Will be photoing my first classic car show this weekend.

[Rocknation]

Any advice?


Rocknation

[MichMan]

1. Shoot from down low if possible.

Also capture interesting details close up.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Sounds like a good time, my dear Rocknation!

Probably a good idea to take a spare fully charged battery! Also, make sure the battery in your camera is also fully charged.

An empty memory card too, is good.

As for taking the photos? Photograph the cars or their parts that catch your eye. We always like new points of view! I would try to vary what I shoot. Different parts or some distinguishing features. Here's an example of one I took a couple of years ago:



Have a wonderful time!

Hope you'll post them here!

[usonian]

3. There's a lot to learn in a short time.

Make it a learning opportunity. Quick search turned up this article. Seems to cover the bases.

https://getvintagevehicles.com/vintage-car-photography-tips/

Lighting and camera angle are two big concerns. Indoor? Outdoor? Either way, you will need to position creatively and practically. Oh, reflections. A polarizing filter might be needed. Check shots for annoying reflections. You probably won't be able to modify lighting ( block reflections).

Composition varies with indoor/outdoor and you might have to be creative with focal length to get just the one car. Or be good at editing.

Depth of field. You want it or you don't. Wide lenses have lots of depth of field, so selective focus will require a fast lens.

Just some general ideas.

[MichMan]

4. A few comments on my experiences when trying to shoot pictures at car shows

Ranting from an old man

1) It can get frustrating when trying to get a shot of a car without people getting in the picture. Not anyone's fault, but just when you are ready to take the shot, someone will walk right in front of you.

2) Car owners sitting right next to their cars in lawn chairs the entire day is a pet peeve. They seemingly have zero interest in anyone else's car other than theirs and get in the way of a good picture.

On the other side of the coin, talk to the owners and you possibly may get a good background story. I love hearing about cars that have been in the family for generations.

3) Too many hoods open. If you have a very exotic or unusual engine it is one thing, but most are not. Ruins a good picture of the lines of the car. Most owners will close the hood if you ask.

4) Too many props I personally find a little over the top. Models of the car sitting all over the engine, stuffed animals everywhere etc. I once saw a Corvette that must have had 30 skulls and skeletons plastered everywhere which bordered on ridiculous.

5) Concentrate on cars you like. I find the unusual models much more appealing than the common popular cars. I'll walk right on by 1957 Chevrolets to look at something a less common.

6) Be cognizant of the sun. You don't want your own shadow getting in the way. Pictures at high noon are also not the best either.

7) If shooting close up details like hood ornaments, you would prefer a shallow depth of field (large aperture) to get a good background with bokeh. For shooting an entire car, you want the opposite

[calikid]

5. I've done a few

Go through the posts above this post, most of them have great points.
You can do a lot with sugar, many owners would gladly lower the hood or move for a copy of the shot . think about coming back later to a shot for different lighting.
Enjoy the day!
Post shots please

[HAB911]

6. Take a look at one I did in 1990

at the very least get an idea of what not to do, lol

https://jamesdevore.smugmug.com/PHOTOS-BACK-TO-THE-1960S/CAR-SHOW-IN-KODACHROME-CIRCA-1991

[Rocknation]

7. Thanks to you all!

Since I was shooting rock bands when I wasn't shooting cars, I had to keep fluctuating between shutter and aperture priority modes and reminding myself that the car wasn't going to move LOL

[Grumpy Old Guy]

8. A wide angle lens comes in handy.

I recommend a 28mm, 24mm or even an ultrawide around 10-15mm. Get close to the car for added effect. Stop down to f/8 or f/11 for maximun depth of field.