Whether you’re in a professional studio or snapping shots from the comfort of your own home, taking pictures of your diecast model cars is a creative and entertaining hobby. Because of their beauty and craftsmanship, model cars are an excellent subject for photography—even first-time photographers can create breathtaking shots with a few tips and tricks. Find out how to take stunning photos of your diecast model cars with these simple yet effective tricks.
The Perks of Photographing Your Collection
Diecast model cars are authentic replicas of real vehicles. Each model features an impressive amount of faithful detail to make it an exact model of the original car. A model car is a work of art, which makes it perfect for a photo shoot. The right lighting, angles, and background can turn any scale vehicle into a gallery-worthy photo.
There are several reasons why car enthusiasts would want to photograph their collection of diecast models. Photography is a great way to document your collection and create even more art from your love of cars. It’s also fun to share pictures on social media or blogs. Alternatively, you might just want to practice your photography skills with a small, stationary subject.
Finally, high-quality photographs are useful if you want to sell your collection. The better your photography skills are, the more attractive your model car looks to potential buyers.
Find the Right Equipment
Like with any skill, an important part of photography is gathering the right equipment—the tools you need will depend on what kind of photo you want to take. If you’re just getting into photography or don’t need professional-grade pictures, a smartphone camera will likely deliver the quality you need. If you want superior quality and more room to experiment with settings like focus, aperture, and exposure, a DSLR camera will best suit your needs.
Cameras aren’t the only photography equipment to think about, though. Tripods are great for keeping your camera steady and letting you shoot hands-free. Lighting is an important element as well; if you’re working indoors, you might want to set up lamps or other light sources to make sure your shot is properly illuminated. Studio lighting rigs are also a worthwhile investment for a professional approach.
Opt for Landscape Over Portrait
Cars are long, not tall. One simple yet essential tip for taking photos of your diecast model cars is to shoot horizontally rather than vertically. Shooting vertically creates a portrait composition that leaves a lot of empty space above or below the model car. Landscape compositions, on the other hand, make better use of your space and put more focus on the car rather than the space around it.
Use Angles To Bring Your Model to Life
The right angle highlights all the best parts of your model car. A three-quarter front angle is great for capturing the length of your car while highlighting the sleek body and attentive details. Low angles are also best for complementing the scale of your model car and creating a realistic, dramatic shot.
That said, the only way to find the right angle for your shoot is to experiment. Do you need a slightly elevated angle to show off the model’s leather interior? Does a rear angle better evoke the speed and power of your vehicle? Keep adjusting a few degrees in every direction to find the sweet spot for your photo shoot.
The Closer You Are, the More Detail You See
One of the best things about diecast model cars is how authentic they are—each model is a faithful and precise replica of the original vehicle. If you shoot your model cars from far away, all the fine detail and craftsmanship goes to waste.
Getting in close or using a quality zoom lens helps you capture more of the beauty and detail of your diecast model car. Additionally, a larger subject commands more attention, so people looking at your photo will appreciate your car without getting distracted by elements in your backdrop.
Avoid Backlighting
You’ll also want to experiment with lighting. Different lighting angles highlight different parts of the model car. However, try to avoid backlit shots; when your light source is behind your subject, the bright light will mess with your camera’s exposure. As a result, your model car will look too dark or just become a shadowy silhouette.
When you’re aware of the light in your shooting space, you can use it to your advantage to create the perfect shot. Balancing dramatic, low-light shots alongside clean, well-illuminated photos gives you complete creative control over the look and feel of your photography.
Don’t Get Lost in the Background
Your backdrop creates a setting for your model car. While you can add anything you want to your background, it’s important to make sure the setting matches the tone of your photo. Using a solid, neutral color like white or gray creates a clean, professional look for your photo shoot. Other solid color backdrops can evoke different moods or emotions without pulling focus from your model car.
You can get creative with your backgrounds by adding textures, props, and other details. However, too many background features can detract from the beauty and detail of your subject. If your model car is the main subject of your shot, make sure it gets the most attention by utilizing a simple background.
Remember Your Scaling
Another crucial background tip is to make sure all the elements of your background match the scale of your car. For example, say you want to take a photo of your car in the grass. Setting your model car in your front yard will turn even short blades of grass into a jungle. If you want certain details or textures in your shot, make sure they suit the size of your diecast model.
Have Fun With It!
The only way to improve your photography skills is to keep practicing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with lighting, positioning, backgrounds, and other details until you have the photo you want. If you want to get even more creative, try building your own sets, playing with reflective surfaces, or learning your way around picture editing software. Not every photo will be a masterpiece, but experimenting with new ideas and tools is a great way to grow your skills and have fun along the way.
Are you looking for new model cars to photograph and add to your collection? LiveCarModel offers an extensive range of authentic replicas—check out our collection of Audi diecast model cars and other quality options when you visit us today.
