[Chris Pulleyn]

Glad to hear it.

I know it’s a bit late but saw this and thought of your project due to all the windows.
Obviously pretty much handheld and reporter style quick shots but some decent results… though you would obviously do better.

Note how on the very curvy modern car he places the camera to reflect in the whited out headlight and the gantry shot was good idea too.
Experience for us all.

A History of Innovation: Cadillac at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn-yYpcBREk&feature=player_embedded#at=51

Good luck
See ya later
Chris

[Chris Pulleyn]

Hi
I was a photo assistant specialised in cars for years and though cars seem easy there are a few things to think about.
The number 1 problem is Reflections! highly polished showroom Cars are like mirrors! they will reflect the ceiling lights, windows and especially YOU. I understand that this is not a car ad but a showroom ad but there is nothing worse than seeing the cameraman reflected in the subject.

Number 1 tip is; before each shot look at where YOU are reflecting.
– take a torch (flashlight) and point it from the lens and see which body panels you see it in. If you are doing a Dolly run or walk through, do a dry run BEFORE you set up.
– take some black/or neutral coloured material and 2 light stands and create a barrier to hide you and your hangers on behind.
– stop anyone aimlessly wandering around behind you (with their cells)as they will reflect too.
– use reflections of people/models in the bonnet/hood and zoom out. can be a nice shot.

Lighting, if you try and light the ceiling you may will get the whole structure reflecting in the cars and in what sounds like a pretty difficult. would be a mammoth task and i con’t really think of a sure answer without seeming the workspace but hope some of the above will make other aspects easier.

Contrast and lens flair will be your enemy. Flag your lens as much as possible.

Ohh i could go on and on!
hope some of his helped

Chrispy

[Chris Pulleyn]

Thanks Dave & Laurie,
I have done alot more reading since the post and came to the conclusion i was in trouble.

I didn’t want to go back to the producer with a silly question like “did that footage NOT have an Alpha?” but I got an updated version this morning and this one worked straight away…. so it seems that it wasn’t there.

BTW Can I fine tune the Alpha though or is it WYSIWYG?
There is still a bit of a white shimmer around him.
It is a low level web-edit but as I’m at it I’d like to get it as right as i can.