I've been inspired lately to take photos of cars, which I know nothing about.



Today I got a ring flash and this was my test drive (badum, tish). I'm not happy with how dark the background is, but I think I'll try again when I get my optical flash trigger.

[robgski]

Interesting Idea, I suggest a diffuser so the chrome highlights reflecting the flash don't overwhelm the paint job

[Lowell Goudge]

I've been inspired lately to take photos of cars, which I know nothing about.



Today I got a ring flash and this was my test drive (badum, tish). I'm not happy with how dark the background is, but I think I'll try again when I get my optical flash trigger.

Regarding the background, flash shots will always underexposed the background because the light falls off at the square of the distance.

Unless you artificially light the background with floods, or use indirect lighting (bounce flash) to light the background to nearly the same illumination level as the foreground, it will always be darker. But indirect lighting defeats the purpose of getting a ring flash

Edit note. One other option is a salve flash set to auto mode on the background. Use the ring light to light the subject directly and the slave to light the background

[whk1992]

Regarding the background, flash shots will always underexposed the background because the light falls off at the square of the distance.

Unless you artificially light the background with floods, or use indirect lighting (bounce flash) to light the background to nearly the same illumination level as the foreground, it will always be darker. But indirect lighting defeats the purpose of getting a ring flash

Edit note. One other option is a salve flash set to auto mode on the background. Use the ring light to light the subject directly and the slave to light the background

For small objects like toy cars, placing a LED keychain behind the objects to light up the background might work. (color temperature of LED can be problematic, though.)

[jadedrakerider]

Interesting Idea, I suggest a diffuser so the chrome highlights reflecting the flash don't overwhelm the paint job

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to try to Jerry-Rig a diffuser for my ring flash. I just had an idea on how to do it.

For small objects like toy cars, placing a LED keychain behind the objects to light up the background might work. (color temperature of LED can be problematic, though.)

I think I'm going to try again with a different car and different color background. I think a dark red background and a green car would look much better.

Regarding the background, flash shots will always underexposed the background because the light falls off at the square of the distance.

...

Edit note. One other option is a salve flash set to auto mode on the background. Use the ring light to light the subject directly and the slave to light the background

Yeah, I ordered and optical flash trigger on eBay and I'm just waiting for it to come in the mail.