My Tornado Red. (I don't care that I started a new topic)

[kryptonkid07]

Here are some pictures I took today. Let me me know what you guys think.

[Gunny]

Nice, but would be better if you painted it Candy White.

When you go white, you nknow its right, tight, and ready to fight.

[134GTI]

hey looks good to me. but if i were you i would cover my plates when i up load a pic of my car. only because now any one can find you if they wanted to. its up to you.

[kryptonkid07]

Yeah... i don't really care.. what's the worst they could do?

[Gunny]

I dont hide mine either. What are they gonna have huggy bear run your plates with their connection?

[VEGAS FAHRENHEIT]

Nice Pics, krypton - sweet ride

[kryptonkid07]

Thanks Vegas.

I'm waiting for Tony to see them. I'd like a professional's opinion. Haha. I took a lot more pictures, I might post them too. They're almost all the same.

[VEGAS FAHRENHEIT]

You HAVE to come to Vegas and do a photoshoot over here....

[uncle dude]

Nice. I like the composition.

[kryptonkid07]

BUMP. I want more opinions.

[nvroadwarrior]

Looks great! Your back drop has much to be desired though! And where's the hot chick to go with it?

[kryptonkid07]

She was at home.

[fastgti]

i had that same problem when i got married. i got the the car 5 days before i got married and all i did was spend my time on this site. she got reallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy pissed off at me. and the car.

[Gunny]

I gave the White comment just meesin around, but if you are really looking for input I would say: I get the grunge background contrast to the new GTI. However, the background is too large, and the car is too small in the picture. Focus more on the car, the background will still show, and still convey the grunge.

[kryptonkid07]

Originally Posted by Gunny

I gave the White comment just meesin around, but if you are really looking for input I would say: I get the grunge background contrast to the new GTI. However, the background is too large, and the car is too small in the picture. Focus more on the car, the background will still show, and still convey the grunge.

This one's for you Gunny... is this what you were talking about? I took it the same day, just didn't upload it:

[VEGAS FAHRENHEIT]

That pic looks just great ---- total focus on the car, the background gives a nice contrast - nice touch by turning the wheels a little to the left

[Gunny]

Yes. Much better!

[SyclonePR]

Cool!

[REDGTI]

I just took these today. I'm waiting to install the body kit until after winter, I think. The apple of my eye:

[Dragon]

I like the AE badge with the Fast!

[REDGTI]

Thanks. I actually got the AE badge for free when I worked at a VW dealership. I was looking at badges on some website, and saw it being sold for something like $150. I wouldn't have paid that much.

[TOE_FAST]

Hey Krypton - Nice ride bro

My take on photography of cars ( or any subject matter for that matter ) is that there isnt necessarilly a wrong or a right, there is only opinion. Just because i do this for a living...doesnt make mine the right one ... so getting my disclaimer out of the way, let me critique your shots

The shot where the car is aimed to the right (my right) and centered perfectly is my favorite, the ones where the car isnt completely in the frame go too far into the realm of abstract for my tastes, if you are posting car images, my opinion is you should post images of a car...not a building with a car trying to sneak into the picture. Tight shots of cars are great, but they should have emphasis, impact and make the viewer want to linger at the image and stare for awhile to see the little details often overlooked in everyday life.

The shot witht he car in center has some detractions, the building has a big black T and a few vents and pipes that are horribly cluttering, for my tastes i prefer clean backgrounds that are distant so the lens bokeh can smooth out any imperfections and help the car to pop off the background like a proud senior on photo day.

I do rather enjoy the deepened contrast that hides some of the effects of midday sun, but again remember to use photoshop techniques sparingly, a great image will be able to stand alone without the help of modern day darkroom techniques.

All in all i say great job, the images are clear, bright and show creativity ...put the car more in the frame ( or all the way ) next time, find a better backdrop ... or if you like the grunge look of an alley or industrial site...wait for nightfall/dusk and use the alley in a menacing way.... let late day shadows hide certain parts of the alley, so the GTI looks like its crawling out from the gutter to wreck havoc on the night, much like you were going for here...beauty juxtaposed against ugliness ....just use light to help convey that message.

Remember photography is the capturing and manipulation of light, everything else is secondary in importance.

