Critiques requested for car sale images

Hi All - Instead of continuing the long "Must I edit RAW images? " thread I started, Here's a new one where I was hoping to get some critique / guidance on the editing / processing of the images I need for my upcoming car auction listing.

If you read the other thread, you'll see the car I'm selling is red: I have the red one I'm selling and this silver one I'm keeping. I had the silver out for a drive Sunday and decided to use it for some more practice shots. I used exposure bracketing, tripod, remote shutter release, circular polarizer and a lens hood. Would you please let me know your thoughts on my edits, if there's anything you'd do differently, what you would change to take it from less-than-great to fantastic, etc keeping in mind the purpose being for-sale images; in other words I'm not super creative, artistic images would be the best idea ... or maybe they would!


JPEG image saved from the original RAW image using PS, no edits (didn't even blur the license plate ), no crop, just loaded the RAW in PS and saved-as JPEG at Quality 12 "Maximum".


For this edit, I actually started with the JPEG out of my 70D rather than the RAW, cropped, reduced size, sharpened, spot-healed, slight contrast/brightness.

I tried using 2 different exposures, layered, and the process of applying different exposures to different areas went fine, but I ended up thinking the exposure of this single image already looked good for the car, but I 'think' I actually used a different exposure for the background. I tried enough variations that I can't remember now! Once I have a better feel for the settings, I'll make good notes so I can be consistent from image to image. Do you agree that the car's exposure looks OK on this? How about the fore- and background?

Again the goal is for fantastic looking images that also allow buyers to see everything; there's nothing to hide on either car, so no shenanigans needed not that I would do that anyway as I wouldn't want a buyer claiming I failed to disclose something.

Thank you ...

Edit: Oops! In both of those images I 'thought' I was using the same image, just one being the RAW and the other being the JPEG, both named IMG_1477, but I see that the 1st is shown as 1/400 and the 2nd as 1/640 ... and it turns out I did blend 2 exposures and in the edit: Image 1477 (1/400) and image 1478 (1/640).

I'll suggest an experiment- try raising the shadows various amounts and see if there is any improvement. The lower side of the car looks a bit dark to me, but then I do a small amount of raising of shadows on almost all of my photos.

Love the personalized license plate number (actually no numbers -- all letters).

If you haven't scanned Bring a Trailer or PCARMARKET for examples of good (and bad) images, I recommend you do so.

Don't blow out the highlights on the chrome/white paint.

Be careful so that your flash doesn't blow out reflective surfaces, especially inside the car.

Have your pix be in sharp focus. I've seen too many out of focus/camera-shake pix.

Get a color card like:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...rite_ccpp2_colorchecker_passport_photo_2.html

and use it in some pix of the body/interior/etc. Actually have the card in the pic. I have seen way too many pix of dark colored cars that I can't tell what color they are even after reading the description. Color reproduction on the net is tricky because you don't know what kind of equipment everyone is using, but having the color card in the pic at least gives a reference to potential viewers/purchasers.

Find/use a bland uniform background when taking pix of the whole car. Don't have anything to distract the viewer from looking at the car (like the bare feet, and worse, that show up in some of those ebay ads).

And please detail the car before you take the pictures!

I've been looking for a new-to-me sports cars, and the above are some of my issues with what I've seen. Nice GT40! Alas, I don't think I could fit in it. And even if I could, I don't think I could get up out of it once I got in.

extrapolator said:

Hi All - Instead of continuing the long "Must I edit RAW images? " thread I started, Here's a new one where I was hoping to get some critique / guidance on the editing / processing of the images I need for my upcoming car auction listing.

If you read the other thread, you'll see the car I'm selling is red: I have the red one I'm selling and this silver one I'm keeping. I had the silver out for a drive Sunday and decided to use it for some more practice shots. I used exposure bracketing, tripod, remote shutter release, circular polarizer and a lens hood. Would you please let me know your thoughts on my edits, if there's anything you'd do differently, what you would change to take it from less-than-great to fantastic, etc keeping in mind the purpose being for-sale images; in other words I'm not super creative, artistic images would be the best idea ... or maybe they would!


JPEG image saved from the original RAW image using PS, no edits (didn't even blur the license plate ), no crop, just loaded the RAW in PS and saved-as JPEG at Quality 12 "Maximum".


For this edit, I actually started with the JPEG out of my 70D rather than the RAW, cropped, reduced size, sharpened, spot-healed, slight contrast/brightness.

I tried using 2 different exposures, layered, and the process of applying different exposures to different areas went fine, but I ended up thinking the exposure of this single image already looked good for the car, but I 'think' I actually used a different exposure for the background. I tried enough variations that I can't remember now! Once I have a better feel for the settings, I'll make good notes so I can be consistent from image to image. Do you agree that the car's exposure looks OK on this? How about the fore- and background?

Again the goal is for fantastic looking images that also allow buyers to see everything; there's nothing to hide on either car, so no shenanigans needed not that I would do that anyway as I wouldn't want a buyer claiming I failed to disclose something.

