5 steps to shoot a Car



Few essentials before you can shoot.

Apart from the car you want to shoot (Demo Car), you should have another car (Tracking Car) from which you can shoot.

The Tracking Cars window should go down all the way so that you can lean out and shoot handheld. Also it should have a spacious boot which can accommodate you with the camera setup. An assistant is a must, as he is the one who will take care of you while you concentrate on the shoot.

Auto shoot is a team work. There has to be co-ordination between drivers of the Demo Car, the Tracking Car and the cameraman. Any misunderstanding or lack of communication can result in an accident. So be careful.

As a rule the Demo Car should be the lead car, which moves around as per the requirement of the shot and the Tracking Car should move at a steady speed. As it is all about speed and about catching the action, pep up your shutter speed to add so spice to your moving shots.

1.       Tracking shots
For this you need to setup the camera on a tripod in the boot of the car. Start off by giving block shots of the Demo Car while it is motion. Get the marque, the head light, the front grill, side mirrors and wheels.

2.       Passing shots
While you are still in the boot of the car, you can let the Demo Car pass by to go ahead multiple times to create a sequence in different compositions.
Now you can move in the front to lean outside and shoot handheld from the window of the side door. Here again let the Demo Car pass the camera multiple times in different compositions.
This can be repeated at different eye level for variety.

3.       Follow shots
Now you can get out of the car and set-up at a vantage point from where you can establish the location you are shooting at.
Use the tele end of your lens to compose the Demo Car and follow the focus as it traverses the serpentine road.

4.       Transition shots

These are the shots which gives a breathing space and a break from the shots above. Here you have the license to get as creative as you want.

·         Let the Demo car pass over your camera

·         Shoot the lines on the road passing by

·         Get a perspective shot of the driver looking outside

·         Compose the side mirrors so that you can see the road go across.

·         Get something interesting on the side of the road (blade of grass/ flower/ pebbles) in the foreground and shift the focus on the Demo Car as it zooms across.

5.       Static shots

These are the interior shots of the car that defines its features to a large extend. Even though they are static shots try and include some action in the shot.

·         When you shoot the tyres ask the driver to rotate the steering.

·         Put on the lights ON while shooting front lamps and press the indicators to get it rear light blinking.

·         You can also compose the shot at let the side mirror to open and close.

·         When you shoot the dashboard pan through it.

·         Finally, get the steering wheel with the speed meters by pressing the paddle to get the needles moving.

This article was contributed by Tushar Warankar, Video Journalist, ET Now. He regularly shoots for the automobile show Zig Wheels on ET Now.

http://www.videojournos.com/