Necessary Equipment for Automotive Glamour Photography
Automotive glamour photography is a captivating genre that combines the aesthetics of automotive design with the allure of glamour photography. It beautifully captures the essence and elegance of automobiles in a way that evokes emotion and captivates the viewer. Long gone are the newsstand mens automotive magazines like Import Tuner, Lowrider, and DSport who featured young women with amazing show cars.
Just because they’re gone doesn’t mean the genre is dead or that there aren’t people out there who want photos of beautiful women with their personal vehicles, even motorcycles. Because trust me. There really are a lot.
In this three part series we will explore this specialized facet of photography. Automotive Glamour Photography.
As many of you may know, I’d done a lot of this type of photography for my HIGHSPEED Magazine project over the years and I’ve learned a few things about photographing beautiful women with cars! As I am preparing for the relaunch of HIGHSPEED magazine, I thought now would be a great time to discuss this type of photography!
If you are an aspiring photographer looking to delve into the world of automotive glamour photography, here are some tips, starting with the equipment you should have to help you master this art:
Automotive glamour photography is a unique genre that requires specific equipment to capture the beauty and elegance of both the car and the model. Here is a list of necessary equipment for automotive glamour photography:
1. Camera:
A professional-grade DSLR camera is a pretty essential for automotive glamour photography. Invest in a camera that offers high-resolution capabilities, manual controls, and interchangeable lenses. This will allow you to capture every detail and achieve the desired level of depth and clarity in your images.
2. Lenses:
A variety of lenses will give you the versatility to capture different perspectives and focal lengths. Wide-angle lenses, such as a 24-70mm, are ideal for capturing the overall beauty of the car and its surroundings. For close-up shots and emphasizing details, a macro lens or a prime lens with a longer focal length, like an 85mm, can provide stunning results.
My personal favorite and lens I often use the most is my 70-200mm f2.8. I call that lens the beauty maker! The manner in which it compresses the subject makes everything look amazing! It is truly one of the absolute best lenses for portraits.
3. Filters:
It’s great to have a couple of filters in your bag. One of them being a neutral density, or ND filter. This is like putting sun glasses on your camera lens and it will help you be able to get a nice looking sky without using high speed sync.
The second and possibly most important filter to have in your bag for photographing cars is a polarizing filter. A polarizing filter on your camera helps reduce shiny reflections and glare. They also allow you to reduce the glare on surfaces like glass so you can get a clear shot through it without reflections on the surface.
4. Tripod:
A sturdy tripod is crucial for maintaining stability and reducing camera shake, especially during long exposure shots or when using slower shutter speeds. It allows you to achieve sharp images while ensuring the car and model remain in focus.
5. Reflector and Diffuser:
These lighting modifiers are invaluable tools for manipulating natural or artificial light. A reflector can bounce light back onto the subject or car to fill in shadows, while a diffuser can soften and diffuse harsh light, creating a more pleasing and even illumination.
6. External Lighting:
While natural light can work wonders, having control over the lighting is very beneficial to automotive glamour photography. Invest in external lighting options such as strobes, continuous lights, or speedlights to provide additional illumination and create dramatic effects. Experiment with different lighting setups and techniques to enhance the beauty of the car and model.
7. Remote Shutter Release:
While not a tool I have ever really made use of in my automotive photography when shooting with models, a remote shutter release enables you to trigger the camera without touching it, reducing the risk of camera shake. This is especially useful when using slow shutter speeds or capturing self-portraits with the car.
8. Cleaning Kit:
To maintain the pristine appearance of the car in your images, a cleaning kit with microfiber cloths, lens cleaning solution, and a blower can help remove dust, smudges, or fingerprints from both the car’s surface and camera lenses.
9. Props and Styling Accessories:
Consider including props and styling accessories to enhance the overall aesthetic and story of your automotive glamour shoot. These can include items like vintage accessories, fashion pieces, or additional lighting elements for creative effects.
10. Software and Editing Tools:
Post-processing is a crucial part of automotive glamour photography. Invest in editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to fine-tune your images, adjust exposure, enhance colors, and bring out the best in your photographs.
Remember, while having the right equipment is important, mastering the technique and artistic vision behind automotive glamour photography is equally crucial. Practice regularly, experiment with different techniques, and develop your own unique style to create incredible images that capture the essence of both the car and the model. Happy shooting!
Note: The equipment mentioned above is a guideline and can be adapted based on individual preferences and budget.
Part 2 of this series coming out on Wednesday 8/16 will explore preparing for the actual photo shoot and some tips for accomplishing that. Sign Up for my mailing list so that you don’t miss any of my posts when they go live. I won’t spam you and the newsletter goes out once a week.