Thank you ...

Edit: Oops! In both of those images I 'thought' I was using the same image, just one being the RAW and the other being the JPEG, both named IMG_1477, but I see that the 1st is shown as 1/400 and the 2nd as 1/640 ... and it turns out I did blend 2 exposures and in the edit: Image 1477 (1/400) and image 1478 (1/640).

Click to expand...

I know that you are posting these images as part of an exercise, but you would be much better off with a more attractive setting for the car, rather than with the shadowy background and a dull corner of the house. I’ve used an open woodland as a background, or maybe I’ll park the car in the drive of an up-market house.







To answer your original question, I mostly use JPEG, except where there’s a difficult scene. Note that the JPEG options of many cameras allow for user preferences, and usually include some degree of “sharpening”. Worth checking the in-camera options.

BTW, great car.

Maybe it’s the “Color Option” in force, but I’m turning green myself! :-D

Beautiful car!

My observations and comments are mostly in the area of creative options to consider. They're based on the guiding principal that anything in a photo that doesn't contribute to the story of the image or subject, is a distraction to be eliminated.

First, I wouldn't photograph the car in front of your house. It's not a setting that focuses the viewer's attention on the car and it's most attractive attributes. You want the viewer's gaze immediately drawn to the car. The setting should contribute to the vehicle's story or, at worst, be brutal.

Is there a track or road course in the area where you could make the photos? A dark asphalt road surface will set off the car better than a light gray concrete surface. Positioning the car on a bank, in a turn - especially an undulating curve on a road course - would add a dynamic setting that contributes to communicating the personality of the vehicle.

I'd also wait for a cloudy day when the sky will act like a giant soft box. Soft even lighting will lighten shadows, even out the illumination, and avoid overblown highlights. It's a quality of light that will showcase the beauty and elegance of the vehicle.

By choosing a better location and better quality light, you can call attention to two of the most important qualities that will attract buyers... its power & speed and the car's beauty.

Good luck with the sale.

I am on Bring a Trailer often, I second the suggestion to look on this site for excellent examples. If you are selling on your own, find a simple setting as others suggested, avoid shadow, sun glare, etc. If you are a serious seller and want top dollar hire a professional. I know on sites like BaT where the buyers almost only have access to the car via photos and Q&A with the seller, top photos can enhance the sale by tens of thousands. Best of luck.

Better background.

Better angle. Rear 3/4 is usually one of the best, but not this one.

The gt40 orig and somewhat this, needs the front 3/4 too.

Low and medium height.

Background color?

Red car different than for silver?

Two gt40?

More later

Overall pressing too much. They want the car. So why the prig.....

I know that this is a photography site, but you're selling a car, not an image of a car. The cropped photo is perfectly appropriate to present the vehicle. Anyone interested in it who finds the price appropriate will be as likely to follow up on it from that photo as from a shot made by a seasoned professional photographer. Or so ISTM.

bjn70 said:

I'll suggest an experiment- try raising the shadows various amounts and see if there is any improvement. The lower side of the car looks a bit dark to me, but then I do a small amount of raising of shadows on almost all of my photos.

Click to expand...

OK sure, I will def try raising the shadows, ASAP. Thanks.

Doug Haag said:

Love the personalized license plate number (actually no numbers -- all letters).

Click to expand...

:-D Thanks! I debated a bunch of possibilities, and partly decided on that one because in stock form the car is not identified on the rear, and many people don't know what it is. Of course, no sooner than I get the personalized plate, then I find the cool Ford GT badge I mounted left of the plate. So it went from no identification to 2 Major problem, eh ...

LynniePad said:

I know that you are posting these images as part of an exercise, but you would be much better off with a more attractive setting for the car, rather than with the shadowy background and a dull corner of the house. I’ve used an open woodland as a background, or maybe I’ll park the car in the drive of an up-market house.



To answer your original question, I mostly use JPEG, except where there’s a difficult scene. Note that the JPEG options of many cameras allow for user preferences, and usually include some degree of “sharpening”. Worth checking the in-camera options.

BTW, great car.

Maybe it’s the “Color Option” in force, but I’m turning green myself! :-D

Click to expand...

Thanks! And, yeah in hindsight I shouldn't have posted the image that I did because I have no intention of using that particular background, with the wild vegetation and part of a building. I was really just focused on the car itself, and for some reason assumed everyone would read my mind on that and ignore the background This is the background I'm actually thinking about ... could you let me know your thoughts on this?

Bill Ferris said:

Beautiful car!

My observations and comments are mostly in the area of creative options to consider. They're based on the guiding principal that anything in a photo that doesn't contribute to the story of the image or subject, is a distraction to be eliminated.

First, I wouldn't photograph the car in front of your house. It's not a setting that focuses the viewer's attention on the car and it's most attractive attributes. You want the viewer's gaze immediately drawn to the car. The setting should contribute to the vehicle's story or, at worst, be brutal.

