The Art of Close-up Automotive Photography

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Get up close and personal with Tim Wallace and a Cadillac CTS to learn the art of close-up automotive photography. Tim will teach you how to work with one light, one lens, and one camera to capture the most quintessential car detail shots you’ve seen in car advertisements around the world. It’s all about detail, and Tim’s meticulous approach is packed with practical tips for keeping things simple, working fast, and nailing the shots you need to get the job done.

Introduction (03:44) Join Tim at the Trolley Barn in Tampa, Florida with a 2011 Cadillac CTS where he sets up the lessons to follow and shows you how to identify the signature detail areas you want to look for before you shoot.
Shooting the Grill (06:50) The emblem on the grill is one of the most recognizable details on any car. It is a critical shot to get right, and Tim shows you how.
Rear Brake Light (06:19) Translucent and highly reflective surfaces present unique challenges to overcome. Your camera angle makes all the difference.
Looking at the Bigger Picture (11:07) While Tim sets up the light for shooting one of the wheels, he takes time to discuss some of the larger issues related to photographing cars.
Rim Shot (05:35) The devil is in the detail, and the time you invest before shooting pays dividends in your workflow down the road.
Under the Hood (05:41) The engine is the heart of the car and it is an important shot to get. It may not look like much at first, but Tim demonstrates how you can use the same one lens and one light to create a super sexy shot.
Conclusion (03:14) Tim wraps up the class with a few final words on the most important points covered in this class.

Course Time: 00 Hours 42 Minutes

V. Schmidt

Sep 11 2012

Very honest, inspiring, to the point. Makes you want to grab your camera and go out and shoot cars, even though it never occurred to me before. The principles can be applied to almost any type of photography. Tim comes across as a very authentic person and it is fun to listen to his relaxed presentation style. Thank you!
R. Hearn

Jul 6 2012

This was an excellent course and for someone wanting to learn more about car photography this was packed full of tips and information. I do have to say though Tim mentions that you can take these photos without a studio, but the car was in a controlled lighting situation. I myself would have loved to see an example of how to light a car to capture the same type photos in an outside environment. Perhaps the next tutorial :)
D. Duholke

Jun 21 2012

Tim Wallace - Fantastic set of courses. Love his style and attitude.
F. Barbiero

Jun 19 2012

Super shoot, great advice. His whole series is extremely useful. Thanks Kelby and company!
J. Kim

May 17 2012

I absolutely love the work Tim Wallace does as a photographer and as a teacher of photography. He has a way of explaining the most intricate details in a simple, understandable way. He's truly a great (and my favorite) addition to the instructors on kelbytraining.com. Please make more videos!
B. Byington

Apr 26 2012

Tim is an amazing instructor. I have been seriously shooting cars for about 3 years and wished I had seen these videos when I started. But I learned a lot and find that I have been doing somethings right. I have been feeling a bit stale lately and Tim has re-inspired me. I will be a lot more thoughtful in my work. I will be getting back to basics and strive to be more creative in-camera. I believe that this will take my work to a new level. One thing that struck me as humorous was Tim telling us he avoided books and looking at others work to avoid being overly influenced by what they are doing, but if we all took his advise there would not be much demand for his seminars would there. I really liked the fact he stressed keeping things simple as much as possible.
L. Puscas

Apr 15 2012

Coming from an automotive state, I can really relate to automotive photography. I have shot both full automobiles and detail shots. It was interesting to watch this and hear the various tips and techniques. I really enjoyed this and will keep a number of things he mentioned in mind when I have to opportunity to do this again. Great segment.
P. Biederman

Apr 6 2012

Really love the presentation. The teacher transmits a sense of passion for photography and his work.The shortened format makes the program viewable at one sitting. Thank you. Paul Biederman
F. DelValle

Apr 2 2012

Fantastic course.Tim's direct, patient, and passionate approach to photography as art coupled with instilling the use of good technique really inspires and energizes. The use of the live view camera was brilliant; what a fantastic and well thought out visual aid for a visual audience. Kudos!
D. Gamble

