• Up close photos of a car's unique features make for good images.classic car image by Mariusz Blach from Fotolia.com
  
  Shooting photos of cars is not completely unlike photographing people. Cars have a good side, too. To show off an automobile effectively and accentuate the best of its design, there are several factors to take into consideration. Following some basic tips for producing attractive car photos will set your prints apart from casual snapshots.
  
  

Three-Quarter Framing

• The three-quarter shot is one of the best ways to capture the image of a car in a photo. Accomplish this angle by crouching low near one of the front corners of the car and filling the frame with the body of the car, according to ConnectedPhotographer.com. Try shooting the photo at headlight level and then try the same angle from a standing position to compare results. Depending on the desired use of the photo, the latter may be more appealing.
  
  This view of a car in a photo will reveal a lot of detail in the grill and headlight areas and will give the viewer a nice overall look at the car. You can take the same approach from a rear corner to reveal the appeal of the rear design. Avoid shooting a car head-on, because much of the car will not be visible in the finished product.
  
  

Unique Details

• If the car has a unique design feature, such as the hood ornament on the Jaguar or the continental kit on the rear of a classic Lincoln, use it as the focal point of the photo. Take a close photo of the object that identifies the car and forget about trying to get the entire car in the shot. A photo of the chrome Jaguar, for example, surrounded by the shiny paint of the hood and some blue sky in the background may be more dramatic than a wide-angle photo of the entire car.
  
  

Midday Photos

• Avoid shooting photos of cars in the middle of the day, if possible. Unfortunately, some prime opportunities for car photos, such as at an auto show, may require you to get the picture while you can.
  
  If you can't avoid shooting when the sun is high above the subject, pop on a flash to fill in the shadows, according to the Car Photo Tutorials website. The harsh shadows cast around the car as the sun beats down can detract from the beauty of the print, but the fill flash will soften or eliminate the shadows, making high noon a suitable time to photograph.
  
  

Polarizing Filters

• Polarizing filters are common accessories for most SLR cameras. Unless you are using a point and shoot camera, get a polarizing filter before shooting serious car photos. A polarizing filter screws onto the end of your lens and brings out the best in paint colors and details. It also helps eliminate reflections in windshields, which can be distracting in some photos.