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Last Updated: October 16th, 2011

Tiny Table of Content



Through the Camera - Basics:

1.0 The Magical GT5 Camera





2.0 The Shutter Speed





1/60 Shutter Speed



1/250 Shutter Speed



1/640 Shutter Speed​ 1/60 Shutter Speed1/250 Shutter Speed1/640 Shutter Speed​



3.0 Aperture



f/4.0



f/2.8



f/1.0​ f/4.0f/2.8f/1.0​



f/4.0



f/2.0



f/1.4

​ f/4.0f/2.0f/1.4

4.0 Focal Lengths





This photo was taken at ...50mm (or 50.9mm according to flickr, weird lol) and f/2.0.





Now I walked up really close, put the lens to 14mm, and did the "wide angle fisheye shot."​ This photo was taken at ...50mm (or 50.9mm according to flickr, weird lol) and f/2.0.Now I walked up really close, put the lens to 14mm, and did the "wide angle fisheye shot."​





Personally, I kind of like this photo. Just... just puttin that out there, I don't feel the need to adjust it, but for the sake of this guide... I did a fisheye of the front.





The vertical angle is a bit different, but that's cause... I kind of needed it. But this produces an obvious fisheye effect, without ruining the integrity of the car. Right..? Right? SAY YES.​ Personally, I kind of like this photo. Just... just puttin that out there, I don't feel the need to adjust it, but for the sake of this guide... I did a fisheye of the front.The vertical angle is a bit different, but that's cause... I kind of needed it. But this produces an obvious fisheye effect, without ruining the integrity of the car. Right..? Right? SAY YES.​



Here is that same picture again... that's just... just up there *points up*, which is, again, at 50mm.





Now I stepped back as far as I could, and zoomed in, to approx. 142mm, there is a lot less background because it's zoomed in from afar, and even less barrel distortion (distortion at 50mm? That's messed...). You see how this works now? Yes? Ok!​ Here is that same picture again... that's just... just up there *points up*, which is, again, at 50mm.Now I stepped back as far as I could, and zoomed in, to approx. 142mm, there is a lot less background because it's zoomed in from afar, and even less barrel distortion (distortion at 50mm? That's messed...). You see how this works now? Yes? Ok!​



So once again, 50mm at f/2.0. Take note of the blur.





Now this is at 142mm at f/2.0. The blur looks like it's much more intensive.



In order to achieve this kind of blur in at the 50mm range, I had to stop it down to f/1.0 on the 50mm range.



Like that... ​ So once again, 50mm at f/2.0. Take note of the blur.Now this is at 142mm at f/2.0. The blur looks like it's much more intensive.In order to achieve this kind of blur in at the 50mm range, I had to stop it down to f/1.0 on the 50mm range.Like that... ​

5.0 EV and AE Lock



This image is too dark, the car is in the shadows, we can either crank up the EV, or we could use the AE Lock feature! Like I did below.



​ This image is too dark, the car is in the shadows, we can either crank up the EV, or we could use the AE Lock feature! Like I did below.

6.0 Robotic Arm Panning!



Panning Mode 1





Panning Mode 2





Panning Mode 3

​ Panning Mode 1Panning Mode 2Panning Mode 3

7.0 Miniature Filter





​

8.0 Focusing!



Bad... This is a case of nice road, and Oh! I didn't notice the car there. An effect like focusing away from the car can work out nicely sometimes, but most of the time, ...no.





Theeere we go!





I've seen images like these, and I can't really help but wonder why. I mean, that's a great road/alley way that's in focus, but there's this stupid car in my way!





Oh hey! I see a car! It's a Mazda!





I'm actually driving the Murcielago, I'm taking a bad line, and I'm not in front. So I didn't focus on myself, I focused on the car in front of me because they're closer to the camera, and therefore they dominate the space in the frame. Had I been a loser and focused on myself, there would be beautiful blurry red Countach just ruining the entire image.

