This past July, I was on a Target run with my wife and daughter. Just your standard run of the mill trip. The one where she says: "Ooooh that's cute" and I reply: "But we don't need it though." Walking through the parking lot, I saw a homie snapping some pictures of his Audi wagon (pictured above) with his phone. I've been thinking about refreshing the Automotive page on the website, and an idea hit. I walked over to introduce myself and ask if he would be interested in getting a photoshoot done. I was expecting a no, but the homie said yes!
Welcome to another Photo Story.
Meet Ezekiel & his Audi Wagon
Of course I had forgot my business cards at the house, but we were able to connect on Instagram. We messaged back and forth over the following days to hash out all the details. What day? What time? Where are we shooting?
The basics answered, I began to get into the finer details.
How detailed does a plan need to be then?
Shooting static shots of a car doesn't require much of a plan. Select a location, pick a time, show up, take photos: easy day! Getting the motion is a different story though. There are two ways to get the car in motion. One is to stand in one spot as the car drives by and pan. This is how I take photos when I am at the track. The other way is to be in another vehicle and take photos car-to-car.
Both options require more planning and people than taking photos in a parking lot.
Good route planning sets backdrop and makes for better photos!
Route planning is key. Not only does it set the backdrop for the photos, but it needs to be planned in a low traffic area. Here we see two benefits:
1. No other cars in the shots!
2. Fewer safety concerns
Safety is huge when shooting from one car to another. The last thing that anyone needs is to lose control or for someone to get injured. Controls are always implemented to keep everyone on the same page.
Picking the Right Road
When I plan a route, I'll look through Google Maps to get a feel for how long it will take to drive, what the speed limits are, and where I think good photo areas would be.
From here I go drive the route myself. Driving the route at the time of the shoot is important. It lets me see what the scenery will look like, highlights any key areas I want to get photos, and lets me see the traffic patterns at that time of day.
I'll also source a dedicated driver for the photo car. This allows me to focus on the photos and have someone else maintaining control of the vehicle. No distractions, better photos, increased safety.
Inside and Out: I like to stop half way and grab some interior action shots
Plans are worthless without a good brief before we start. At the location I make sure all parties are on the same page. Some of the areas I highlight are:
1. Route: cover the area and speeds we'll be driving.
2. Communication: how will the two vehicles communicate throughout a dynamic environment? Hand signals or radios are my preferred methods. If there's a misunderstanding it's important to remember: maintain lane discipline and stick to the rules of the road.
3. Safety: I highlight we aren't out here racing. Maintaining constant speed and following the rules of the road keeps everything predictable. This makes taking photos easier while eliminating any risk.
4. Turnaround point: I usually plan a route where I can switch from the photo car to the client's car. This lets me get some rolling and action shots of them driving, adding another level to the dynamic feel of the shoot.
When all is said and done, the photos will speak for themselves. Ezekiel was STOKED with how these turned out! The shoot was smooth and easy. Even though we never met before, the whole event was super laid back. Having the plan and communicating effectively let everything just flow.