Mar 30 2012

Amazing wisdom and inspiration. Every word Tim speaks holds a lesson
T. Wallace

Mar 29 2012

Thanks guys for taking the time to feedback on this class, its great to hear that so many people have been able to take something from the class and most importantly get out there and be inspired to try things of their own, photography is always very much about enjoying the journey and not just a fast track to the destination, this way people hopefully will really build up there own unique knowledge of light and how it impacts on a subject either that being a car or indeed anything else, this way I firmly believe that we give ourselves the opportunity too build up that all important ‘rolodex’ of experience in our minds that builds not only professional ability but also allows us to create and develop our own unique styles which is essential in my view…
A. Villalobos

Mar 28 2012

incredibly good
S. Eriksen

Mar 25 2012

An excellent and informative lesson. I've really got new ideas after watching this video!
C. Boice

Mar 21 2012

EXCELLENT course! I enjoyed it and learned a lot.
A. Aravind

Mar 21 2012

I have seen almost every Kelby training video but have not been influenced by anything else like this did. Ironically Car is the last thing I would shoot but the impact of Tim Wallace is very profound. Thanks for this training.
T. Bryson

Mar 16 2012

Mr. Wallace I enjoyed both of your courses on automotive photography. I have been messing around with shooting me and my friends cars for the past couple of months and you just opened up a ton of ideas in my head. Thank you for the very informative and creative course
J. Carroll

Mar 15 2012

I never thought about shooting cars or motorcycles but now I want to give it a go. Great series
T. Hindes

Mar 15 2012

That has to be one of the best lighting classes on Kelby. Between the use of live view to see what Tim is seeing and the fact that you could do this in your garage with a pinto brings it down to the level that Joe, Scott and others miss because I don't have a model, assistant or thousands in lighting gear. The fact that I can practice this with one cheep strobe and a homemade strip box at my house is a great "practice project".
T. Hindes

Mar 15 2012

The boom live view shots make this video AWSOME! I would love to see this in more videos when you talk about framing and thought process. Home run!
S. Corey

Mar 14 2012

So refreshing to watch a training session on my favorite subject - car details. I have instructed, written a book, and assisted groups with car photography, but never felt fully confident with lighting, the most important aspect. This presentation clarifies many concerns. Thank you,
M. Ancheta

Mar 13 2012

I might be nobody in the industry, but in my almost 2 years as a subscriber here in kelby training, Tim Wallace is one of my favorite among others. He's inspiring and down to earth and his teachings is easily absorbed by a typical student like me. I hope to see more of his tutorials aside from the next two that i've been waiting for patiently.
J. Santiago

Mar 12 2012

Another great class by Wallace. So simple and yet so productive. Kudos!!! Hope to see more of him soon...
T. Lloyd

Mar 12 2012

Tim is such a great inspiration - I've learned a great deal from these sessions and I can't wait to put the theory into practise. Incredible images with a limited equipment list - achieveable by us all. What's the next lesson about ??? I can't wait to see?
M. Koppl

Mar 12 2012

Hey guys. This one is a burner!! I love the way Tim Wallace works - I love the way he thinks about photography. And so are his advices - clearly made for people with brains: on. Thank you very much for this one. Regards.
T. Quinn

Mar 12 2012

This is an AWESOME course. Its funny how it come about a week or so after the 5 harsh realities of photography and being #4 or 5 that every picture is photoshopped. Tim has done wonders WITHOUT photoshop. Straight out of camera shots. I am a car nut and this couse makes me want to go out and shoot my car. I can do it becuse the investment is minimal and the photoshop is nil. This will make me a better car photographer. Keep them coming. Also who ever decided on using the Live CAM during this course should get a bonus. It helps put us as the photographer there. Right there each and every time. You need a bonus, Steak Dinner, week off, pat on the back. True Genius!.

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Your Instructor

Tim Wallace

International Advertising & Automotive Photographer

Photographer Tim Wallace is the driving force and creative thinking behind Ambient Life. An award winning photographer his work is often described as both conceptual and dramatic. Tim works...VIEW FULL BIO»

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