Model: Amber Car: Cadillac CTS setup: f/5.6 ISO 200 1/200th strobist: SB-800 @ 1/2 power to frame left, SB-600 @ 1/2 power to frame center-right
I returned to the Tampa Convention Center for another commercial car photography shoot, this time though, with the added bonus of having a great model, Amber (her website). I was really excited about this project when contacted by the client and am very pleased with the resulting photographs. I have photographed cars before, and models too, but never a car & model together, thus the extra enthusiasm for this particular Tampa shoot.
I used my typical two speedlight strobist setup for all the shots. I mostly used the setting sun as a third, backlight source (see highlights on Amber's hair). To setup the shots I first directed the client where and how to park his Cadillac CTS. Then I showed Amber what type of pose I would like for the shot. Next I setup my speedlights around her. After this much setup the shooting part is easy, especially since Amber did her job very well. All this allowed me to put into a photograph what I first envisioned in my mind.
Model: Amber Car: Cadillac CTS setup: f/9 ISO 200 1/200th strobist: SB-800 @ 1/2 power to frame left SB-600 at 1/2 power to frame back-rightI do not normally use my speedlights at 1/2 power, which is a lot, but the sun was really strong so using 1/2 power created the amount of fill light I wanted. I also purposefully tried to create some lens flare in shots, as seen in the above photo. I also wanted to make sure to leave some color in the sky and not have it just washed out white. The Tampa Convention Center can be seen in the background.
Model: Amber Car: Cadillac CTS setup: f/8 ISO 200 1/200th Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/4 power to frame left SB-600 @ 1/4 power to frame rightI really like Amber's pose in the above shot. It was not easy for her to do so either while balancing on the front fender of the Cadillac CTS. I set my speedlights to only 1/4 power this time because I did not have to over power the sun to light Amber how I wanted to. Thanks again to the client and Amber for a very smooth, very effortless car & model shoot.