Originally posted by M_D_K My question would be: would it be rude to ask the owner to shut the hood and doors for a photo? Is there a good reason they leave them open?
I go for photo outings to a number of classic car shows and weekly 'cruise nights' in Ottawa and around the Ottawa valley. While I think that I've improved my photo skills at these events, I still find several challenges -- open hoods, dash plaques and identification signs on the windshield, and lawn chairs and coolers. There's also the usual challenge of trying to minimize spectators in the images.
I find that owners like to show off several aspects of their vehicles, such as customization, paint jobs, chrome work, upholstery, and engines. Engines are especially important if they are of uncommon displacement for that model or if there has been some custom work on radiators, air filter system, etc. Small details are really important to some owners; even reinforced hoses and weld joints can be a point of pride. Of course, original parts and installations are also key at these shows.
On occasion, I will strike up a casual conversation with the owner, let him/her know that I'm just a hobbyist photographer who also likes cars. I may show them a couple of images that I've taken of their vehicle or compliment them on a detail of two. I might politely ask if they wouldn't mind closing the hood or removing the ID card for a few minutes so that I could take a full 3/4 view of their very nice car. So far, everyone has seemed quite pleased to accommodate. I think the key is to engage the owner and talk a bit about the car and their experience with it.
On the other hand, I don't find that open hoods are overly distracting in some of my images, especially if I've grabbed some shots of the front of the car and its engine.
I find that arriving slightly earlier than opening time can help -- the place is not too busy yet, many of the cars are already there, and many hoods might still be closed. And the natural light tends to be better earlier in the morning. Work quickly to get the pictures before the crowd arrives!
- Craig
Last edited by c.a.m; 11-14-2019 at 11:52 AM.