So you've all inspired me to finally learn how to use all the cool stuff on my camera (Canon PowerShot A75 - not the best, but pretty darn good). Drove down to Alligator Point on the Gulf of Mexico today and shot these. I'd love any input (seriously, good or bad), but keep in mind my camera only does so much.















And here are some that my friend shot as well:







And just to give you an idea of how windy it was out there today:



Thanks in advance!

 

I like the shadow shot

 

You've got some great locations there. There are lots of possibilities with that place you shot #1, #2, and #3. I especially like #3. I think a tighter crop, without those wooden posts on either side, would make #3 look even better. Or maybe even a vertical crop without that post right in front of the car. Looks like you could move the car around a bit, too, and play with all sorts of things. That reflection off the door of that white building is a bit of a problem, though.

The beach shots are nice. Maybe plan a return when the light is less harsh? Oh, make sure both sun visors are up and take that blue thing off the dash.

Good job!

(I see you're yet another physics MINI person, too!)

Mark

 

Cool shots, neat locations, I especially like the Shadow photo and #3, with the rocks.

 

A couple of quick edits from me

1.

2.

 

Scooby, I love those! I have got to learn how to do that! Thanks!

MarkS, That first location was tricky. You can't really see it, but the thing behind the car in #3 was about an inch from my door, so moving around in there would have required an 83-point turn and a driver more skilled than myself. I was kicking myself afterward for forgetting the sun visor, but seeing as how yesterday was more about learning to use my camera (adjusting exposure, aperture, white balance, etc), and not so much about the car, I guess it doesn't matter too much.

Thanks for the comments so far!

 

Here's an edit that my friend did (same one that took those last four pictures):

 

Yeah, sounds like moving the car around wouldn't be nearly as easy as it looks. You're right, you can't tell from the picture.

It's really easy to forget things like sun visors, picking stones out of tire treads, etc. It's always amazing how hard it is to see things like that when you're shooting and how easy it is to see them in the pictures.

Anyway, very nice work. I look forward to seeing more from you.

Mark

 

I like #3 and the shadow picture the best

 

VERY nice! Great car too! ...been thinking about getting one.....:P

 

thats hott!!

 

have to agree on that one

 

#4, #6 & #7 are probably your strongest, in terms of composition. The exposure on #7 can use an adjustment. Overall, great shots! Keep them coming. I think 7 is my fav...

Thanks for sharing

 

Me likey. I need some shots like that of my car. Cute girl, too. Wheeee!

 

Nice photos! I really didn't expect that much quality from the A75 (i bought my friend the a540 just yesterday!). But how can you not* take a good photo of a MINI?! Good suggestions coming from the forum, too! here's one i learned the hard way:

if you're anything like me, you'll soon discover you have several 100 photos of your car. you will want to backup your photos (on CD, etc) on a regular basis so they dont fill up your hard drive *or* get lost when a virus trashes your computer and you have to reformat it. you will also want to archive them in an easily searchable format. since i don't feel like renaming 200-300 photos, when i do a "shoot", i make a folder with the date on it and drop them all in. a couple folders may fit on one CD, and then i label that CD accordingly.

you might have a different approach- you might decide to name your folders, "beach shots", "at the park", "grandma's", etc. any way will do- as long as it is in a way that 6 months from now when you have a need/opportunity to find/print/email/showoff your photos, you will be able to know what you're looking at before you look at it.

hope that helps. if it matters, last i checked i have about 2000 photos of my OWN car! (counting the crappy ones)

 

Good advice with the labeling, I have a folder for just justs of the MINI and each day has its own folder, easy to find any of my 4700+ photos.

 

Thanks for the tips, I keep telling myself to backup all my stuff, and I keep putting it off. Unfortunately I haven't been out shooting again since then, but hopefully this summer I can build up a bigger portfolio.

Thanks again everyone!

 

great pic, love the idea.

considering purchasing a digital reflex (Canon 350D, 30D) for quite some time now.

 

It wasn't so much of an idea. My copilot looked over and noticed it, and shot the picture. It just happened to be perfect! Don't you just love when those things happen?

 

I def like the last pic anyway, good shots! I especially like the shadow picture, was that taken by yourself while driving? either way, I like 'em all. good job