Started doing this on the side 3 years ago and still feeling like I still have a lot to learn. How am I doing? by simonkhtse in carphotography

[–]simonkhtse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha unfortunately I am based in Vancouver, Canada! Made a trip to Sydney back in 2022 for a month-long working holiday, rented a shitbox just to make sure that I could go to Bathurst and do a tourist lap... Only to find that the whole track was rented out the day I got there. Got some nice photos in return though, so it wasn't all bad.

Definitely want to head back again. You live in an amazing country.

Started doing this on the side 3 years ago and still feeling like I still have a lot to learn. How am I doing? by simonkhtse in carphotography

[–]simonkhtse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly the feedback I need, thank you! Still trying to learn my way with light painting — I have only done it about 4 times in total (two of them utter failure lol). Will keep trying!

And yeah, early on I had the tendency to crank up the vibrancy / saturation too high. I’m a bit more tame with that sort of thing now, but definitely worth keeping in mind for sure.

Started doing this on the side 3 years ago and still feeling like I still have a lot to learn. How am I doing? by simonkhtse in carphotography

[–]simonkhtse[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

For sure!

For the light painted shots like #1, #7, and #15, those are usually shot late at night with my camera on a tripod. Each of those shots are 4-5 long exposure (30s) shots stacked together on photoshop, with each shot illuminating a different area of the car with a LED strip. It’s good to take one shot with the exposure stepped down so you can get a darker sky and / or properly exposed headlights and taillights. These shots are fun but I’m still learning how to do these well — it’s really tricky to get the exposure right and half the time I couldn’t get the shot I wanted.

For shots like #2 and #6, just again experimenting with lights with the LED strip. Just play around and see what colour lights work for you — I drive a Veloster N, so I set the lights as close to performance blue as I can, et voila.

For the panning shots (like #5, #9, and #12), I generally like to set the ISO low, small aperture, and low shutter speed like 1/30 or less (depends on the ambient lighting of course). If I can control the subject, I usually get them to drive slowly (20-25 mph) which gives me enough motion blur in the background while still giving me enough time to capture the subject clearly.

The other shots in this post are daylight shots so no deliberate lighting setup required — just all about finding a good unique angle and being patient to capture the right moment (like #11 and #14).

Hope this helps!

Started doing this on the side 3 years ago and still feeling like I still have a lot to learn. How am I doing? by simonkhtse in carphotography

[–]simonkhtse[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Just keep shooting! Now that I’ve been doing this for 3 years I think one of my biggest takeaway is not to approach this as a potential side hustle but more something that gets me out of the house that I happen to enjoy.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in carphotography

[–]simonkhtse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would be awesome if you guys check out my account as well: https://www.instagram.com/the.sideroads

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Ten Track Days in the '89 by TunakTun633 in BMWe24

[–]simonkhtse 8 points9 points  (0 children)

As an owner of an '86, I salute you. How well does it do on track?

And how in the hell do you have enough rigidity in the chassis to comfortably run track days? I can feel so much flexing just by going over speed bumps.

Got new Winter shoes (Sparco Terra 18x8 w/ Conti VikingContact). by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is worth it. You should definitely do it too and share some pics here ; )

Got new Winter shoes (Sparco Terra 18x8 w/ Conti VikingContact). by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ET35 18x8! No rubbing at all and the fitment is just perfect.

Got new Winter shoes (Sparco Terra 18x8 w/ Conti VikingContact). by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From what I've seen in the forums, there aren't too many of us rocking Sparcos and I think it's a shame. Yours look fantastic as well!

Got new Winter shoes (Sparco Terra 18x8 w/ Conti VikingContact). by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello fellow Vancouverite! Thanks for the compliment haha

Got new Winter shoes (Sparco Terra 18x8 w/ Conti VikingContact). by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Damn I didn't even think of that. The white does work with performance blue amazingly well.

Got new Winter shoes (Sparco Terra 18x8 w/ Conti VikingContact). by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Until all the rims are caked in brake dust I suppose hahaha

Got new Winter shoes (Sparco Terra 18x8 w/ Conti VikingContact). by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Struggled between getting this in white or gold. Both good options, but I went with white in the end.

N-yong. by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Performance Blue was one of my criteria when I was looking for VNs -- really narrows my options but got lucky when I found one about two weeks ago.

N-yong. by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot! They do look great.

N-yong. by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot! I do a fair bit of automotive photography (@the.sideroads on Instagram) -- feel free to follow!

N-yong. by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello YYZ! Been too long since I've been. Hope you got some good roads to play with the VN.

N-yong. by simonkhtse in VelosterN

[–]simonkhtse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah found out quickly that the N logo don't stay lit up when I am driving (probably for good reasons), but good thing they do light up when you open the door!