Automotive photographer
A sport, a passion
Car photography is a fusion of two loves: that of the image and that of the automotive world. Most photographers are freelancers, but above all they are enthusiasts who have succeeded in turning their devotion into a vocation. In France, Belgium and Luxembourg, the best automotive photographers share their emotions and points of view through their professional shots.
Automotive photography is as exciting as it is diverse. In fact, it encompasses several genres, such as racing, rally, reportage, portrait and event photography, not to mention advertising.
Motorsport photographers
When you're a fan of car racing, such as Formula 1 (F1) or Formula E (FE), it's hard not to notice the professionals up close to the action and the tracks. These "lucky ones" have the access to make us dream with their photos.
Photographers need to be accredited in order to take the shots that thrill all motor enthusiasts. This enables them to position themselves in key locations: the "good spots" that will give them the best image.
Armed with professional equipment: cameras with good autofocus (so as not to lose focus on the subject) and very long focal length lenses (so as to detach the car from the background), they bring their eye to bear and create unique views.
Racing cars are driven at full speed, and this sense of speed needs to be transposed into images. These workers of the visual world have made this their strength, and often share it with us through the use of "filé" effects.
This method consists of detaching the subject from the background, and highlighting it. The focus is on the car, and the impression of speed is obtained by following (often sideways) the moving vehicle.
But their work doesn't stop there. These photographers are also true journalists. They document the behind-the-scenes life of racing drivers, through portraits and photos in the paddocks. So they know how to play with different photo genres and techniques.
Rally photographers
From a photographic point of view, it's easy to compare rallying and circuit racing.
Indeed, the approaches and skills are very similar.
You need to be an outstanding technician to showcase the drivers and cars.
For professional rallies, the conditions for access and photography are the same as for circuit-side photographers. Accreditation is required.
It's a bit different with tourist rallies, or "old timers" rallies.
Organizers often hire a dedicated photographer for their communications and to provide participants with high-quality, professional images.
This photographer is paid by the organization and takes photos of the various stages, backstage, events and parties. The main focus is on the participants.
Advertising photographer
Whether taken in the studio, on location or on the spot, advertising photography is a demanding discipline in the automotive world.
To bring out the best in the bodywork, the curves of the car and the details requires a masterful, well-prepared approach.
In the studio, you need a space, a background and lights specifically for automotive photography. Lighting is quite complex: it has to emphasize the model and the lines of the car. The photographer must master everything and be technically impeccable.
When shooting outdoors, several parameters need to be taken into account:
The location, which defines the final photo. For example, we'll shoot a 4x4 in a desert, and a city car in a street.
But there's also the weather, which can be fickle, and has a major influence on luminosity. In this case, the photographer compensates with professional lighting.
Shooting is very important, but so is post-production. It allows us to eliminate small defects and enhance the car. This is where retouching comes into its own, to create the perfect final image.
Automotive photography is a vast world. It's demanding, technical and fascinating. More than a profession, more than a sport, car photography is made by enthusiasts for enthusiasts.
If you're a car lover, you too can share your emotions with our professional photographers.