Night Shot of my Hot Lava

[TNPerformance]

Well, I finally got my Hot Lava yesterday! (after waiting 2 weeks) and I decided to go out and try to get a nice shot of her. I am no professional by any means, but I have studied up on this technique a little bit. With some trial and error on my other cars I knew some do's and do not's when going out this time. This was my result this time. Still got some post editing tricks I need to learn, but I'm getting there! Shot with a Canon EOS 60D with the kit lens. Let me know what you guys think! Glad to finally be a part of the family!

[Anthony]

Congrats! Do you live in the Mobile area?

Also, there's a whole collection of night shots here: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34780

You should add to the collection.

[TNPerformance]

DOH! Added! I am currently living in Tuscaloosa, but will be moving to Montgomery within the next couple of weeks. And thanks!

[d4wt]

nice!

bama crew ftw

[Nothing]

Nice shot!

[torqdork]

Congrats on your new car! Dramatic shot, very impressive lighting. Please tell us your technique pre and post.

[TNPerformance]

Thanks a lot guys. The technique is actually not too hard, so I will try to explain in the simplest way possible. I'll also link a video that was a big help in the post processing. Any google or youtube search of "light painting car" will also help you out a lot

Things needed:

-DSLR
-Tripod
-Remote shutter control
-Light of your choice (flashlight, halogen, flourescent, LED, etc)
-VERY dark spot (to get a result as above)

Set camera for something like 20-30 second exposure (mine was 30 sec exposure ISO=400 Aperature=20). Get the car in the position that you want and set up the camera on the tripod in your desired angle of the photo. Set the camera on autofocus and shine the light on the car so the camera is able to focus. Once it is focused, turn autofocus OFF (very important). Now, you do not want to touch the camera anymore at this point.

Here is where technique varies. Start the picture with the remote (so you don't have to touch the camera) and while its taking the 30 sec picture, you slowly shine your light all over the car. This takes practice. So after each picture look at the review and you will see what was lit well, and what needed more light. The picture above is an overlay of 5 different photos, so don't worry if you don't get everything in the first shot. Take as many as you need until you have everything on the car lit well. To get a streak down the car, you have to slowly walk down the car (start at one side when the photo starts, and walk slowly enough to where you reach the other end when the photo ends, and keep the light at the SAME LEVEL the whole time for a smooth streak line). Again, it takes practice. Its much easier to do than to explain lol.

Here is a video that helped in the post process on how to overlay them. Again, search more for "light painting" and "light painting car" for more info and ideas! And PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNEoGnLLluU&list=FLaK8qpcyNkL48p6iUi2CGCA& index=3"]ZR1 Photography & Post-Processing Tutorial - JMR Visuals - YouTube[/ame]

[FRSupra]

Supra and you chose hot lava, somebody raised you right.

[TNPerformance]

Hah! I appreciate it man. Love em both. And I guess since it's relevant now that you mentioned it, here is a night shot I did of my supra. I was still learning at this point, but it turned out ok. Got some background in there, but I lit the car differently.

[torqdork]

Wow, I had no idea it was so involved, but the result speaks for itself. It's time to dust off my DSLR. I've become a little lazy with my pocket cam scene presets. Thanks for the tutorial.

Originally Posted by TNPerformance

Thanks a lot guys. The technique is actually not too hard, so I will try to explain in the simplest way possible. I'll also link a video that was a big help in the post processing. Any google or youtube search of "light painting car" will also help you out a lot

Things needed:

-DSLR
-Tripod
-Remote shutter control
-Light of your choice (flashlight, halogen, flourescent, LED, etc)
-VERY dark spot (to get a result as above)

Set camera for something like 20-30 second exposure (mine was 30 sec exposure ISO=400 Aperature=20). Get the car in the position that you want and set up the camera on the tripod in your desired angle of the photo. Set the camera on autofocus and shine the light on the car so the camera is able to focus. Once it is focused, turn autofocus OFF (very important). Now, you do not want to touch the camera anymore at this point.

Here is where technique varies. Start the picture with the remote (so you don't have to touch the camera) and while its taking the 30 sec picture, you slowly shine your light all over the car. This takes practice. So after each picture look at the review and you will see what was lit well, and what needed more light. The picture above is an overlay of 5 different photos, so don't worry if you don't get everything in the first shot. Take as many as you need until you have everything on the car lit well. To get a streak down the car, you have to slowly walk down the car (start at one side when the photo starts, and walk slowly enough to where you reach the other end when the photo ends, and keep the light at the SAME LEVEL the whole time for a smooth streak line). Again, it takes practice. Its much easier to do than to explain lol.

Here is a video that helped in the post process on how to overlay them. Again, search more for "light painting" and "light painting car" for more info and ideas! And PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!

[FRSupra]

Originally Posted by TNPerformance

Hah! I appreciate it man. Love em both. And I guess since it's relevant now that you mentioned it, here is a night shot I did of my supra. I was still learning at this point, but it turned out ok. Got some background in there, but I lit the car differently.

god that's sexy