n00b with some nice camera gear... photo wizzards required

[JamesE30]

So a good friend of mine has lent me her DSLR, it's a Cannon 450D. I basically have NFI how to use it, but I'd like to try and take some nice photos this w.e. I also borrowed a tripod from uni, So I guess I'm set for equipment.

Anybody have any tips they'd like to share in regards to photographing cars?
I'm slowly figuring out what the buttons do, but I dont even know what setting to use lol
I'd like to try some simple daylight shots in a nice location, some long exposure night shots, and maybe even "light painting" the car. So any tips would be great :up:

This is the gear :D

[325ix]

Try and take your pics in the morning or afternoon so the harsh light doesn't blow everything out. Also use simple backgrounds. You can also try a flash in the daytime to help redistribute the light. Hope that helps a little, also take your pictures of the side of the car that has light shining on it.

[Atreus]

try it in either aperture or shutter priority for a bit, you'll get the hang of it soon enough.

shutter speed:30-1/800th of a second, (example)
higher number=amount that the "eye" is open, enabling you to catch high speed/action shots
lower=opposite, open longer, letting in more light, creating overexposure* issues

*overexposure = that white washed/too bright of a light in the pic

try aperture too.

quick site for brushing up,
http://kenrockwell.com/

hope that helps.

[JamesE30]

Thanks for the help guys! I went out last night to take a couple of photos, here is a little teaser, I'll post a member ride thread with the rest soon :up:

[Dude]

It comes less down to figuring out what each botton does then actually making a good composition. If you dont plan on completly learning whats going on stick it in P mode with the iso at 200, get it steady on the tripod (for anything not in daylight) and shoot away.

[Atreus]

wow, that. is. a. NICECAR.

props

[325ix]

I saw your pics, they came out really good. The car is also very nice looking, I love the pinstripes.