Critique Required Test Drive(s)

[Brian Moore]

As I mentioned in a previous post I had picked up a Canon EOS M2 to have as a small, lightweight back up to my 6D. For a couple of days I've been test driving a 2017 Civic Hatchback. (Not yet released for sale here in the US, although official images have been made public.) So I thought I would give the M2 a test drive as well, and also figured I'd make an attempt to emulate the look of automobile product photography.

I'd appreciate any criticism you may have.













I kept forgetting to turn the camera off before getting back in the car and with it hanging around my neck and the screen rubbing against my tummy I accidentally snapped the following shots via the touchscreen shot function. One of the complaints about the first generation EOS M was its slow focus. Canon tried to fix this with the M2. It seems to me it picked up focus pretty good in the belly shots. (Although Canon clearly needs to put work on the camera's ability to compose.)

 

[Pete Askew]

Well I can see from the first image at least that Honda are clearly going for the executive market. Well, who said all executives were successful!

Seriously though, that's one fine set of images and the camera seems to have performed very well (as did the belly-pod - I guess the damping helped in a moving vehicle ). I think you emulated the auto technique well, especially in the second shot. I'd liked to have seen a touch more space in front in the shot in front of the cranes though I think.

 

[Brian Moore]

I guess the damping helped in a moving vehicle

It's why I drink beer!

I'd liked to have seen a touch more space in front in the shot in front of the cranes though I think.

Thanks for your comments Pete. Here are a couple more with space in front. I'd appreciate your feedback. Much appreciated.

 

[Pete Askew]

Now I see why you excluded it. That barrier rather spoils the composition doesn't it?

 

[Brian Moore]

Now I see why you excluded it. That barrier rather spoils the composition doesn't it?

Yes. If I had had more time I could have moved the car further away from the barrier but my time was limited and it was just a lark anyway. Thanks for your feedback, Pete.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Well, Brian, as you know, I'm not a car person. But I prefer these shots, generally, over the super-slick variety we usually see. There's a certain grittiness here that I like. Good series.

 

[Brian Moore]

Well, Brian, as you know, I'm not a car person. But I prefer these shots, generally, over the super-slick variety we usually see. There's a certain grittiness here that I like. Good series.

Thanks Rob,...much appreciated.

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

I see your point about the back up camera and of course there are plenty out there to choose from. It is actually more a matter of liking. Speaking of liking, I like the car and how you have presented it. They are far too many to comment on, but I liked 5 and six the most Brian. Seems like a small nice car.

 

[Brian Moore]

I see your point about the back up camera and of course there are plenty out there to choose from. It is actually more a matter of liking. Speaking of liking, I like the car and how you have presented it. They are far too many to comment on, but I liked 5 and six the most Brian. Seems like a small nice car.

Thank you Ivar. Much appreciated.

 

[Milan Vjestica]

I like number 5. Also in the first shot of the second set where you get the reflection of the sun on the grille would you consider a square crop and clone of the mast of the crane behind leaving the car in the bottom left corner? Just a thought.

A shallower DOF may help make the car the focus of the image.

I like the "industrial" setting and the "grittiness" as Rob put it. More real world and appealing to me.

 

[Brian Moore]

I like number 5. Also in the first shot of the second set where you get the reflection of the sun on the grille would you consider a square crop and clone of the mast of the crane behind leaving the car in the bottom left corner? Just a thought.

A shallower DOF may help make the car the focus of the image.

I like the "industrial" setting and the "grittiness" as Rob put it. More real world and appealing to me.

Thank you for your considered critique, Milan. Regarding the square crop and cloning the mast of the crane I've spent a few moments trying to visualize your suggestion. Did you intend to say "clone OUT the mast of the crane behind"? I can see that working.

As to the shallower DOF I agree with you. (I never thought of that at the time.)

Thanks Milan!

 

[Brian Moore]

I like number 5. Also in the first shot of the second set where you get the reflection of the sun on the grille would you consider a square crop and clone of the mast of the crane behind leaving the car in the bottom left corner? Just a thought.

A shallower DOF may help make the car the focus of the image.

I like the "industrial" setting and the "grittiness" as Rob put it. More real world and appealing to me.

Well this is my attempt, @Milan Vjestica . It's not precisely square and it lack a degree of cloning expertise but I think this may emulate what you suggested. What do you think? Thanks again.

 

[Dave Farnes]

That is a great set of picures, they have the feel of product photography you were looking for to me. Particularly like 1 and 4, the modern shiny car against the rusting industrial backdrops works very well.

Really like the first of your "accidental" ones too. The lines and angles of the car against that wonderful sky color look good. Hang that in a modern art gallery and no one would suspect it was not intentional.

 

[Milan Vjestica]

Hi Brian,

That is in line with my thinking. Sorry I missed the "out" in my comment earlier. The car is now more the focal point of the image.

As for DOF, we all do that. When shooting some of the jousting I had my camera set up for landscape not sports.

 

[Brian Moore]

That is a great set of picures, they have the feel of product photography you were looking for to me. Particularly like 1 and 4, the modern shiny car against the rusting industrial backdrops works very well.

Really like the first of your "accidental" ones too. The lines and angles of the car against that wonderful sky color look good. Hang that in a modern art gallery and no one would suspect it was not intentional.

Thanks you Dave. I appreciate your comments.

Hi Brian,

That is in line with my thinking. Sorry I missed the "out" in my comment earlier. The car is now more the focal point of the image.

As for DOF, we all do that. When shooting some of the jousting I had my camera set up for landscape not sports.

Thanks Milan. Much appreciated.