Good luck and thanks for posting

[kryptonkid07]

Originally Posted by TOE_FAST

Hey Krypton - Nice ride bro

My take on photography of cars ( or any subject matter for that matter ) is that there isnt necessarilly a wrong or a right, there is only opinion. Just because i do this for a living...doesnt make mine the right one ... so getting my disclaimer out of the way, let me critique your shots

The shot where the car is aimed to the right (my right) and centered perfectly is my favorite, the ones where the car isnt completely in the frame go too far into the realm of abstract for my tastes, if you are posting car images, my opinion is you should post images of a car...not a building with a car trying to sneak into the picture. Tight shots of cars are great, but they should have emphasis, impact and make the viewer want to linger at the image and stare for awhile to see the little details often overlooked in everyday life.

The shot witht he car in center has some detractions, the building has a big black T and a few vents and pipes that are horribly cluttering, for my tastes i prefer clean backgrounds that are distant so the lens bokeh can smooth out any imperfections and help the car to pop off the background like a proud senior on photo day.

I do rather enjoy the deepened contrast that hides some of the effects of midday sun, but again remember to use photoshop techniques sparingly, a great image will be able to stand alone without the help of modern day darkroom techniques.

All in all i say great job, the images are clear, bright and show creativity ...put the car more in the frame ( or all the way ) next time, find a better backdrop ... or if you like the grunge look of an alley or industrial site...wait for nightfall/dusk and use the alley in a menacing way.... let late day shadows hide certain parts of the alley, so the GTI looks like its crawling out from the gutter to wreck havoc on the night, much like you were going for here...beauty juxtaposed against ugliness ....just use light to help convey that message.

Remember photography is the capturing and manipulation of light, everything else is secondary in importance.

Good luck and thanks for posting

Thank you. I appreciate your sincerity. I'll see what i can do next time i take pictures of my car.

[TOE_FAST]

My pleasure, thank you for sharing

Also, remember to try to get different viewpoints, we always see images of cars at head height, get down on the ground look at your car from a stairwell or out a window if possible, park it in front of water or under trees where you get a zillion reflections on the shiny paint.

Variety is the spice of life ...mix it up and most of all, have fun!

[Euridice]

One thing about the pictures I really like is the reflection of the building stripes etc on the car. Maybe crop the photos down to take care of the comments about the large background? I was taking some pictures of my UG not long ago and realized that there were cool clouds reflected. They did not detract from the beauty of my UG and looked good.

[kryptonkid07]

Here are some more pictures I took last night. I don't have my MacBook with me at my sister's house, so these are completely un-edited.

[VEGAS FAHRENHEIT]

SUPER KEWL!!!

[kryptonkid07]

BUMP....


I know you guys are online... i just want some opinions.

[uncle dude]

I like your first batch better. Even if you don't like the industrial background in the first batch, you can't deny that the car pops - which it doesn't in the second batch IMO. I think you should play with the depth of field too.

#1 - wish I could see more tail light
#2 - not bad, but too much head light for me
#3 & #4 - architectural element dominates both shots
#5 - I like the quality of light on the car, but I find it gets lost in the overall shot

I like the fact that you post these and ask for honest opinions They are fun to look at.

[TOE_FAST]

Here is my critique...

More light on the car, less on the background...you want your car to be the focus of the image and have the background add to the feel, you dont want the background to dominate the image.

Try lower angles ... give the viewer a "car tire " perspective, show people what they dont see in everyday life, be the explorer for the viewer.

Same for higher angles, always keeping true to the subject matter.

Think of a singer on a stage, lit only by a spotlight...we all know the background is cluttered with band equipment, cords and props but since the spotlight is only lighting what we want to see, the background being black is pleasing ... and im not saying to take a picture of a car against a black abyss, but try to think of the background as something to add to the image in a pleasing way...try to keep it subdued and make it compliment the car, not overpower or detract from it.

Lines... cars are all about lines and geometric shapes or flowing curves...find an environment that flows like your car, be it flowing in color, or lines or shapes or a combination, think of lines in such a way as to use them compositionally to lead the viewer from the edge of the photo, to the center where the car is.

Next time i want to see the car as the center of attention...light it up, make it pop, put your focus on the car.

Nice job though, keep trying...thats what photography is all about, always trying new things viewing the world with a continually changing eye.

[kryptonkid07]

thanks for the opinions and suggestions!