Is there a track or road course in the area where you could make the photos? A dark asphalt road surface will set off the car better than a light gray concrete surface. Positioning the car on a bank, in a turn - especially an undulating curve on a road course - would add a dynamic setting that contributes to communicating the personality of the vehicle.

I'd also wait for a cloudy day when the sky will act like a giant soft box. Soft even lighting will lighten shadows, even out the illumination, and avoid overblown highlights. It's a quality of light that will showcase the beauty and elegance of the vehicle.

By choosing a better location and better quality light, you can call attention to two of the most important qualities that will attract buyers... its power & speed and the car's beauty.

Good luck with the sale.

Click to expand...

Got it, thanks. Apparently I'll need to come up with a different location. My problem is, the car for sale has 351 miles on it, and adding miles to a collector car usually devalues it. So I'll probably need to trailer the car to a better location, problem with that being that I don't have a trailer. I'll look into renting one.

Larry_T said:

I am on Bring a Trailer often, I second the suggestion to look on this site for excellent examples. If you are selling on your own, find a simple setting as others suggested, avoid shadow, sun glare, etc. If you are a serious seller and want top dollar hire a professional. I know on sites like BaT where the buyers almost only have access to the car via photos and Q&A with the seller, top photos can enhance the sale by tens of thousands. Best of luck.

Click to expand...

I watch BaT all the time, and that's where I intend to list my red GT. I'll look for a better setting, but I don't care to hire a professional because I want to learn photography and this is a good project to motivate me to really focus and improve. And I'm in no hurry to sell; whenever the images are finished, but really no rush. Thank you.

tclune said:

I know that this is a photography site, but you're selling a car, not an image of a car. The cropped photo is perfectly appropriate to present the vehicle. Anyone interested in it who finds the price appropriate will be as likely to follow up on it from that photo as from a shot made by a seasoned professional photographer. Or so ISTM.

Click to expand...

These images will actually be used for an auction listing. Thanks for weighing in.

I would also recommend a less busy background if possible. I'd also recommend some front 3/4 shots too. It's good you're crouching down for the shots.

You can see the reason landscape photographers shoot in the golden hours - to shoot without distracting shadows. If you want something artistic, I'd do what Bill recommended and shoot on a cloudy day or in the golden hours.

Or you could try something even more artistic and light paint your car, which you could do in your garage. This example is not mine, it was taken by a mentor of mine:



--
"You can't be young forever, but you can always be immature" - Larry Andersen

If you want to learn a goal helps. But this means lighting, background, angles, stitching, post processing, and eye. The hardest is the eye. I believe you will have no trouble with getting pics good enough to sell.

Trying a lot harder will improve your self. Maybe even the price. Which I am not concerned with.

Catch some smaller details of the car. That takes a bit of car guy eye. Or copy the ones you already have seen. You know the ones. You can id the car by just a small part of it.

Background. As above the advice for a solid color.

And a very dark one too. All black no lights. Or attempt this with a very fast/low exposure but with lights or flash. Thus squelching out the background. Complete and artistic. Partial and highlights. Specular reflections.

Great project.

extrapolator said:

LynniePad said:

I know that you are posting these images as part of an exercise, but you would be much better off with a more attractive setting for the car, rather than with the shadowy background and a dull corner of the house. I’ve used an open woodland as a background, or maybe I’ll park the car in the drive of an up-market house.



To answer your original question, I mostly use JPEG, except where there’s a difficult scene. Note that the JPEG options of many cameras allow for user preferences, and usually include some degree of “sharpening”. Worth checking the in-camera options.

BTW, great car.

Maybe it’s the “Color Option” in force, but I’m turning green myself! :-D

Click to expand...

Thanks! And, yeah in hindsight I shouldn't have posted the image that I did because I have no intention of using that particular background, with the wild vegetation and part of a building. I was really just focused on the car itself, and for some reason assumed everyone would read my mind on that and ignore the background This is the background I'm actually thinking about ... could you let me know your thoughts on this?

Click to expand...

I would prefer something like this…



BTW, 350Z shown earlier was my “Poor man’s Ferrari” for a while. (Well, it had about the same performance of a much older Ferrari).

Not a bad car, but had the clutch slave cylinder INSIDE the transmission housing, making for expensive maintenance. Sold with much more than 351 miles on the clock.

extrapolator said:

Got it, thanks. Apparently I'll need to come up with a different location.

Click to expand...

Look around your property and determine if there are any angles that have simpler backgrounds. You don't say if you have a garage or not, even parked in front of closed garage doors might be a less distracting background. Your photo straight into the back of the red car has fairly even shrubbery, that is less distracting than some of the other angles you have posted.

I've taken a shot of my Toyota Carina at the beach (some places allow cars to drive there) quite a while back....the sunset glow created a beaut. You may not have to go to this extent, but better lighting would certainly help. The light you use is way harsh.