The Art and Science of Car Photography

BORREGO SPRINGS, Calif. – This is an inside look at what goes into getting a slick shot of a new car. It starts with timing, getting up early before the sun comes up, or staying around until just before the sun goes down. A recent photo shoot for Nissan's all-new 2013 Nissan Sentra started at 5 a.m. in the California desert because the photo crew wanted somewhere quiet, yet colorful.

According to long-time photographer Bruce Benedict, one of the most perfect locations to catch a great photo is at the top of a mountain, at sunrise, with an open sky in the background. Then, before the sun passes the horizon, with no reflections, and perfect sweet light, take your photo. Benedict also warns that getting a great shot might require the photographer to get a bit dirty because a low angle can deliver some great shots.

So if it's your first car, or one you just love more than others that you want to photograph, remember….timing is everything. The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset are considered sweet light. The perfect natural lighting. It's best to find a quiet colorful place, to avoid showing grey skies, and to get on the ground for a low angle. This just might be the recipe for the perfect picture.

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