How To Take The Best Photos Of Your Car
Words: Henry Williams | Photos: Henry
Clean Your Car
A Clean Car Sells: Before taking photos, make sure your car is spotless both inside and out. A well-maintained vehicle is much more attractive in pictures.
Top Tip: Bring a rag or towel for a final touch-up just before snapping your photos.
Choose The Right Time of Day
Shoot During the Golden Hour: For the best natural lighting, take photos in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent harsh shadows and reflections.
Top Tip: The light changes around 30 minutes before sunset, providing ideal, even lighting without harsh direct light.
Select A Suitable Location
Choose the Right Background: Find a clean, uncluttered background that complements your car. Avoid busy streets and distracting elements. The best locations have a simple backdrop, ensuring the focus remains on the car.
Top Tip: An empty cul-de-sac or local park can be an excellent spot for photos. Use Google Maps to scout a suitable nearby location.
Focus On Angles
Photos sell: Take photos of your car from multiple angles: front, rear, side, and three-quarter views. Experiment with different heights to find the most flattering perspective. Focus on showcasing the car’s best features.
- ¾ front shots of the car
- Full front of the car
- ¾ rear shots of the car
- Full rear of the car
- Side shots of the car
- Interior – front dashboard
- Interior – rear seats
- Interior – boot space
- The engine
Top Tip: Take photos in landscape mode. Avoid portrait mode as it shows less of the car
Avoid Reflections | Turn Flash Off
Manage Reflections: Be mindful of reflections on your car’s surface. Change your angle or position to minimise unwanted reflections, and turn off the camera’s flash to avoid glare.
Top Tip: Using a polarizing camera filter can help remove unwanted light reflections when shooting in sunlight.
Ready to sell your car? List your car for sale on AutoTrader using the link below.