​ Bad... This is a case of nice road, and Oh! I didn't notice the car there. An effect like focusing away from the car can work out nicely sometimes, but most of the time, ...no.Theeere we go!I've seen images like these, and I can't really help but wonder why. I mean, that's a great road/alley way that's in focus, but there's this stupid car in my way!Oh hey! I see a car! It's a Mazda!I'm actually driving the Murcielago, I'm taking a bad line, and I'm not in front. So I didn't focus on myself, I focused on the car in front of me because they're closer to the camera, and therefore they dominate the space in the frame. Had I been a loser and focused on myself, there would be beautiful blurry red Countach just ruining the entire image.

9.0 Lighting

​







And another angle!

​ And another angle!



This is a poorly lit image.





Now I turned the car about 90 degrees, and I didn't move my camera at all...​ This is a poorly lit image.Now I turned the car about 90 degrees, and I didn't move my camera at all...​

Behind the Camera - Advanced

10.0 Composition -



10.1 Rule of Thirds



I see so many photos like this. Where a person points the camera direction at the car, and takes the picture, default settings and all. So see how the car is dead center? Like... dead center. It's pretty freaking boring. Now you see those lines? You want to use those lines as a reference for your subject. Lets try moving the car...





There, now it's along the bottom line. Is that better? Yeah I think so, I also dropped the shutter speed to get some fluid movement in the background (look at the flags). But when you're using the rule of 3rds, you want to to emphasize the subject on the point where the line intersects. AKA the 4 points where you can see a +.





That's what I mean. I also dropped down the aperture a bit, and we have a much improved image from the first example, yes? ​ I see so many photos like this. Where a person points the camera direction at the car, and takes the picture, default settings and all. So see how the car is dead center? Like... dead center. It's pretty freaking boring. Now you see those lines? You want to use those lines as a reference for your subject. Lets try moving the car...There, now it's along the bottom line. Is that better? Yeah I think so, I also dropped the shutter speed to get some fluid movement in the background (look at the flags). But when you're using the rule of 3rds, you want to to emphasize the subject on the point where the line intersects. AKA the 4 points where you can see a +.That's what I mean. I also dropped down the aperture a bit, and we have a much improved image from the first example, yes? ​



This image couldn't be any more center, it's so centered that, that, it's centered. - What does it look like? It looks like you were walking around Germany, saw a Fiat 500, and you j...j... can't say that word on here in your pants, so you quickly whipped your camera phone and took this picture. Ultimately, it looks boring doesn't it?





Also dropped the aperture to blur the background more, and get rid of some of that boring plain grey walkway at the bottom, and to bring more focus to the car. Does this not look better? You cannot say that this doesn't look better. ​ This image couldn't be any more center, it's so centered that, that, it's centered.- What does it look like? It looks like you were walking around Germany, saw a Fiat 500, and you j...j... can't say that word on here in your pants, so you quickly whipped your camera phone and took this picture. Ultimately, it looks boring doesn't it?Also dropped the aperture to blur the background more, and get rid of some of that boring plain grey walkway at the bottom, and to bring more focus to the car. Does this not look better? You cannot say that this doesn't look better. ​

10.2 Don't get caught Standing!



There! Now the camera is lower, and the overall image looks more interesting, because you're giving a unique perspective that isn't seen in everyday life by everyday people. But you may still notice that there are red lines there... just to show another example of rule of thirds - it's dead center. Notice that when you drop the camera low, and have the subject centered, you get a horrible amount of bland... boring.. plain...ground! Lets apply ze rule of zirds!





Is that not better? Now we have an uncenetered, unique perspective a car, it no longer looks plain, boring, and bland.





Placing the camera higher up gives a unique perspective that you can't get from simply standing around and photographing the race, even if you're actually standing in the middle of the road.



Or get tilted!



Personally, I think this image looks fine, not every image needs an angle, remember that.





