Amateur photography is a fickle hobby. It can become almost second nature to whip out your phone and snap a picture of the nearest low-slung exotic, only to never look or even think about that picture once its up on social media. There's usually a fork in the road most people reach where they decide to take the plunge and invest in more capable hardware, or simply continue to work with what they've got. Not to say that using a phone is a negative. Modern phones have cameras that make well composed and reputable photography easily accessible to nearly everyone. However, there is a lot to be said about trying to actually create an image that has an impact. Composition, lighting and editing make up the bulk of an image's story.
I've been taking my photography seriously for around a year now, so I can consider myself a fully-fledged amateur. The great thing about the car community - specifically the car community on social media - is that it follows the mantra, "hey, there's always room for one more!" As I've delved deeper and deeper into the photography rabbit hole I've discovered the art in creating an image. Making an image say something about the subject is the next level of progression for all aspiring photographers. Whether my images are able to demonstrate this transition, I leave to my peers on Instagram.
With all that said, we can move on to the main topic of this article, how shooting in the rain can prove itself as more of a tool and less of a hindrance. Photography is an art of self expression but sometimes you have to let the subject do some of the talking. I would like to make it clear that I was very cold during my stint in the wet. So just be aware that I've made these sacrifices for you, you're welcome.
My tour of local dealerships around the South Shore of Massachusetts brought me to Herb Chambers in Wayland. The dealership sits right off the main road with a new Land Rover/Jaguar dealer under construction next door. The main lot is full of Maserati's, Alfa's, Bentley's and the occasional Mercedes or Porsche as part of their main fleet. Already off to a good start. But most the real prizes are sitting comfortably in the main showrooms, tucked away from the New England winter. Convertible Bentley's with their tops down - ohh the scandal - and Lamborghini's take up most of the showroom. Already a fantastic stock to work with. I get to work shooting my fill in the showroom but I get an itch to head back out into the wet. A few other Huracans and Huracan Evos as well as a while Aventador are sequestered outside.
It had been raining on and off that day but it has settled down by the time I made it to the dealership. So I was slightly worried most of the rain would have dried up. Luckily enough for me, each car had its own coating of glistening droplets still clinging to their curvaceous hips. This would be my first time properly shooting in the wet with exotic cars. Each drop only helped to accentuate outlines and curvatures along each car. As a bonus the overcast acted as a natural filter.
I wormed my way through each car, careful to not scrape the paint and risk a repair bill work more than the car I drove there. Fading between pure obsession over each detail with a photographer's eye and an enthusiast's eye was fairly difficult. I would have stayed there all day had I not been slowly getting soaked through as time went on.
Its hard to not enjoy your time with low, wedgey supercars. They exude personality and character even sitting still. Its also very easy to get lost in the "supercar photographer" mentality, using them for easy likes on Instagram. Classic cars can be much more charming and endearing thanks to the stories they collect over their lives. But what enthusiast can really say no to a bunch of Lamborghinis sitting in the rain, just asking to be gawked at and drooled over? Thankfully Lamborghini Boston didn't mind, each car was soaked anyway.
As I've grown as a photographer and my abilities improve, I won't need the help of mother nature to get the perfect shot. Getting the perfect angle will come more naturally and details will shout out more aggressively to be ogled over. For the time being, as I learn to be an artist, I'll take a little bit of rain to help me make a point and better communicate that the subject would like to say.
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Comments (6)
Nice pics.
Thank you very much!
Congratulations man!! I am trying to get into car photography, and actually am entering a photo shoot in an arts fair with my friends vw cabriolet. Have any tips?
Take as many pictures to practice for sure. Lighting and composition are huge for getting good shots. Be creative with everything and incorporate the environment too. Have fun shooting your cabriolet, great car to shoot!
Thank you!
Personally I think it’s easy to shoot a car. Pretty big target should be able to just pull the trigger.