During a tech session with a client, we were talking about how great cars look online and in magazines. But then you see that car at SEMA or an auto show, and from a detailer’s perspective, are disappointed with how the finish appears. Both DIY detailers and pros always shoot pictures that make the cars look amazing. Both of us are photography buffs, he is more sophisticated than I, and know tricks with lighting. You can shoot a dirty car on any day and the end result will come out looking like a show car if you get the right angle. We both found this to be a bit interesting. So to better understand all the hard work that went into making the finish look amazing, you have to shoot it in a legitimate lighting atmosphere that is a true depiction of not only the product used and the end result, but the technical knowledge of the detailer or artist. This is where florescent lights and halogen lights come in. These photos are before/after pics under florescent and 1000 watt dual-halogen lighting; the worst light and the most discerning.

 

I can't seem to add pictures any more What's up with the servers????? At least you get a good idea of what I started with.

 

Interesting topic - this is a not uncommon issue over at Autopia, where folks post pictures of detailed cars all the time. I think the consensus is exactly what you just said; unless the pictures are under direct sunlight (not diffused) or at least a 500W halogen, then it is not difficult to take a shot at the right angle and make even a poorly cared for vehicle look very good. Unfortunately most people don't know this, so people can post pictures of reflections, which are all but useless when determining the condition of paint.

When I am taking pictures of my work I go out of my way to get shows under halogens from the same angle/position (or as close to it as possible), for example, some shots from today:

http://gtaindetail.com/pics/ram123006/c.jpg

http://gtaindetail.com/pics/ram123006/d.jpg

Cheers.

 

Yup, when I'm done detailing my black Phaeton, I always use my 10mil candlelight spotlight to see the improvements made. God I hate swirl marks...they seriously make me cringe.

Picus, your detail job looks great! Can't wait to see Moe's outcome!

 

A little help here guys...I cannot post any pics. Is it 6speed's servers or me? How do you just post pics in responses instead of thumbnails?

 

If you have a host all you need to do is the following.

"[img]url here[/img]" without the quotes.

 

Moe, if you want, you can email them to me at desmatt02@yahoo.com and I will host them.

Or like picus said, all you need is the img tags around the url of the picture (assuming you have it uploaded to a host site).

 

I can out it on my site but I was wondering how everyone just posts pics in responses like the old days

 

These swirls are caused by poor washing technique. The client has the car wash guys in his building fo a weekly wash.

 

The reflection of the light is distorted by the swirls and spiderwebbing

 

The swirls are eliminated and can be verifired by the flash. The haze is from the polish residue.

 

 

1000 watt halogen directly on finish. Worst light possible.

 

Side-by-side of before/after on the hood

 

Now that the flash and halogens verified the elimination of imperfections....BEAUTY SHOTS