Advice for capturing swirl marks and scratches on camera?!?!

BrianMN · 11-28-2010, 03:48 PM

Hey guys,

So I'm having trouble capturing poor paint conditions on camera, particularly when trying to get 50/50 shots of before/after. The swirl marks, scratches and imperfections are WAY worse seen in person compared to how they turn out on camera. I'm using a Sony A55 SLR, which is not the nicest SLR but still a very respectable one.

I've tried playing with different lighting, such as flourescent ceiling lights, 2 halogen lights, LED flashlights and sunlight and still cannot get them looking as bad as some of the 'before' shots of pictures in this section. The camera's flash doesn't seem to help much at all.

Can you give me any advice that will help capture this on film? I would greatly appreciate it!

Below are some of the bad paint conditions I'm referring to...that are MUCH worse in person.

Buegie · 11-28-2010, 09:02 PM

using a tripod would probably help. Are you focusing manually? If not, the camera is probably trying to autofocus to make the reflections (ie the overhead lights) as sharp as possible, which is not what you want. You want the lens to be focused on the surface of the paint. Try playing with the focus manually and you'll probably get better results.

bluespeed117 · 11-29-2010, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buegie

using a tripod would probably help. Are you focusing manually? If not, the camera is probably trying to autofocus to make the reflections (ie the overhead lights) as sharp as possible, which is not what you want. You want the lens to be focused on the surface of the paint. Try playing with the focus manually and you'll probably get better results.

what he said. Most of your photos focus on the light rather than the paint. Do a manual focus on the paint and it should pop up.

Envious Eric · 11-29-2010, 12:53 AM

I used to take everything in auto focus...pictures looked like those...

I switched to manual focus and its a world of difference! I still have a lot to go, but play with manual focus a bit

Jean-Claude · 11-29-2010, 09:33 AM

You need to shoot into that halogens lighting. Those fluorescent lights don't show swirls well.

:

smack · 11-29-2010, 12:50 PM

You can also try putting your finger next to the spot you want and focus on your finger.

BrianMN · 11-29-2010, 02:17 PM

Thanks for the advice guys! That all sounds right, the camera is focusing on the light not on the paint surface. I will try out the new tips! The manual focusing makes perfect sense!

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 11-29-2010, 03:53 PM

Use the halogen lights and manual focus FTW!

bluespeed117 · 11-30-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPSlick

Use the halogen lights and manual focus FTW!

nice avatar

11-28-2010, 03:48 PM	#1
BrianMN Banned 114 Rep 2,428 Posts Drives: 4 Door Family Sedan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (7)	Advice for capturing swirl marks and scratches on camera?!?! Hey guys, So I'm having trouble capturing poor paint conditions on camera, particularly when trying to get 50/50 shots of before/after. The swirl marks, scratches and imperfections are WAY worse seen in person compared to how they turn out on camera. I'm using a Sony A55 SLR, which is not the nicest SLR but still a very respectable one. I've tried playing with different lighting, such as flourescent ceiling lights, 2 halogen lights, LED flashlights and sunlight and still cannot get them looking as bad as some of the 'before' shots of pictures in this section. The camera's flash doesn't seem to help much at all. Can you give me any advice that will help capture this on film? I would greatly appreciate it! Below are some of the bad paint conditions I'm referring to...that are MUCH worse in person. Attached Images Last edited by BrianMN; 11-28-2010 at 07:50 PM.. Reason: typos
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11-28-2010, 09:02 PM	#2
Buegie Captain 48 Rep 714 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CT/DC iTrader: (2)	using a tripod would probably help. Are you focusing manually? If not, the camera is probably trying to autofocus to make the reflections (ie the overhead lights) as sharp as possible, which is not what you want. You want the lens to be focused on the surface of the paint. Try playing with the focus manually and you'll probably get better results. __________________ Black Dakota \| Aluminum \| Sport \| Premium \| Cold \| iDrive \| CA
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11-29-2010, 12:53 AM	#4
Envious Eric Banned 37 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	I used to take everything in auto focus...pictures looked like those... I switched to manual focus and its a world of difference! I still have a lot to go, but play with manual focus a bit
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11-29-2010, 09:33 AM	#5
Jean-Claude Banned 1 Rep 168 Posts Drives: m3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	You need to shoot into that halogens lighting. Those fluorescent lights don't show swirls well. :
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11-29-2010, 12:50 PM	#6
smack Lieutenant Colonel 34 Rep 1,569 Posts Drives: BMW's/Flex Polishers Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spangdahlem Germany iTrader: (0)	You can also try putting your finger next to the spot you want and focus on your finger.
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11-29-2010, 02:17 PM	#7
BrianMN Banned 114 Rep 2,428 Posts Drives: 4 Door Family Sedan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (7)	Thanks for the advice guys! That all sounds right, the camera is focusing on the light not on the paint surface. I will try out the new tips! The manual focusing makes perfect sense!
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11-29-2010, 03:53 PM	#8
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3441 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	Use the halogen lights and manual focus FTW!
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