Lighting Interiors - AutoPhotog : Photo Enthusiasts/Pros Forum

Black_Dog · 12-15-2009, 11:06 AM

Shooting the interior of a car has got to be the hardest shots to make. There's limited room to work in, hundreds of reflective surfaces that can catch unwanted reflections, colors that amplify when lighted, dark fabrics that swallow light and deep dark recesses. I'm curious to know what each of you do for lighting interior shots so that they don't look like this:

So far I have had my best luck by turning the windshield into a giant soft box by laying a $5 WalMart white bed sheet over it like this

... and then crop the windshield out of the photo like so.

Still, I know there have got to be better ways. Ideas?

Anyone?

Anyone????

J.Wolfe Productions · 12-15-2009, 11:28 AM

Well If you invest in some off flashes this will help huge...I usually do 2 off flashes with 2 soft umbrellas. This will then spread the light and wont be so harsh on your interior shots. Place them just outside each door. Its a must if you want to get into this sort of thing.
Here:

Pm me if you have any questions

Im here to help

BillLee · 12-15-2009, 12:35 PM

i usually use the lighting in the car itself(in a dark garage), i think it comes out okay. never tried flashes yet.

**UdubBadger** · 12-15-2009, 03:01 PM

not bad bill, might look better if your clone/crop out the actual lights though. 3rd one looks the best to me

BandyDesign · 12-17-2009, 10:14 AM

I tend to use strobes and a wide angle lens for my interior shots.

I set up one strobe bare bulb at the corner of each door window(with the doors closed)

This allows me to maintain the exposure outside of the windows as well as the exposure of the interior like such:

OR completely overpower everything and just catch the highlights and the shapes of the interior like so:

(These shots were not edited other than saturation)

12-15-2009, 11:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Black_Dog PhotoN00B Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6	Lighting Interiors Shooting the interior of a car has got to be the hardest shots to make. There's limited room to work in, hundreds of reflective surfaces that can catch unwanted reflections, colors that amplify when lighted, dark fabrics that swallow light and deep dark recesses. I'm curious to know what each of you do for lighting interior shots so that they don't look like this: So far I have had my best luck by turning the windshield into a giant soft box by laying a $5 WalMart white bed sheet over it like this ... and then crop the windshield out of the photo like so. Still, I know there have got to be better ways. Ideas? Anyone? Anyone???? __________________ http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

12-15-2009, 12:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
BillLee PhotoFreak Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Shoots With: Nikon D90 Flickr: b.by Posts: 303	i usually use the lighting in the car itself(in a dark garage), i think it comes out okay. never tried flashes yet. __________________ Flickr

12-15-2009, 03:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
UdubBadger PostWhoringMod Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: From Chicago, missing Madison, WI Shoots With: Canon Flickr: AltOnePhoto Posts: 964	not bad bill, might look better if your clone/crop out the actual lights though. 3rd one looks the best to me __________________ Apple/BMW/Canon snob

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12-15-2009, 11:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
J.Wolfe Productions PhotoN00B Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boise Idaho Shoots With: Nikon D80 W/ Grip, 70-200 2.8, 50mm, Flash Set up Posts: 23	Well If you invest in some off flashes this will help huge...I usually do 2 off flashes with 2 soft umbrellas. This will then spread the light and wont be so harsh on your interior shots. Place them just outside each door. Its a must if you want to get into this sort of thing. Here: Pm me if you have any questions Im here to help

12-17-2009, 10:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
BandyDesign PhotoFreak Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Shoots With: D90\|11-16 2.8\|35 1.8\|50 1.8\|70-300\|bees! Posts: 150	I tend to use strobes and a wide angle lens for my interior shots. I set up one strobe bare bulb at the corner of each door window(with the doors closed) This allows me to maintain the exposure outside of the windows as well as the exposure of the interior like such: OR completely overpower everything and just catch the highlights and the shapes of the interior like so: (These shots were not edited other than saturation)