Posts Tagged ‘automobile’

EVgo – Charging Cars in Chantilly

EVgo charging station in Chantilly, Virginia ©TimeLIne Media

Chantilly, Virginia

EVgo opened its 800th location for charging cars in its growing network. Electric cars are certainly more prevalent on our roadways. While their adoption is faster, it is the infrastructure to support them has also grown as quickly. It is a ‘chicken or the egg’ question where both needed to be built to sustain the other. With this in mind, these electric chargers have been opening in many fueling stations, and shopping centers in our area.

EVgo charging station in Chantilly, Virginia ©TimeLIne Media

At this time, EVgo wanted me to make some images of their location at the Sheetz in Chantilly. Appropriately, this is in the middle of a high technology section of the Dulles Corridor. To be sure, this station was where many commuters going to work in data centers and other technology companies in the area stop with their electric vehicles. Luckily, they had some electric cars available to be placed by the chargers.

EVgo charging station in Chantilly, Virginia ©TimeLIne Media

While we were waiting for all the cars to arrive, I was able to see some behind-the-scenes of EVgo charging stations. A technician was putting the finishing touches prior to their opening. He described how he is traveling the country installing these stations, and he was definitely familiar with how to get these online.

man charging and electric car ©TimeLine Media

Prior to leaving the station, I also made some images with people using the chargers. It was here that I tried to stretch more lighting to bring out their faces and make the action a little clearer. In due time, this will be a familiar scene as electric cars become more the norm, and gasoline is the anomaly!

man charging and electric car ©TimeLine Media

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Race Cars – Summit Point, WV

©TimeLine Media - racing at Summit Point Raceway

I have a date with the dental chair today, so I cannot stay long online. There were some orders that I needed to place, and this event was just adjacent to them, so here you go! Some race cars on the track at Summit Point Raceway. Periodically, I take photos when at the track to see family or friends racing. The assignment is similar to ballroom dancing – lots of skill, action, and color – perfect for dynamic photos!

Porsche during a race at Summit Point Raceway ©TimeLine Media
Porsche during a race at Summit Point Raceway ©TimeLine Media

Photo Technique

On this occasion, I practice the technique for panning the camera. At this time, the sun was very bright at the track. So I could have used the fastest shutter speed to capture the cars on the track. However, this would result in photos that would just look like cars parked on the track. For example, if you take a photo with a very fast shutter speed, the tires and the background would be completed sharp. If you lower the shutter speed, and pan the camera as the cars go by, you can add some sense of motion to the photos. Let me know what you think about these -enjoy!

©TimeLine Media - racing at Summit Point Raceway
©TimeLine Media – racing at Summit Point Raceway
©TimeLine Media - racing at Summit Point Raceway
Racing at Summit Point Raceway ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Rapid Box Flash on Car

©TimeLine Media - Viper GTS details

After experimenting with my own car, I took my Rapid Box to photograph another, more exciting model, a Dodge Viper GTS. This would be another chance to try the Westcott Rapid Box as my new flash modifier. Photographing car details with this setup is very easy! The portability of the Rapid Box as well a small speedlight means that you can put the flash in a small space and still use some sort of light modifier to make the light softer. This allows for lighter area to fall into shadow nicely which helps to block out distracting elements in garage from being seen in the photo. Combine that with a macro or short lens, and you can really focus in on details.

Details

©TimeLine Media - Viper GTS details
©TimeLine Media – Viper GTS details

In this first photo, the flash allows you to control the light and give it a little shape. The light fades slightly from the top right to the bottom left, framing the letters. The addition of flash instead of using available light means I can hand hold the camera and adjust quickly than if stuck on a tripod. The ISO is also at the lowest setting on the camera meaning the color is still vivid and true compared to higher ISOs.

©TimeLine Media - Viper GTS details
©TimeLine Media – Viper GTS details

Again using a small softbox, you can get soft light in a tight spaces. The light still shapes the area under the flared out lid at the rear above the tail light. This is something that is very difficult to do without a light shaper in front of your flash. All of these photos of the car details can be put into a compilation poster to give an overall picture of the car. You may have seen it in a previous post. Try it with your car and let me know how it goes!

©TimeLine Media - Viper GTS details
©TimeLine Media – Viper GTS details

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208