[Joe_E]

Hey guys, recently got into automotive photography, want to go out and take more pictures of my car. Looking for some new places to go to. Any suggestions around the LA area? SoCal areas in general would be awesome! Thanks in advance

[TokyoCarGuy]

I live in Japan but been to SoCal a few times, For automotive photography I'd recommend PCH, Malibu Canyons, and here:




I don't know where this is, but the backdrop of Downtown LA at sunset could win you prizes in automotive photography...

I also did a photoshoot of Penske Mustang GT I was renting at San Diego Harbor. Epic location! (I pretty much sucked at photography 3 years ago, when I shot this, but at least it will give you an idea of the location)





I am officially jealous of car photographers in Cali. Tokyo is really challenging in this regard, and as soon as you find something there is gonna be a goon security guard trying to kick you out...

Basically to make a good backdrop your best friends are open roads, old buildings, wide spaces, mountains, and sunset/sunrise

your enemies are trees, grass, power lines, other cars and any time between 10am and late afternoon. Have fun. post some shots if you get a chance

[Joe_E]

Originally Posted by TokyoCarGuy

I live in Japan but been to SoCal a few times, For automotive photography I'd recommend PCH, Malibu Canyons, and here:




I don't know where this is, but the backdrop of Downtown LA at sunset could win you prizes in automotive photography...

I also did a photoshoot of Penske Mustang GT I was renting at San Diego Harbor. Epic location! (I pretty much sucked at photography 3 years ago, when I shot this, but at least it will give you an idea of the location)





I am officially jealous of car photographers in Cali. Tokyo is really challenging in this regard, and as soon as you find something there is gonna be a goon security guard trying to kick you out...

Basically to make a good backdrop your best friends are open roads, old buildings, wide spaces, mountains, and sunset/sunrise

your enemies are trees, grass, power lines, other cars and any time between 10am and late afternoon. Have fun. post some shots if you get a chance

Sweet! Thanks for the spots, ive seen the la drop pic area before. Just need to find it again

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Joe_E

Sweet! Thanks for the spots, ive seen the la drop pic area before. Just need to find it again

The problem is you can't stop on most of those really iconic looking LA bridges. That top pic is the west bound 1st street bridge:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0482...7i13312!8i6656

But not far from there is the Mission St spot:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0488...7i13312!8i6656

I've taken a few photos from there:

BMW F80 M3 - Downtown LA by JMG, on Flickr


F80 M3 - Los Angeles by JMG, on Flickr

Insomniac 2 by JMG, on Flickr

Another popular spot is on Lower Grand

BMW 340i M Sport ZTR by JMG, on Flickr

And in and around the Arts District has some graffiti:

BMW E36 M3 by JMG, on Flickr


Then there's under the 6th St Bridge, but that will be going away soon, if not gone already:

VW Bug - 6th St Bridge Los Angeles by JMG, on Flickr

On the other side of the bridge, there is an industrial area with lots of spots if you get creative.

BMW F80 M3 - Arts District Rolling Shot by JMG, on Flickr


If you are willing to take a drive, go up one of several canyon roads. Here's one from San Gabriel Canyon Road:

Canyon Fog by JMG, on Flickr

Note that most of the LA areas are not too safe to go alone. Bring a friend... or 2.


EDIT: Just followed u on IG. What gear r u using?

[Joe_E]

Originally Posted by jmg

The problem is you can't stop on most of those really iconic looking LA bridges. That top pic is the west bound 1st street bridge:

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0482...7i13312!8i6656

But not far from there is the Mission St spot:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0488...7i13312!8i6656

I've taken a few photos from there:

BMW F80 M3 - Downtown LA by JMG, on Flickr


F80 M3 - Los Angeles by JMG, on Flickr

Insomniac 2 by JMG, on Flickr

Another popular spot is on Lower Grand

BMW 340i M Sport ZTR by JMG, on Flickr

And in and around the Arts District has some graffiti:

BMW E36 M3 by JMG, on Flickr


Then there's under the 6th St Bridge, but that will be going away soon, if not gone already:

VW Bug - 6th St Bridge Los Angeles by JMG, on Flickr

On the other side of the bridge, there is an industrial area with lots of spots if you get creative.

BMW F80 M3 - Arts District Rolling Shot by JMG, on Flickr


If you are willing to take a drive, go up one of several canyon roads. Here's one from San Gabriel Canyon Road:

Canyon Fog by JMG, on Flickr

Note that most of the LA areas are not too safe to go alone. Bring a friend... or 2.


EDIT: Just followed u on IG. What gear r u using?

Thats what i usually do when i go to La. Most of the time I don't even drive because of the conditions of the road. Nikon d7200 18-140mm lens.

[TokyoCarGuy]

I just followed both of you on IG! Nice shots guys, make me miss SoCal so much!! Can someone hire me there lol

[metrickid]

You don't need the EPIC spot to take great shots you just need to be creative with the composition.

[SROC3]

but the EPIC spots do help ...........


View to Santa Barbara from the 154 highway

Santa Barbara by pllim08, on Flickr

Winery in Solvang, CA

Solvang Winery M4 by pllim08, on Flickr

"Rim of the World Highway" - on the way to Lake Arrowhead

M4 Valley Sunrise by P.L. L, on Flickr

Angeles Crest Highway

911 and M4 - Angeles Crest by P.L. L, on Flickr

Pacific Coast Highway - Point Mugu

Point Mugu Lookout by P.L. L, on Flickr

[jmg]

Originally Posted by SROC3

[url=https://flic.kr/p/CEjng1]
"Rim of the World Highway" - on the way to Lake Arrowhead

M4 Valley Sunrise by P.L. L, on Flickr

I've been meaning to go back there with the M3, but It's just so far. I'd love to time it so the fog is just right. You can literally be on top of the clouds up there. How's the M handle in icy conditions?

[Joe_E]

Originally Posted by jmg

I've been meaning to go back there with the M3, but It's just so far. I'd love to time it so the fog is just right. You can literally be on top of the clouds up there. How's the M handle in icy conditions?

Where is this picture taken at?

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by SROC3

but the EPIC spots do help ...........

I would say the opposite, people tend to miss out on composition instead just because they think the epic location will solve everything. This is if you want to improve your photography skills though, if you just want to snap some "nice pictures" it will do just fine with a nice view...

[jmg]

Originally Posted by metrickid

I would say the opposite, people tend to miss out on composition instead just because they think the epic location will solve everything. This is if you want to improve your photography skills though, if you just want to snap some "nice pictures" it will do just fine with a nice view...

Agreed. I need work on my composition.

[Snoball M3]

[Snoball M3]

Good options in here

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by jmg

Agreed. I need work on my composition.

It's hard!

I was at a professional shoot for a car manufacturer earlier this year and the attention to detail is what makes the photo. Where I just park the car and walk around to snap they moved the car to align with the shadows between shots.

I think 15k shots were taken and about 90 were used, and this was at epic locations too

[angelr]

Originally Posted by Joe_E

Where is this picture taken at?

Near my house Drive it everyday and my son's school is perched up on that road with a stunning view.

Rim of the world highway, hwy18 to crestline, arrowhead and big bear in the mountains above san bernadino