Car Photography: 25 Tips for Breathtaking Images (Ideas, Poses, Angles)

Have you ever come across a jaw-dropping photo of a sports car on Instagram that made you stop scrolling and stare? 

Like, the metallic paint glimmering in golden hour light, the low angle showcasing the graceful body lines, the perfect reflection of a palm tree in the side mirror. 

All of these make you think – how did they capture that? What skills and techniques set breathtaking car photography apart from average snapshots?

Well, a few key methods make a big impact, like playing with lighting to highlight the contours and colors, working locations and backgrounds to place the car in an interesting setting, and finding dynamic poses and perspectives. 

Likewise, small adjustments to angles, focal lengths, and compositions can reveal the beauty and personality that great automotive photographers have an eye for. Curious to explore more of these pro techniques to up your car photography game a notch higher? We bet you are. 

And that’s why here, we’ve compiled 25 expert tips for capturing captivating car photos guaranteed to stop scrollers in their tracks.

Getting the Hang of Your Equipment

Having the right gear in your photography arsenal is your first big step to capturing breathtaking car images. Think of your camera and lenses as your buddies for this photography mission. Here are the technical stuff to remember:

Choosing the Right Camera for Car Photography

When it comes to car pics, not every camera is up for the task. What you want is a DSLR or mirrorless with lots of lens options and full manual settings. Having that control is key for adjusting to different lighting and getting creative with depth of field. Here are some other things to think about:

• Look for a full-frame camera with a high dynamic range and ISO performance so your shots stay crisp and noise-free even in low light. It must also have snappy autofocus to keep pace when shooting cars zooming by.

• Consider the megapixels too, especially if you plan to blow your photos up big. The more the megapixels the finer the details. For professional results, aim for a camera offering at least 100MP.

• Factor in the burst rate if you’re after action shots. A burst rate as fast as 1/160 seconds or higher allows for rapid snaps of multiple images, which is crucial for getting that perfect high-speed shot. 

• A camera that shoots RAW is a plus. As RAW files hold onto more photo info, you get more flexibility when editing later on.

Choosing Lenses for Different Car Shot Styles

The lens you use will drastically affect your car pics, as different lenses offer varying perspectives and can add creativity to your car imagery. So it’s good to have a few options. Here are some common lens types and when they work best:

• Wide-Angle Lenses: Perfect for fitting the whole car in with its surroundings. They give a dramatic perspective when shooting up close too. Pros usually recommend those within the 24-70mm range for greater flexibility, as you will see in many online forums.

• Telephoto Lenses: These crush background clutter or isolate cars from their environment. Also handy for closeups of details and movements. The 70-200mm range does the trick here.

• Prime Lenses: Known for shallow depth of field, primes make cars pop from backgrounds nicely. A 50mm is classic but 30-85mm works well for portraits too.

• Macro Lenses: Not a go-to for most, but macros let you capture sweet details like leather upholstery textures or dash intricacies up close.

Essential Gear Beyond Lenses for Outdoor Car Shoots

Your camera and lenses are key, but when these extras join the gear, your outdoor car portraits are set up for success:

Pre-Shoot Preparation

Alright, so you’ve got all your gear sorted. Now what? Taking some time to prepare is just as important as the actual shoot. Before heading out, here are a few things to keep in mind to set yourself up for success:

What is the Best Time of the Day for Car Photography?

The golden hours right after sunrise and before sunset are usually the best times for shooting cars. That’s when the light is soft, warm, and diffused. It gives your pictures a natural glow and depth without the harsh shadows or blown-out highlights you can get around midday.

Those times are also perfect for playing with interesting shadows and highlights on the car’s body. You can try for some nice contrast by placing a light-colored car against a dark backdrop, or a dark car against something light. Just be careful of direct sunlight causing unwanted reflections or glare.

If your schedule doesn’t line up with golden hour, overcast days provide nice even lighting too. The clouds diffuse the light well for auto pics. But you may need some extra lamps to pick up details on the car if it’s too flat.

How to Scout the Ideal Location

Finding just the right background is almost as important as the vehicle itself for stunning car photos. The key is to scout locations that complement the car’s personality and tell the story you want. Whether it’s an urban street, an open highway, or a rugged trail, consider the following:

• When looking for places to shoot, think about how the environment will mesh with your car’s personality. Do some research on the vehicle beforehand so you have an idea of what vibe it gives off.

• Scope out areas with simple, clean backgrounds rather than super busy spots that may distract from the car. You want all the attention on your ride.

• Think, too, about how colors in the background will blend with or contrast against your car. Similarly, look for things like leading lines or patterns that could frame shots nicely.