But! Adding a tilt to the camera does make it look a bit more interesting doesn't it? Unique, different. Right? See what I'm gettin at?​ There! Now the camera is lower, and the overall image looks more interesting, because you're giving a unique perspective that isn't seen in everyday life by everyday people. But you may still notice that there are red lines there... just to show another example of rule of thirds - it's dead center. Notice that when you drop the camera low, and have the subject centered, you get a horrible amount of bland... boring.. plain...ground! Lets apply ze rule of zirds!Is that not better? Now we have an uncenetered, unique perspective a car, it no longer looks plain, boring, and bland.Placing the camera higher up gives a unique perspective that you can't get from simply standing around and photographing the race, even if you're actually standing in the middle of the road.Or get tilted!Personally, I think this image looks fine, not every image needs an angle, remember that.But! Adding a tilt to the camera does make it look a bit more interesting doesn't it? Unique, different. Right? See what I'm gettin at?​



10.3 Centering



This is a completely centered image. It's not the best, but it looks better than the examples I used in rule of 3rds, why? Because of the elements in it, this example is in the tunnel on SSR7 (which seems to be the main place I'll be using for examples here). So what do I mean? I mean, look at it, everything is pointing towards the car, it's like the car is pulling in both the sidewalls, like some suction hole, that's neat.





One easy way to center images and get away with it, is to get up close close and personal with it, occupy the frame so that it's not really centered. But again, the elements around the car in this image, the blurred lines of speed, give the feel of speed and thrill that makes the audience forget that it's even centered at all. ​ This is a completely centered image. It's not the best, but it looks better than the examples I used in rule of 3rds, why? Because of the elements in it, this example is in the tunnel on SSR7 (which seems to be the main place I'll be using for examples here). So what do I mean? I mean, look at it, everything is pointing towards the car, it's like the car is pulling in both the sidewalls, like some suction hole, that's neat.One easy way to center images and get away with it, is to get up close close and personal with it, occupy the frame so that it's not really centered. But again, the elements around the car in this image, the blurred lines of speed, give the feel of speed and thrill that makes the audience forget that it's even centered at all. ​





What do I mean by illusion exactly? This is what I mean. ​ What do I mean by illusion exactly? This is what I mean. ​



Here's another illusive example. This is also kind of neat, it's the first picture I ever took in GT5, I was absolutely stunned at what GT5's camera could do. Anyway, back on topic..​ Here's another illusive example. This is also kind of neat, it's the first picture I ever took in GT5, I was absolutely stunned at what GT5's camera could do. Anyway, back on topic..​

11.0 Good Image vs Realistic Image



Image by hot-wok​



That's a good image, in fact I think I have this in my gallery. It has good detail, a good amount of blur, a decent sense of speed, the focus is where it should be, the lighting is targeted at the focus, multiple cars are involved, you can feel it's a tight race.​ That's a good image, in fact I think I have this in my gallery. It has good detail, a good amount of blur, a decent sense of speed, the focus is where it should be, the lighting is targeted at the focus, multiple cars are involved, you can feel it's a tight race.​



This was my first Photo Travel Mode image, ok well not the very first one, but my first photo travel "session", once again, I was completely stunned by the vast capabilities that our GT5 camera allowed us to have. Does it look real? eeeehhhh... Kinda. But like I said, the black in GT5 is not black enough. So after some editing...





