[stevebrot]

I kind of like those gleaming engines so I'm likely to ask them to open the hood!

Rare is the beautiful engine compartment that is not open for display. For me, the allure of most car shows is not the full-car portrait opportunities; instead, it is the amazingly graceful details present in so many of the classic makes/models along with the unusual angles one might explore since the cars are going to stay where they are for awhile.


Yellow Allard


Pentax K10D, Pentax DA 18-55/3.5-5.6 AL (v1)


Steve

[UncleVanya]

Here the hood closed allowed me to concentrate on the iconic shape but use fisheye to emphasize it.


Generated from my Motorola o using tools.sportscard.trade

And a selfie...

[aslyfox]

here's a wide angle

K 3 II + Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM

[M_D_K]

I actually use ultrawide or fisheye for most. I can't find an example right now.

Generated from my Motorola o using tools.sportscard.trade

Cool idea. I have a manual 8mm fisheye I need to try.

[redmenace]

Car shows are just not ideal locations to properly photograph a lovely vintage car. The cars are crowded too close together, the lighting is not that great, there's all sorts of people wandering around in the background etc etc.

In general I would tend to agree, but I'd also argue that there are still great pictures to be had -- with the understanding that they're more apt to be candids than portraits.

[Fenwoodian]

.
Tough to get whole car photos without distracting reflections and people at car shows.

That's why I only take fast, close-focusing telephoto lenses to car shows. Get close and shoot with wide apertures to blur the backgrounds.

The below photo was taken with Pentax K-1 and an 105mm f/2 Laowa "Smooth Trans Focus" (STF) lens.

[c.a.m]

It's possible to concentrate on details or sections of a car, such as in this image of a Chev Bel Air, showing one of its characteristic fins. The hood is down!


Chev Bel Air - 2 - Pentax User Photo Gallery

[c.a.m]

For me, the allure of most car shows is not the full-car portrait opportunities; instead, it is the amazingly graceful details present in so many of the classic makes/models along with the unusual angles one might explore since the cars are going to stay where they are for awhile.

Well said!

[Silent Street]

Engines maketh the car.
The rest is brightly polished paintwork and chrome. Look, but don't touch.
I photographed MGs in the 1990s for the car club that was located near me then. The owners were parochial and loathed anything being touched, especially the chrome and deep red paint. I don't think that has changed at this point.

[robgski]

instead, it is the amazingly graceful details present in so many of the classic makes/models

I agree 100%.

Don't forget there is a Car Loving Pentaxians group, as we as a thread for hood ornaments and other details

[stevebrot]

Cool idea. I have a manual 8mm fisheye I need to try.

Fisheyes and cars are made for each other.


The Fins Are The Thing
(Quadruple self-portrait)


Pentax K10D, KMZ MC Zenitar 16/2.8 Fisheye


Steve

[reh321]

Ah! and good luck avoiding people in your pictures

but people are interesting, especially people with cameras in their hands!

[dbs]

And don't forget not too knock over the pedestrians whilst getting your shot.........whoops

[Autonerd]

I think it's acceptable to ask, "Your car's beautiful, I'd really like to take a picture, would you mind closing the hood?" and if they say no, an equally polite thank-you will do. I think most car owners would be flattered that you want a pic of their car.

[clickclick]

but don't touch the vehicle if you lean in close

This. And not only don't ever ever touch, but also be really sure that nothing dangles, swings into, or otherwise somehow makes contact. And it's not without basis. Thin aluminum skins (common on many vintage hoods and trunk lids) and concourse paint can be damaged more easily than one might imagine.