• When going for action shots, check whether the spot has plenty of safe space. You’ll want to avoid liability for blocking roads unintentionally.

• Get as creative as you can. For example, an old abandoned warehouse might be perfect for a vintage car. Think outside typical spots.

• Also, scope out how busy areas tend to be with people and traffic. Choosing quiet times or low-key locations can help you concentrate on shooting without distractions.

Shooting in a Studio versus Outdoors

Now, all the outdoor photography tips we’ve discussed also make you ponder about shooting indoors, in a studio setting. This controlled environment can offer consistent lighting and a pure background that lets the car’s design speak for itself. Besides,

• In a studio, you have precise control over every light source. This allows you to highlight particular features, surfaces, and contours on the car with ease. Harsh shadows and reflections won’t be an issue.

• Weather and changing natural light won’t factor in either, giving you a stable, predictable workspace. Shooting outdoors means working around the elements and time constraints more.

• Backdrops and props in a studio are fully customizable too. You can tailor the surroundings to match the car’s personality or a client’s brand in a clean, polished way.

So for commercial shoots, especially when pristine looks are key, studio photography may be the best route.

Preparing the Car

Presentation is everything in car photography. So before you even think about snapping a picture, the vehicle deserves the same attention to detail that a model would before a photo shoot. Here’s what to do to ensure the car looks its best:

• Give it a thorough wash: Dirt and grime on the car can take away from how good it looks in photos. Clean every nook and cranny so it has a flawless finish.

• Use a waterless cleaner: For a super smooth look, use a waterless automotive cleaner with polish. Wipe it on with a soft microfiber cloth.

• Detail the interior too: When shooting inside, be sure to use a detailing solution and polish. This gives everything a nice glossy shine.

• Do quick touch-ups: Right before shooting in a new spot, take a moment to go over any problem areas on the car. And blow out the tires so they look fresh.

• Mind how the light hits: As you clean, think about where reflections might occur on different surfaces. Position the car accordingly.

• Check the backdrop: Make sure there’s nothing unwanted around the edges of the frame, like trash, that could draw the eye away from the car.

• Consider the background setting: A rustic barn, city, or open road could provide context and mood to your photos.

• Turn the wheels slightly: Pointing the wheels a bit at the camera gives more of a rolling effect.

• Open elements if you can: Popping the hood or convertible top adds interest and a peek under the skin.

Positioning the Car

When setting up your car shot, orientation massively impacts the overall vibe. And moving the car into different positions lets you highlight unique features and tell different stories. So, experiment with different positions, like:

• Side shots draw attention to the length and curves of the car.

• Three-quarter views bring out the 3D shape, especially of the front or back ends.

• Frontal photos emphasize details like the grill and headlights that define the front-end design.

• Try just below chest height at an angle too – it gives a balanced but still slightly bold look.

• High angles make the car appear powerful and dominant over the frame, while low shots lend more of a speed and agility feel.

• Closeups from really wide angles using a wide-angle lens can warp and distort parts of the car, so watch out for that.

Camera Technique and Settings

You’ve got your location scoped out and the parked car is looking good. Now it’s time to grab the camera and capture the ride. Whether you’re working with a nice DSLR, a compact mirrorless, or even your phone, the settings can make or break the shot. 

That’s why we always recommend using manual mode, as it gives you full control to adjust the exposure triangle – aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Here are some key pointers to remember when making the adjustments:

The Right Aperture for Sharpness and Depth of Field

• Use a wider aperture (a lower f-stop number) like f/2.8 to highlight the car with a soft, blurred background. This isolates your subject nicely.  

• But if you want both car and scenery sharp, choose something narrower (a higher f-stop number) around f/8. 

• Always make sure the car itself is crisp no matter what. Adjust the aperture based on how blurred you want behind it – shallow for portraits, deeper for landscapes.

Shutter Speed for Capturing Motion or Stillness

• If you want that “speed” feeling, slow it down and pan with the car. This technique, called panning, blurs the background but keeps the car sharp, showing the movement.

• On the flip side, for a crispy parked shot against a busy background, go faster to freeze everything. 

• Then again, you could also set your shutter speed to whatever your cars are traveling at. for example, 40mph at 1/40th.

• Experiment at different light levels to see how the shutter affects the look.

ISO Settings for Optimal Exposure

• As the ISO controls the camera’s sensitivity to light, you’ll want to keep it lower, around 100-200, for the cleanest shots.

• But low light means having to bump it, so do it gradually and check for graininess.

• Always remember – the higher the ISO, the more digital noise can spoil quality shots.

