweight, offering faster and more precise autofocus, but comes at a disadvantage in terms of a shorter battery life.

A camera needs a lens, and there are tons of options to choose from. Different types of lenses serve different purposes, so knowing which ones to aim for is essential.

• Wide-angle lenses are perfect for capturing the entire car and surroundings and are often used in rolling shots of moving cars.
• Telephoto lenses are a great option for isolating a specific detail of the car or for shooting from a distance and wanting to use compression to get a nice bokeh.
• Prime lenses are especially handy for low-light situations, thanks to their wide apertures, which allow more light to hit the sensor. They’re also useful if you want to focus on a specific element and blur the background.
• Macro lenses are similar to prime lenses, allowing you to capture the finer details and have the reader focus on them.

The camera and lenses are essential, but in most cases, you need a few other things to go pro with this. 

• A tripod is a must-have if you’re shooting in low-light conditions where you will need to rely on longer exposures. Pair it with a remote shutter release to eliminate any potential camera movement.
• Circular polarizer is the filter all car photographers say is a must, but I partially agree. While it helps cut unwanted reflections, there are situations where they can be your ally and help you get better shots.
• Drones have recently become quite popular and are perfect for aerial shots. However, you should check the local regulations regarding usage and make sure you follow the necessary safety guidelines.
• Post-processing software is as essential as the gear you’re using. For a long time, my personal preference has been Adobe’s Lightroom and Photoshop, which can be powerful pairs for automotive photography.

Before I continue with the guide, I have to mention that this is the preferred equipment, but it doesn’t mean you need to have everything. My equipment is far from the most extensive, but I still find ways to make it work and photograph cars.

For example, I am currently shooting on a Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 18-35mm f1.8. I have a Manfrotto Elements MII tripod and a cheap Chinese remote shutter release. I occasionally borrow a Sigma 105mm f2.8 from a friend, and I still take plenty of car images. 

Perfect Timing and Shooting Conditions

Two of the most critical factors in photographing cars are timing and lighting. By getting the conditions right, you can transform a nice image into a breathtaking one. 

Shooting outdoors means you can utilize natural light, but you will need to get the timing right. Harsh light is your biggest enemy, as the direct sunlight creates strong shadows and highlights you will want to avoid. This is why you will want to aim for softer lights like you have on a cloudy day. 

Ideally, you will want to shoot during golden hour to get a soft and warm light, that will help you add a magical glow to your images. The ideal time is around an hour after sunrise or before sunset, so you will want to plan and reach the location before that.

I am a massive fan of using natural light in general, but I am aware that there are situations where that’s not doable. In this case, you will need to rely on artificial light. This method allows you finer control over the shadows and highlights. 

A popular technique these days is light painting. In this technique, you use a moving light source like an LED wand to paint a light trail in parts of the photo. This technique is ideal for long-exposure photography, as you can keep the shutter open long enough to leave the trail, a technique we cover in our 52-week challenge.

Take the photo of my Lexus as an example. It was shot in pitch black, and I left the shutter open for 30 seconds. At the same time, I timed the camera to start shooting before a car passes so that I got the trail. I didn’t have an LED wand, so the red trail is some random car’s taillights. I also used a remote shutter release, as it makes things a bit more convenient, as opposed to relying on the camera’s timer option.

Mastering Car Photography Techniques

Shooting cars involves combining technical proficiency and creative expression, so you will need to excel at both. 

Composition

Compositions play a crucial role in any kind of photography, and the same goes for cars. Utilizing the traditional techniques often helps you highlight the car’s design, which is what we’re going for.

• Rule of thirds: Separate your frame on a 3×3 grid and position the car or a key element along the grid lines.
• Framing: Use elements from the background, such as a bridge, trees, or structures, to frame the car in your shot. 
• Leading lines: Utilize the car’s lines or elements in the environment to guide the viewer’s perspective. 

These three are common practices in the car photography niche, but I would say that you should think outside the box. Frontal shots, three quarters angle or side shots are excellent ways to get some great shots. Start practicing with different angles and see which ones work well for you and you’re comfortable with.

This also means you should consider increasing the reflections. Yes, I know many photographers recommend cutting them down, but there are situations where things like sky reflections can help you take your automotive photography to the next level. Experiment and find that sweet spot.

Camera Settings

With the composition and framing aside, it’s time to discuss the camera settings, and there are three essential ones you will need to master.

• Aperture: Use a wide open aperture to get a shallow depth of field and isolate certain parts of the car or if you’re shooting in low-light conditions. A narrow aperture of f8 or above will get the whole car in focus and is recommended for shooting in well-lit conditions.
• Shutter speed: For stationary shots, use the shutter speed that gives you the best exposure. If it’s too dark, consider using a tripod. For handheld shots, I generally don’t like going under 1/50, considering that my camera and lens don’t have stabilization.
• ISO: Increasing the sensor’s sensitivity to light can help in low-light conditions, but try not to increase the ISO too much. For example, my D7200 does well enough up to 800, but after that, there’s a bit more noise than I would like. 

