Dejan Yordanov with masterful "photo choreography" around a 2-wheeled model in our studio
When the model isn't moving, shooting feels like a dance around it. This was confirmed by those present at the automotive photography demonstration in our studio. Deyan Yordanov showcased masterful "choreography" with a Sony a7 IV, an Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM lens, and a Godox AD600 Pro flash around an electric scooter, specially provided for the shoot by Motoretta Bulgaria.
“A car or motorcycle can look flat if the correct shooting technique isn't used. Their flat and inappropriate lighting can hide all their beautiful curves,” were some of Deyan's first words to the audience.
That's why, in the theoretical part of the event, he presented two techniques: image compositing and light painting.
Image compositing
“This is a shooting technique with a stationary camera mounted on a tripod. The light source is one, which moves around the subject, resulting in X number of frames with different lighting. These frames are then “assembled” into a single image in Photoshop,” Deyan explained the principle of the technique.
According to him, this technique allows the use of only one light source, which "simulates" the use of many light fixtures. With it, besides calmness and concentration, the photographer must be prepared for many shots from different angles, and in each of them - to keep the camera's position absolutely precise, regardless of whether they adjust a modifier or reflector around their model in the meantime.
“The important things are: the camera should not move, and shots should be taken with light coming from different angles.”
Deyan accomplished this with several shots: first with the entire model, positioned sideways against his lens; then - with a shot showing three-quarters of the scooter; further - with shots focusing on various details.
Assistants, without whom such sessions are unthinkable according to the photographer, must carefully check that everything attached to the tripods - softboxes, counterweights, etc. - is securely fastened. "Because the last thing you want is for something to fall on the motorcycle or car and damage them." Here are more of the photographer's instructions:
“The assistant entering the frame is not a problem; we use a detail or part of the image."
"It's important that the model is static and doesn't move.”
“Try to spend more time with the model and get the most out of it - modify the light with a reflector, with a softbox.”... “A polarizing filter gives more control over reflections.”
Regarding the lens: “If we want to maintain the exact proportions of the vehicle, it is advisable to shoot with over 50mm to minimize distortion.”
Light painting
In this technique, two or more frames are taken and then combined into one. To apply it, it must be dark, and the light source can be anything, including a phone. Here is a short video from our Instagram profile.
The magic is in Photoshop
None of the individually taken shots are ready until they "go through" a computer.
“The magic is in Photoshop,” explained Deyan Yordanov.
That's where the frames (for both techniques) are layered, and the model is practically drawn in. It sounds easy, but a single shot can sometimes take tens of hours. The encouraging thing is that:
“With extremely limited equipment, super beautiful things can be created, as long as you know what you're doing.”
Dynaphos made sure there were 6 different Sony models and 16 lenses available for attendees to try out what they had seen.
You can watch the shooting process in the video we filmed, and here's the result of Deyan Yordanov's demonstration in 2 of his photos:
You can learn more about the automotive photographer's work on his website, his professional pages on Facebook and Instagram, as well as through the Motoretta Bulgaria website. Find out more about him from his word portrait in the blog's section Photographers.
The photos in this article and the featured image in its title are by Aleksandar Stoyanov. We thank him for providing them for publication. The photos in the gallery are by the article's author, Ekaterina Kostova.