Composing Your Shots and Framing the Subject

The way you compose and frame your photos defines how people look at what’s in the picture. In this case, it’s your car. So when you’re taking photos, the boundaries you set with your frame will draw attention to where you want it.

A well-thought-out composition can guide someone’s eyes through the photo and highlight the best parts of the vehicle. Here are some composition tips to think about:

The Rule of Thirds for Visual Interest

• When framing up your shot, imagine a 3×3 grid over the frame. 

• Position the car along those lines or where they intersect to make it way more visually interesting. 

• Stick it on the left or right third to give it some movement like it’s cruising down the road.

Leading Lines and Symmetry to Guide the Eye

• Use any natural or man-made lines in the shot, like roads or fences, to lead the viewer’s eyes toward the car. 

• Diagonal lines are dope cause they add attitude and action. 

• Symmetry is another option that catches your attention, like centering the car or using reflections for a mirror effect. It gives the pic an artistic vibe.

Balance and Negative Space

• You’ll want to leave some open area around the car so it doesn’t feel too cramped in the shot. This lets the car stand out as the focus. 

• Balancing it out by adding other elements like plants or buildings prevents any side from dominating too much.

Selective Focus and Orientation Details

• Zooming in on certain details, like the badges, rims, or interior, creates up-close portraits that tell the story of craftsmanship. 

• Macro shots are a good way to admire small features and materials up close.

Color and Contrast Attention

• The car pops more when it is paired with a background that’s contrasting in color. For example, a bright red car against a leafy green backdrop can be a real eye-catcher.

• Also, you’ll want to watch out for any color reflections that might alter the car’s true hue.

Lighting the Scene Just Right

Sometimes, the sole difference between an average shot and a spectacular one is how you use the lighting. The key is mastering the golden hour – that time just before sunset or just after sunrise when the light is soft and warm. But there are more tips to up your car photography lighting game:

Golden and Blue Hour – The Best Time for Outdoor Shoots

• Shoot during golden hour to get those warm, soft vibes that really make your car’s lines pop.

• Blue hour, right after sunset or before sunrise, gives everything a cooler tone which can set a different mood than golden hour.

Using Natural Light to Your Advantage

• Check where the sun is hitting and position your ride to showcase certain features or create some dope shadows and highlights.

• Bring a reflector to bounce light back on the car if the sun is intense, so you don’t lose detail in deep shadows.

Artificial Lighting Techniques

• If shooting at night or on a cloudy day, use external lights or flashes to be more in control of the lighting setup.

• Adjusting the ISO to 100, setting the shutter speed to 30 seconds, and selecting an aperture of f/9 often works wonders in low-light conditions.

• Don’t be afraid to experiment with different lighting angles to create dope shadows or highlight details on the car.

• Play around with where you point your lights and how bright you have them. Side lighting reveals texture and shape, while backlighting looks sick for silhouettes.

• Reflectors are clutch for bouncing light back onto the car to soften any harsh shadows from direct sun.

• Try out different colored gels on your lights to see how the mood and vibe change. The right color choice can totally alter the backdrop and set the tone. You can watch this video to get better ideas on using colored gels.

• Remember to balance the power of your studio lights with the ambient light to avoid blown-out or underexposed areas in your shots.

How to Manage Harsh Sunlight and Shadows

• If shooting midday when the sun is intense, seek out shade or use a diffuser.

• Shadows can look fire but watch they don’t distract from the subject.

• Underexpose photos slightly so you have details to uncover later in editing.

• HDR (High Dynamic Range)is your friend for high-contrast scenes – take multiple exposures and merge them for balanced highlights and shadows.

Flattering Poses, Unique Angles, and Creative Ideas for Car Photography

As every photographer will tell you, the more you play around with perspectives and angles, the more dynamic and exciting your shots become. Cars can appear powerful from a low angle, or sleek and fast from a side profile. Here’s where creativity comes into play.

Dynamic Driving Shots for Action

You can’t just jump in your car, cruise along, and snap a few shots out the window, can you? You’ve got to plan your position, speed, and settings. Here are some ways to catch the essence of driving:

• Bring a friend who can drive while you focus on photos. That way you’re not distracted behind the wheel.

• Attach your camera securely inside the car or to yourself with a strap, so your hands are free.

• Try having both cars match speeds side by side, with yours slightly ahead. Something around 60 kph is fast enough to show movement but not too fast to make shots hard.

• Use your camera’s burst mode and set your shutter speed around 1/100 so there’s a bit of blur, which adds to the sense of motion. You can go slower but then more shots might not turn out well.

