Big Merc shoot!

[snaarman]

My drinking buddy has reluctantly decided to sell his monster sports car, so I offered to do some for-sale pictures to help with the painful process:

We took it up onto the downs in search of an open area with lots of sky late in the day, because that always seems to give the best look. Here are my attempts:

This is the standard three quarters front shot done with a long lens, which always shows off a car to best effect.



Then I had a go at a closer wider rear three quarters shot. Nice reflections but not as good.



I also tried an arty into the sun shot. This required several bracketed exposures.



The monster for sale is a fully loaded SL500: 320Bhp V8 quad cam 5 litre beast of a thing Yes, I did drive it. Yes, it is that fast.

Pete

[CaptainD]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

Nice work Pete, you could make some money doing car shots!

Cheers

Chris

[snaarman]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

Nice work Pete, you could make some money doing car shots!

Cheers

Chris

Well, its a thought: Particularly if I get to drive what I photograph

P

[E-3]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

Yes, these old sl`s were really nice cars, just a shame you could only get the 500 with a 4 speed automatic box

[Zuiko]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

Great shots, Pete, almost makes me want to buy it!

[snaarman]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

Yes, these old sl`s were really nice cars, just a shame you could only get the 500 with a 4 speed automatic box

Yes they were all autos, but this one is the 5 speed auto. I did have the manual hold option demonstrated to me, you can force 1st and 2nd gear on the lever and make the changes your self. These two gears alone will get you to 80mph...

[StephenL]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

Thought you were after a new motor???

Love the third shot especially - very arty.

[snaarman]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

Thought you were after a new motor???

Love the third shot especially - very arty.

Mmm. Tempted. I know this car and its a good'un. (They cost when new in 1997!!) However I couldn't even justify an MX5 or fit it on the drive, so quite what the wife would say...

I think there are tricks with car photography: Everyone but everyone uses long telephoto shots in their brochures because it makes the car look more purposeful. Next, I think the reflections in the paintwork are important, so if you can get the car somewhere high and flat so you have 180 degrees of sky it makes it look better. Finally I tried to minimise the distractions. We should have parked further away from the hedge I guess.

Also, if we had more time I would have hung on a bit so the sun was lower and taken some more with the car lights on.

Its all trickery and technique isn't it

Pete

[wanderer]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

I remember reading somewhere some while ago that the reflections were the secret to car pictures to emphasize the body shape.
I like No.1 but wonder if turning the front wheels to show off the fat tyres might make a difference.
And perhaps cloning out the signpost reflected in the rear wheel arch.
2 photographers for the price of one in No.3 That rear wheel arch again.

Duncan

[snaarman]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

I remember reading somewhere some while ago that the reflections were the secret to car pictures to emphasize the body shape.
I like No.1 but wonder if turning the front wheels to show off the fat tyres might make a difference.
And perhaps cloning out the signpost reflected in the rear wheel arch.
2 photographers for the price of one in No.3 That rear wheel arch again.

Duncan

Yes, well said. I spotted the sign post but not the twin photographers
they are probably cloneable with some care. If he keeps it I might do him an A3 print...
Pete

[benvendetta]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

Like no.1 and sort of agree about the inward facing front wheels. But you would then only be able to see the rear alloy wheel. Would be nice to see both versions, if you have them.

[E-3]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

If he keeps it I might do him an A3 print

I thought you were doing the photos as he wnted to sell it, & now he has seen your photos he has decided to keep it! ..................................I don`t want you to come & take pictures of a certain car I must sell, as I MUST sell it!

[snaarman]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

I thought you were doing the photos as he wnted to sell it, & now he has seen your photos he has decided to keep it! ..................................I don`t want you to come & take pictures of a certain car I must sell, as I MUST sell it!

He he he.. Its all part of the service

PS. This certain car.. Would that be the one with the engine at the back? ;-)

[E-3]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

PS. This certain car.. Would that be the one with the engine at the back? ;-)

Yes thats the one! I bought it new in 2007 for the price of a house & since then its lost the value of a studio flat

[Jim Ford]

Re: Big Merc shoot!

He he he.. Its all part of the service

PS. This certain car.. Would that be the one with the engine at the back? ;-)

What, a Skoda Estelle?
;^)

Jim