Need help with retouching car photos

[dv8ed]

I havnt really seen much on this. I have been shooting cars for a dealership's website. And as time goes by my photos have be getting stale. Im filling a bit lost and need your help. Could I get some ideas for you guys?? I would love to see what you can do with this.This photo is on flicker just click it and download full size if you would like. Im making a desktop wallpaper out of it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dv8ed/1...768" alt="BMW"

[Dave.Cox]

Your link doesn't seem to be working.

[chillin]

Do you mean this http://www.flickr.com/photos/dv8ed/1294239348/

[CathyH]

hey I just played with some blurs and darkened the forground. I didn't know if you normally keep the background.

[sjlarue]

W/ Swampy's help, i just did this to a different car:

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...chopachopa.jpg

To clarify, the background was used to compare it to another car. Swampy guided me on how to merge the lightning pic on there. The car was originally cherry red.

I'm sure you could "repaint" your car.
Later

[Alison]

Originally Posted by dv8ed

I havnt really seen much on this. I have been shooting cars for a dealership's website. And as time goes by my photos have be getting stale. Im filling a bit lost and need your help. Could I get some ideas for you guys?? I would love to see what you can do with this.This photo is on flicker just click it and download full size if you would like. Im making a desktop wallpaper out of it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dv8ed/1...768" alt="BMW"

Hi dv,

I'd consider leaving a little more space around the car, unless you have already tightly cropped this.

My effort is below. I would also consider not using such drab scenery next time

Used selective colour to bring out the red more. Used the high pass filter to sharpen the car, then used the high pass filter to blur the background a little bit. Used curves as well.

[junkman]

Is this the look you are going for?

this is that over the top "perfect" image look you see alot today on car dealer websites.

What I did

I repainted the car using brushes to get rid of the glare.

Darkened the windows and painted highlights.

Made a window for the driver side

Elarged the hood curve just a bit.

Used the burn and doge tools to darken and lighten areas on the car.

sharpened the front tire

and so on.

No real special tricks just alot of small enhancing.

[dv8ed]

Junkman what you did was crazy it looks really great. know I know what to shoot for. You wouldin happen to know where I can find a tutorial on what you did. I would love to learn

[junkman]

I may not know everything in photoshop but with 10 years of doing photo editing i have picked up a few tricks here and there.
soon i will have video tutorials showing how i do what i do. I quikly edited your photo, cuz i dont have all day to play. (I wish i did) . But i love cars so i had to edit your photo. Basicaly I used the brush tool and layers. I will start posting videos in the tutorials soon. i will let you know when i get them up

[sjlarue]

How About This? Constructive criticism please.

This was fun.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...rue/BMWFin.jpg