Two strobe car lighting query

D

DataDog

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Steve
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Hi all,

Considering doing a few car shoots when I get home in a couple of weeks. I only have two 430 EXII's (with triggers and modifiers etc). I've been reading some posts on the net lately suggesting that I would need at least 1-2 more lights for a single-shot photo or I could get away with one flash for composite pics.

My question is this - If David Hobby can light half a basketball court with two SB's, what is the limiting factor of only having two strobes for a car shoot? Do they just not have the power or is it more to do with the required angles of the lights to prevent hotspots etc?

What techniques do you use yourself? I think I'll have to go down the composite route as I've spent enough on gear lately and saving for a 5D3 now... Does anyone have tips for where to light/where not to light if doing composite shots or should I basically light the entire car??

Sorry for the noob questions but this isn't an area I've had any experience in.

Cheers,
Steve(y)
 
More than possible and much less expensive to shoot a car as long as its a static shot with only one flash using several exposures and then use several layers in photoshop to combine the images,have seen some cracking results on other forums and also on Flickr.

Never tried myself but a good starting point would be on Strobist as theres lots of great info and you can spend hours just reading all the tips etc. Some very creative people out there.

Hope its ok to post this strobist link and there is also a Car Strobist group on Flickr.

Hope this helps (y) and good luck.
 
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firstly they are flashes not strobes

the limiting factor is the amount of ambient light you have. the more ambient light the less effect of the flash you'll get. you can obviously move the flashes closer to the car but then you'll not get the spread of light you require.

this was done with one 430ex when I first started doing cars a few years back. its a composite

975324093_cc81ad33f4_z.jpg




DataDog said:
Hi all,

Considering doing a few car shoots when I get home in a couple of weeks. I only have two 430 EXII's (with triggers and modifiers etc). I've been reading some posts on the net lately suggesting that I would need at least 1-2 more lights for a single-shot photo or I could get away with one flash for composite pics.

My question is this - If David Hobby can light half a basketball court with two SB's, what is the limiting factor of only having two strobes for a car shoot? Do they just not have the power or is it more to do with the required angles of the lights to prevent hotspots etc?

What techniques do you use yourself? I think I'll have to go down the composite route as I've spent enough on gear lately and saving for a 5D3 now... Does anyone have tips for where to light/where not to light if doing composite shots or should I basically light the entire car??

Sorry for the noob questions but this isn't an area I've had any experience in.

Cheers,
Steve(y)
Click to expand...
 
I think George Williams has been shooting with just one flashgun and compositing. But it depends what you want to do, time of day and other light available.

You can do a long exposure, timing for the background and multiple flash exposures walking around the car. I've done this several times i.e.
[img[http://www.pbase.com/byker28i/image/138518813.jpg[/img]
30 second exposure plus 30 odd flash exposures (as seen from the dotted white line)

Don't forget you can also use a long esposure and walk around with a torch.

Or you rig up as many flash guns as you need then shoot. This one was two, balanced against the sunset
138490600.jpg


This one was three flashguns, behind a roll of baking paper staked with bamboo canes trying to soften the light
138032859.jpg


Or you composite. Amazing what you can do with 4 flashguns taped to a light stand.
137783120.jpg



As for light modifiers, I've used a large cardboard tube from a carpet roll with a slot cut in it, rolls of baking paper, reflectors, softboxes - all sorts. Sometimes I work out lighting ideas with a model car and torch first.
 
The other thing to do is look at advertising shots and other peoples work and look at the lighting and try to work out how you would do it.

Worth looking at:
Tim Wallace: -http://www.ambientlife.co.uk/

George Williams: - http://www.gfwilliams.net/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/gfwilliams

Michael Sannwald: - http://www.mpsphotography.co.uk/automotive.html

Theres also a good article on the strobist site: - http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-it-takes-to-light-car.html

And 1x.com has some very good hints and tips i.e. http://1x.com/tutorials/31508/1946-desoto
 
I think I've touched a nerve...
POAH said:
firstly they are flashes not strobes
Click to expand...


Thanks for all the good advice here.(y) I'm familiar with the strobist blog and joined the car strobist group on Flickr yesterday. I absolutely LOVE the work of Tim Wallace on Ambientlife and have looked at many of his projects previously.

I have to confess though, I haven't heard of the other sites/photographers so I'm away to check them out now. Working offshore I get plenty of time to research new techniques while I'm away so looking forward to putting some into practice.

I'm going to try composites and long exposure shots to see what works best for me. Can't wait to get back to pick up the camera.

Thanks again!

P.S. I've got a couple of shoots in mind but if anyone has an R8 or an Aston up in the Highlands and wants a few shots done, let me know!!:D:D
 
Do you know the pistonheads website? Pop up a request in the relevant section and you may get some offers.

There's lots of really good vehicle photographers, I'll post a few more up later. Nick grant is another interesting one, very unique style.
 
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Thanks Byker - Pistonheads is a good shout. I never thought of that!

Fredercik Schlosser is another guy I have checked out on Facebook. Based in Germany and his PP work is pretty impressive. Lots to learn from.

This could be good fun!:D
 
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