timsdd aka Tim's Digital Darkroom

This is something my friend Andy and I have talked about for a LONG time. We wanted to give it a shot and see what we could come up with constructing a (photo auto) rig ourselves that would allow us to photograph autos in motion….without spending $300-500!

It’s something he has researched far before I even knew about it, and thankfully the very generous photographers online have posted and discussed their own rigs for some time now which was integral in our attempt.

This was my first time out. I picked night b/c it was convenient and I figured there would be ample places that had cool lights that would make interesting backgrounds.

I loved this lens flare I got so I had to include it

Cruising around and while you can’t see it, my eyes are GLUED to the suction cups on the hood of the car.

The hardest part is maintaining the same color balance between the car and the background. While one white balance setting makes the cars look best, the original setting makes the lights look best. The car is suited for ~2K to 2.5K under the lights that exposed the Rav4.

For such a long exposure (5-10s) I was surprised by the clarity of the images. The (focus) falloff is due to the F/5 setting, though I ran to 6.3 towards the end of the night.

I thought these would make excellent stock photos but the wizards @ istock deem that the body shape of the SUV is © material….even though they have LOTS of full featured cars and SUV’s on their website (I do not care for them much!!)

BUT, that was just to be an added bonus. The real reason for us creating this rig and trying these shots was to build a client base here in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, and surrounding areas.

We hope to tap into the large market of car enthusiasts in the area and provide some unique pictures for those folks that really LOVE their autos!!

Nice shot of the Capitol

First Baptist Church Pflugerville

I have yet to be on a boat to photograph this…some day!!!

This is such a wide shot of the helicopter that I thought I could do a cut out; probably don’t need the arrow? Oh well.
At first I was like huh….kinda blocky but then it occurred to me that the helicopter is but 1/50th the size of the entire frame so no way it’s going to be crystal!

First Baptist Church Pflugerville
Good shot of the church and most of the high school, missed the football field though – ooops

I like the shot of the Capitol but then the Frost Tower get clipped!