If you’re just starting out with photography, I’d recommend checking out our Zero to Hero Photography Course, which covers everything from basic to advanced camera settings.

Capturing Details and Interiors

Composition is essential with this kind of photography, but that doesn’t mean that the details don’t matter. Tо ensure you showcase the car’s craftsmanship, you need to consider the finer things.

Before you even take the cap off, you will need to make sure you’re working with a clean vehicle. Any reflective surface will show dirt or smudges. The same goes for the interior images. Since you will be shooting the finer details, vacuuming and wiping down the plastics is essential. Pay extra attention to touch screens and, personally, the most hideous part: piano plastic. That thing picks fingerprints before you even think of touching it.

Capturing the Details

A car has showcase-worthy close ups on the outside as well as the inside. Although you will go through all the car shots, you should also focus on specific elements—headlight, taillight, logo, rearview mirror, wheel, etc.

You can play around with the composition, trying shots from low down or from above. As long as you get the composition right and capture the feature you want, it doesn’t matter which angle you use. Since we’re talking about exterior shots, I would go with wider lenses, as they help you get the entire vehicle in the shot.

When it comes to capturing the details, interior shots are the ones you will want. There are endless possibilities here—the logo on the steering wheel, the shifter, the central console, specific buttons, whatever you can think of.

One thing to keep in mind is that car interiors can be problematic due to the lighting. Shooting in the daytime or during golden hour isn’t too big of an issue, but as the sun goes down or if you’re in a garage, you will need to get creative. I found that the ambient lighting helps a bit, but if that doesn’t work, a flash could be your new best friend.

Even though most of this kind of photography is still, there are ways to add motion even if you’re taking interior shots. Showing a hand reaching for the gear shifter or the left foot pressing the clutch can give the viewer a sense of action, something you will want to achieve with this type of vehicle.

Motion and Action in Car Photography

Moving cars is one of the best ways to add dynamics to each shot.

Rolling shots can be a bit problematic as you will need to consider multiple things. The quality of the road, lighting conditions, speed of the car, and many other aspects can determine the shutter speed. 

A shutter speed of 1/30 should be good for a sharp vehicle with a “moving” background. Like with most aspects of taking images of cars, it’s all about experimenting and trying things until you get the photo you like. Ideally, you’d want a wide angle lens and try to shoot from a lower angle to get that “desired” powerful look.

In many ways, racing photography is quite similar. The speeds are much higher than with a rolling shot, so you will need to go for faster shutter speeds. Aiming for at least 1/80 is a good approach to getting the subject sharp and a motion blur in the background. You may need to go faster, but you most likely won’t be doing anything slower.

With racing photography, you’re shooting with a telephoto lens, so a slow shutter speed will result in blurry images. The stabilization will do a good enough job, but it’s not a miracle worker, meaning you will need to be mindful of its limitations.

Creating Effective Backgrounds and Scenes

Photographing a car isn’t just about parking a car somewhere and taking shots. It’s about matching the car’s heritage and capabilities to the surroundings. This approach ensures you’re taking car photos in a place where it feels like it belongs.

This is why you must scout out a location first, and the type of car you’re shooting will determine where to look. For example, if you’re shooting a luxury sedan, you should aim for an urban environment that empathizes with the car’s comfort features. On the other hand, a rugged SUV would fit well in off-road conditions.

At some point, you may even get a chance to do a photoshoot of a vintage vehicle. For these images, I would recommend going for a rustic environment. It would help create a photo that would evoke feelings of nostalgia. On the other hand, if you get a chance to shoot a convertible, coastal areas, if available, are perfect for these kinds of cars.

Finding the right location means you may need to put in some extra work before the shoot. You can drive around and see good spots. You can also check out other photographers in your area and see which locations they use. 

The whole point of this is to ensure you add multiple layers of meaning to your photo. It is about telling a story, and the environment helps with that. Incorporating elements from the surrounding into the photo helps complete the picture and finalize your vision.

Editing and Post-Processing

Not getting the perfect look from the camera doesn’t mean the photo is bad, it means you haven’t edited it yet. Post-processing is the final step, allowing you to fine tune your car photos.

As someone who heavily uses Lightroom and Photoshop, I recommend using them in tandem. Lightroom gives you endless possibilities for tweaking your car shots. Photoshop is more of a tool that helps you manipulate your images, so you will use it if you’re making some heavier modifications. Personally, I use Lightroom at least 80% of the time.

