Shooting car details:

Using the FDL technique to photograph car design details:

Small details are crucial design elements in cars, offering great photographic opportunities. However, isolating these details requires small light sources, which often produce harsh highlights and reveal imperfections. The Focussed Diffused Lighting technique provides the perfect solution to this problem.

Here are the basic steps to follow:

• Take a reference shot using ambient light.

• Under-expose the ambient light by 4-5 stops using the camera’s manual settings.

• Use a speed light on manual mode to overpower the ambient light.

• Attach a small diffuser (3,93 inches / 100mm) to the speed light to diffuse the light.

• Hold the diffuser very close to the detail (11,81 inches / 300mm) to isolate the detail, this will still gives harsh highlights.

• Add another, much larger diffuser between the detail and speed light to solve the problem instantly.

Shooting ambient light

Under expose by 5 stops

Using small diffuser

Adding second, much larger diffuser

The FDL technique produces a soft, almost matt finish that hides most imperfections in car detail, and the results are instant. The moment you pop the flash and the image appears on the camera screen, you’ll be amazed by the results. This is the perfect lighting technique to use on location, and it will guarantee happy customers, taking your car/automotive photography to the next level.