• Only do this on quiet back roads so you don’t freak other drivers out. 

Keeping the Dynamic Even When Parked

Just because the car isn’t driving doesn’t mean the photos can’t feel dynamic. Try things like:

• Shoot from angles that show off the design elements and aerodynamics. A three-quarters front view looks really sporty.

• Frame the parked car in a way that guides the eye, like using lines or a tunnel effect leading to it.

• Get reflections telling the backdrop’s story, which adds visual interest.

• Consider how the surroundings affect its image—a contrasting scene makes it stand out more.

• Turn the wheels just a bit like it’s about to go. This adds to the feel of motion.

• Going super wide or tight on logos, wheels, or the engine also creates a dramatic effect. 

Shooting the Car Interior

The soul of a car is often in the details of its interior. Getting good shots takes some effort but pays off big time. Here are some tips:

• Wider apertures like f2.8 blur the background while keeping trim pieces sharp.

• Get creative with manual shifter angles for visual interest.

• Highlight contrasting textures – like leather against metal trim or carbon fiber accents.

• Midday lighting illuminates well if you watch for reflections. A tripod keeps low-light shots stable.

• Use a lens polarizer to reduce glare on screens and windows.

• Don’t overlook rear views or intricate wheel/dash design elements – they all tell the car’s story.

• Strikingly capture things like infotainment systems or mood lighting if they’re a signature feature.

Angles that Evoke Emotion and Tell a Story

Like we talked about before with dynamic driving shots and showing off a car’s design details, every angle has the potential to stir up specific feelings or narratives. The goal isn’t just to show the car, but also to convey a sense of story. Here are a few techniques you can try:

• Doing distant shots where the car interacts subtly with its surroundings, hinting at adventure or exploration.

• Picking an angle that dramatizes the weather, like a car facing an incoming storm, to give vibes of power and endurance.

• Shooting straight at eye level to create a direct personal connection between the viewer and the car, so they can picture themselves behind the wheel.

• The bird’s-eye view lends a sense of dominance or overview, sometimes highlighting a car’s symmetry or unique shape against the ground or landscape. For this one, you might need a drone or find a high vantage like a bridge or tall building.

• Side or profile shots often imply speed and elegance, especially for sleek sports cars. The key is aligning the car so the lines flow smoothly, playing up its design.

• Close-ups focused on the brand emblem can give an iconic feeling to the image, representing the car’s legacy.

• Using natural framing from things like tree branches or archways to enclose the car in the shot draws your eyes where you want them.

• For powerful rear or tail shots, emphasize evocative lighting, like a taillight glow at dusk, to instill a sense of mystery or intrigue as the car pulls away.

Color Grading and Post-Processing Tips to Polish up Your Work

No photograph is truly complete without some level of post-processing. Color grading is key to creating the mood you’re after, whether that’s a warm, inviting sunset cruise or a cold, hardcore track day. Here are our final tips:

• It’s a good idea to play around with different presets in Lightroom or Photoshop first before making the images your own. 

• The colors you pick should match the car’s personality – cool tones suit sporty rides well, while warmer hues really make classic cars shine.

• Be very careful not to over-saturate the colors, subtle effects usually look better and more professional. 

• Use local adjustments to selectively brighten or darken just certain areas, like the headlights or tires, to add contrast and focus where needed.

• Add vignetting just a tiny bit to make the main subject stand out without going too far with the “tunnel vision” effect. 

• Sharpen carefully as well – you want to see textures but not introduce any weird artifacts.

• Think about telling a story when applying effects like adding grain for a vintage look or motion blurs to imply speed. 

• Radial blurs around the wheels can enhance action shots if done tastefully.

• Always check the histogram to ensure you have the exposure right – blown-out highlights can be tough to fix later. 

• Shadows you lift slightly may uncover cool details or set a nice mood.

• For photo sets, be consistent with color grading so the narrative flows. 

• Step back periodically to scrutinize the full picture – in editing, less is often more.

• When possible, work on layers to test adjustments without destroying the original.

• Think about the car’s context and the story you are aiming to tell when choosing your edits; make sure every change serves this story.

Wrapping It Up

Photography is about both technical skills and being an artist with your vision and perspective. Your style will change as you try new things with different cars, locations, and methods. 

Keep challenging yourself creatively and learn from each shoot. And apart from the car photography tips we shared, always respect where you’re photographing and get permission if needed. Leave places as you found them.

Connect with others in automotive photography, too. Getting input from others and sharing your work can offer great feedback to improve further. Most importantly, remember not to lose sight of why you started taking car photos in the first place.