Mercedes-Benz 300SL

A personal project inside a simple garage in Venlo, Limburg, the Netherlands.

This was my second automotive shoot and I wanted to try something different compared to my previous work, (which was generally lit in/by a spray booth using the existing fluorescent lights and some extra continuous fresnels. I might upload it).

Looking at the distinct shapes and lines of this beautiful car, I was seeking for a moody and contrasty look and feel to enhance it's distinct shape and features.

Since I do not have the luxury of a studio or my own expansive studio lighting, I lit this picture inside a garage, with a handheld studio strobe from (obviously) different angles.
Hard lighting was used for the colours and a little “pop”. Furthermore, i used my small softbox for the shadows and curves of the body.

Apart from all that; the set-up was pretty straight forward, camera mounted on tripod, Fuji EF-42 triggering my handheld Jinbei MII-250 strobe. (I know, an upgrade would serve me well)

After masking the car in photoshop to get rid of the brick wall behind it, I started adding layers containing the different lighting positions.
No repositioning, mirroring or warping were made, this car was crafted by hand and I thought it would do the car justice to preserve it's original shape and form.