The baseline adjustments, such as exposure, white balance, contrast, and sharpness, will help you highlight the details already present. Diving deeper into Lightroom will give you some advanced options, like color grading, which can be a powerful tool for setting the mood for the photo.

Going for warmer tones will help the reader convey feelings of excitement, passion, and energy, which is a good option for a sports car. Colder and more muted tones go well for sophistication and luxury, something you will want if you’re shooting a luxury sedan. Earthy tones, which despite being on the warmer side are preferred for SUVs and vehicles with off-road capabilities.

Focusing on the vehicle is one thing, but you may still need to do some advanced editing to get the most out of your photo. The dodge and burn tools can help a lot, allowing you to lighten or darken certain parts. 

Strait from the camera, you will find that the photo may have some imperfections, which is where the healing brush or clone stamp tools will help. Removing them will remove any potential distractions, which you don’t want to see.

The more you play around with editing car shots, the more comfortable you will feel. That said, I would advise you to remain consistent. Having your own style is a great way to strengthen yourself as a brand and continue to deliver memorable car photos to your public.

How to Become a Car Photographer

Turning your passion into a career can be an exciting but challenging journey. At first, you will be working fueled by your passion for car photography, which isn’t a bad thing. This will allow you to create a portfolio, which will be useful for attracting clients.

Like with any business, you will need to start small. Start shooting your own car or a friend’s car, an approach that will help you practise and perfect your skills. Most car owners will have no problem “lending” their vehicle to your passion. Shoot the car that’s available at the moment, regardless of the model.

Utilizing social media platforms can be a good way to build your portfolio and advertise your images. Paid ads can help you increase your number of followers. The best part is that you can target specific demographics, specifically ones that may be your potential clients.

Networking and collaborations can also help spread the word. Attending local car shows and talking with other car photographers can help you spread your name around. Discussion board and Facebook groups can also increase your audience and your chances of landing your next client. 

Dealerships are a great way to have a consistent “flow” of cars for your shoots, but it’s an approach where you will need to reach out. Be prepared for some rejections, especially if you don’t have a big enough portfolio. Sooner or later a dealership will say yes, and it’s all uphill from there.

Once you start getting clients, it’s essential to maintain a good relationship. Understanding your clients’ needs and setting clear expectations is essential. This will give them a sense of what to expect and what you can deliver. 

Even if you’re doing this out of love for cars, you still need to get paid. It’s preferable to create a pricing structure, offering multiple tiers and letting the client choose which one works for them. You should aim to target different budgets, meaning you will cover everything from basic to premium packages.

Last but not least, let me touch base on the legal side. To ensure you’re covered, it’s essential to create contracts with your clients, outlining details such as schedules, usage rights, and additional policies. You should also check if you need to obtain permits for some of the locations you will be shooting.

Inspiration and Building Your Style

As a beginner, your goal should be to learn from the best, and there are plenty to choose from.

Striving to deliver images as good as Larry Chen or Aaron Brimhall is a great forward-looking approach. With that said, many of the big players in car photography have expensive equipment and pretty big budgets, so I may seem intimidating.

This is where the “smaller” ones come into play. My personal favorite is Ben Hargreaves, whose account I have followed for a few years. I like his content because he gives quick tips and tricks that can help any rising photographer. Finding inspiration is crucial in this niche. Sure, creativity plays a big role, but that doesn’t mean you should draw inspiration from other sources such as online communities, social media or automotive magazines.

Inspiration shouldn’t come only from car photographers. Looking into other fields can help you create a unique style, which is essentially the goal here. Studying images of architecture and how it uses lines, symmetry, and spaces or fashion’s playful nature with textures and colors can help you find your “name.” Technology’s futuristic elements can also help a lot if you’re willing to dive into the world of minimalism.

Conclusion

Car photography is an exciting journey that combines technical knowledge with creativity. Mastering the craft requires patience and practice if you want to be good and successful. Use every chance you get to photograph cars to push the boundaries of your creativity and find a style that suits you.

As a constantly evolving niche, remaining up to date is essential. Follow established photographers and try to learn from them. Whether you need some inspiration or a quick tip, they can help you perfect your skills a lot.

At the end of the day, taking pictures of cars is more than just snapping a photo of a vehicle. It’s a way to express yourself as a car lover and tell a story through your images. Passion, dedication and patience will put you on the right track to success in this niche. So, grab your camera, your car keys and go out and shoot!

Would you like to level up your car photography? Join our community to share your shots, get feedback, and connect with fellow photography enthusiasts.

Take Away

Photographing cars requires technical skills, creativity, and the ability to tell a story through photos. Practice makes perfect, and the more you shoot, the better you will get. With careful planning, experimenting with frames and perfecting your editing skills, you will become a pro in no time.