Emphasized on the black, and gave it a yellow filter, it looks more real, yes? ​ This was my first Photo Travel Mode image, ok well not the very first one, but my first photo travel "session", once again, I was completely stunned by the vast capabilities that our GT5 camera allowed us to have. Does it look real? eeeehhhh... Kinda. But like I said, the black in GT5 is not black enough. So after some editing...Emphasized on the black, and gave it a yellow filter, it looks more real, yes? ​



The buildings in this look great, they actually look like they could be real, the car looks great, it has a wonderful amount of detail. ...The chairs, the chairs murder the picture. They're not smooth at all, they're bumpy... and have rough edges, the colour is dull, and...brown! It ruins the whole image! ​ The buildings in this look great, they actually look like they could be real, the car looks great, it has a wonderful amount of detail. ...The chairs, the chairs murder the picture. They're not smooth at all, they're bumpy... and have rough edges, the colour is dull, and...brown! It ruins the whole image! ​





This is another photo from my gallery, and it's also used as an example up thar *points up*, except this one is edited. With proper aperture usage, the background is blurred, their detail is nulled out, the detail of the back of the car is also nulled out, therefore it emphasizes the detail at the front of the car. ​ This is another photo from my gallery, and it's also used as an example up thar *points up*, except this one is edited. With proper aperture usage, the background is blurred, their detail is nulled out, the detail of the back of the car is also nulled out, therefore it emphasizes the detail at the front of the car. ​

12.0 Editing - Yes or No?



The original image is... ..."meh". For a white car, it's darker than it should be, and all the colours seem to blend together, so it lacks the attention seeking factor. So with some minor editing...





There we go! That's a bit better. The colors stand out more, therefore the car itself stands out more, and the car is slightly sharper than in the unedited one. Buuuuuuuut... in my personal opinion, it's still a "meh" looking picture.

​ The original image is... ..."meh". For a white car, it's darker than it should be, and all the colours seem to blend together, so it lacks the attention seeking factor. So with some minor editing...There we go! That's a bit better. The colors stand out more, therefore the car itself stands out more, and the car is slightly sharper than in the unedited one. Buuuuuuuut... in my personal opinion, it's still a "meh" looking picture.



One of the bad things (unfortunately) about GT5, is the jagged shadows, smoke, and rain. We've all heard it. It is quite sad when you see an epic drift or a beautiful rain shot being ruined by bad pixelation on your car. Editing can help!





Apart from colour editing, making the image sharper, and adding a vignette (the dark corners), I smoothed out the jagged edges (I didn't do a very good job though). Had I taken more time to smooth out the edges, it could be almost unnoticeable. ​ One of the bad things (unfortunately) about GT5, is the jagged shadows, smoke, and rain. We've all heard it. It is quite sad when you see an epic drift or a beautiful rain shot being ruined by bad pixelation on your car. Editing can help!Apart from colour editing, making the image sharper, and adding a vignette (the dark corners), I smoothed out the jagged edges (I didn't do a very good job though). Had I taken more time to smooth out the edges, it could be almost unnoticeable. ​

12.1 Vignetting





Theres the original image...





This is after the colour, sharpness, brightness, and contrast has been adjusted. But I'm finding that the green patch of grass in the bottom right is slightly distracting, as is the car I'm about to PWN, and the top right corner now that I look at it once more. So I added a very light vignette.





There we go! Now the distracting green corners are darker, and they no longer grab your attention away from the cars. (A tad more brightness was also added)​ Theres the original image...This is after the colour, sharpness, brightness, and contrast has been adjusted. But I'm finding that the green patch of grass in the bottom right is slightly distracting, as is the car I'm about to PWN, and the top right corner now that I look at it once more. So I added a very light vignette.There we go! Now the distracting green corners are darker, and they no longer grab your attention away from the cars. (A tad more brightness was also added)​

12.2 High Dynamic Range



In this case, yeah the car is underexposed, but unlike a lot of other images I've seen, at least you notice the car before the freaking clock tower! ​ In this case, yeah the car is underexposed, but unlike a lot of other images I've seen, at least you notice the car before the freaking clock tower! ​



Top: Exposure value of +2.0 Bottom: Exposure Value of -2.0​ Top: Exposure value of +2.0 Bottom: Exposure Value of -2.0​



​





That's a good example of a poorly tone mapped image.​ That's a good example of a poorly tone mapped image.​

X.0 Who am I to talk?

Flick

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