Here are some more pictures. This is what i do when i'm bored....

The exposure (i think that's what it's called, I'm not familiar with the photography jargon) is at 20 seconds... it was pitch black. i took it around 9:30 i think.

[kryptonkid07]

bump?

[TOE_FAST]

Do you have any flash equipment?

ok...i got an experiment for you, since you obviously have a tripod and can do exposures of at least 20 seconds...i want you to try something for me.

If you have a flash, i want you to set the camera on a tripod and set it to 20 second exposure at F5 - this is your baseline exposure for this experiment.

First things first though, put the car in front of nothing...construction equipment growing out of the top of the car looks ugly ( no offense bro ) its just not adding to a picture of a beautiful car.

Next compose the image, focus on the car with the camera on the tripod and start the exposure...as soon as the shutter opens take your flash which will be powered on and ready, go off to the sides and walk around the car popping the test button on your flash, aim it at parts of the car you want illuminated ...this is a really fun experiment and will get different results every time you shoot.

If you dont have a flash, get a spotlight ( something with a half a million candle power at least ) and paint the car with light... IE: lightpainting which is what this technique is called.

if you go behind the car be sure not to shine the light into your lens, you can light the back of the car but make sure the car is blocking the camera angle...what this will do is rim light the car, if you look at my avatar image and look at the back tire...this is what i did with a flash unit, the exposure was about 15 seconds and i went around the car popping my flash, when i got behind the car ( oppositte side of the tripod ) i got low so the flash was blocked by the car but still created a 3D effect with the light ( backlighting/rimlighting )

Play around with it...if you are lighting the car up too much... move back so not as much light output is hitting the car, that is one way how you adjust the exposure when lightpainting, the other is to adjust the exposure in camera.... if you need it to be more dark...raise the F number and increase the time of the exposure to 25 seconds and so on and so forth.

Remember... photography is the capturing and manipulation of light, if your images lack light, they lack emotion. Light is your best friend when it comes to photography, use it to your advantage ...now get to work and post up some images of your success.

Good luck

[kryptonkid07]

TOE,
I appreciate your critique. I feel like you're my teacher and I'm just not getting it. haha... i'm hard headed i guess

As far as the tripod. Yeah I just got it. It's hard to divide my money with my car and what I'm trying to make my hobby. my next thing will be flash equipment.

I'll see if i can get it right on the next batch.

[TOE_FAST]

No worries... and dont ever take my critiques as me saying anything negative.

Always remember, there is never any " getting it right " its always right, its always a learning curve ...if you make an image and say to yourself "thats perfect" its time to stop shooting because you have done the impossible, there is no such thing as perfection, only your next best effort!

Since you dont have a flash, try a flashlight with the tripod, lightpaint your car and let us know how it went

[mog3618]

Nice TR...

[VA2STLTH]

Kryptonkid07,

I love the front passenger side shot the best. You and TOE have me inspired to change up my pictures and get a camera that allows for pictures like yours. TOE is just amazing with that picture of his FH coming at the camera with the orange hills background. You got some great shots and im sure TOE can only make your future efforts better. Im loving all these FAST pictures.

[kryptonkid07]

Originally Posted by mog3618

Nice TR...

thanks. right back at you.

Originally Posted by VA2STLTH

Kryptonkid07,

I love the front passenger side shot the best. You and TOE have me inspired to change up my pictures and get a camera that allows for pictures like yours. TOE is just amazing with that picture of his FH coming at the camera with the orange hills background. You got some great shots and im sure TOE can only make your future efforts better. Im loving all these FAST pictures.

Thank you.

[TOE_FAST]

Krypton - your homework assignment is late! have you tried lightpainting yet?

Thanks for the compliments VA .. Krypton has passion for photography and im glad you do too, its a lifelong thing if you take it seriously enough and the images you have at the end of your life will be your showcase and testament to where you were and what you did.

looking forward to seeing more images on here

[kryptonkid07]

Originally Posted by TOE_FAST

Krypton - your homework assignment is late! have you tried lightpainting yet?

Thanks for the compliments VA .. Krypton has passion for photography and im glad you do too, its a lifelong thing if you take it seriously enough and the images you have at the end of your life will be your showcase and testament to where you were and what you did.

looking forward to seeing more images on here

Eek! I didn't know i had a due date!! I'll get on it sir!