All-new BMW M3 Touring Photographed at Knockhill Race Track. My First time photographing a car on a racetrack.

As an automotive photographer I've always been excited to photograph the latest and greatest cars but when I heard that the all-new BMW M3 Touring was coming out…….. I knew that we had to do something out the box for this car. It’s particularly special because it marks the first time in nearly 40 years that the iconic BMW M3 has been offered as an estate (Touring) car and I wanted to show this evolution by capturing all previous generations of M3s in the same photoshoot.

To make this happen I reached out to my man and BMW enthusiast Omar who was able to source all the previous generations of the M3 for me. This included the E36 Evo, E90, and F80 which we brought to the photoshoot location at Knockhill Racing Circuit. Exciting day let me tell you.

Me showing the guys the shotl list. Omar in the black hat and blue jacket - shoot wouldn’t have happened without him.

As we arrived at the location, I was eager to start shooting the M3 Touring. I had brought along two of my favourite camera bodies, the Canon R5 and the Canon R6 and a bunch of lenses to capture the car from different angles. I also had the new DJI Mavic 3 with me, which I planned to use to capture some aerial shots of the car. (I also crashed this during one of the shots!) We had also enlisted Project21 to detail the cars - I couldn’t trust anyone else but Gav for this shoot.

Gavin from Project21 Detailing working on the cars.

To help me get the perfect shot we had the help of legendary racing driver Gordon Shedden. Shedden is a three-time British Touring Car Champion and I knew that he would be able to drive the M3 Touring in a way that would really show off its capabilities.

Gordon Shedden three-time British Touring Car Champion in the new BMW M3 Touring at Knockhill.

We started off by taking some traditional shots of the M3 Touring from different angles. I wanted to capture the car's sporty design while also showing off its practicality as an estate car. The Canon R5 & R6 were perfect for this - allowing me to get sharp, detailed shots from different focal lengths. (I actually use the R6 for all my video work.)

All-new BMW M3 Touring going round Knockhill race circuit.

Once we had taken some traditional shots, we moved on to more creative shots. I wanted to show the M3 Touring in action so we had Shedden drive the car around the track at high speeds. This allowed me to capture some amazing action shots of the car, with its wheels spinning and the engine roaring. I was particularly happy with the shots that I captured using the Canon R5's awesome high-speed burst mode, which allowed me to capture multiple shots in quick succession.

Thats me Kabir, I look like I’m about to fall.

After we had captured some decent shots of the M3 Touring, we moved on to the previous generations of M3s that Omar had sourced for us. I was excited to have these iconic cars alongside the latest M3 Touring as it would allow me to show how the M3 has evolved over the years. We positioned the cars in a row with the M3 Touring at the front and the previous generations behind it and boom!

I used a variety of techniques to capture the previous generations of M3s. For the E36, I wanted to capture the car's angular lines and aggressive styling so I used a combination of low-angle shots and close-ups to highlight the car's details. For the E90, I focused on capturing the car's boxy lines, using high-angle shots and close-ups to showcase the car's features. For the F80 - I wanted to show the car's modern design, so I used a combination of low-angle shots and wide-angle shots to highlight the car's shape.

As always I was impressed by the capabilities of the Canon R5 and R6. These cameras are some of the best on the market with high resolution, fast autofocus, and excellent image speeds and in challenging lighting conditions. The DJI Mavic 3 was also a great addition to my gear allowing me to capture stunning aerial shots of the M3 Touring and the previous generations of M3s.

As the photoshoot came to an end I was thrilled with the shots that we had captured. I knew that these photos would be a great addition to my portfolio, and I couldn't wait to share them with the world.

Being able to capture the evolution of this iconic car was a real privilege and having Gordon Shedden drive the car for us was the icing on the cake. I hope these photos will be a great addition to my portfolio and I'm excited to see them being shared across social media and other platforms!

Thanks to the team on the day:

Omar – BMW F80

John – BMW E36

Lucas – BMW E90

John – BMW M3 Touring

Neil - Assistant & BTS photographer

Gav - Project21 Detailing

You can see the full set of images here - https://www.kabizzz.com/#/2023-bmw-m3touring-car-photography-at-knockhill/

How to Become a Car Photographer 8 Top Tips in 2023.

As a car photographer, you have the opportunity to capture the beauty of the world's most impressive vehicles. Whether you're shooting a classic Ferrari or a new Tesla car photography is a challenging and rewarding field that requires a combination of technical skill, creativity, and passion. In this blog post, we'll provide some tips and advice on how to become a successful car photographer.

1. Develop your technical skills

The first step in becoming a car photographer is to develop a strong understanding of photography techniques. This includes learning about composition, lighting, and camera settings. Start by experimenting with different angles, lighting setups, and camera settings to see what works best for different types of vehicles. As you gain more experience, you'll learn how to capture the unique characteristics of different cars and make them look their best in your photos.

2. Invest in high-quality equipment

To take great car photos, you'll need high-quality equipment. This includes a camera, lenses, and accessories like tripods and reflectors. While you don't need the most expensive equipment to get started, it's important to invest in gear that will give you the best results. Look for cameras that offer high resolution and fast shutter speeds, as well as lenses that are designed for shooting fast-moving subjects.

3. Practice, practice, practice

The best way to improve your car photography skills is to practice as much as possible. This means shooting in different environments, with different types of vehicles, and under various lighting conditions. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to see what works best for different cars. The more you practice, the more you'll learn about how to capture the perfect shot.

4. Study the work of established car photographers

One of the best ways to learn about car photography is to study the work of established photographers in the field. Look at their portfolios, read their interviews, and learn about their techniques. Pay attention to how they compose their shots, light their subjects, and post-process their images. By studying the work of others, you'll learn new techniques and get inspiration for your own work.

5. Build a portfolio

As you develop your skills and create new images, it's important to build a portfolio of your best work. This portfolio should showcase your best car photos and demonstrate your ability to capture the beauty and power of different types of vehicles. Your portfolio is an essential tool for finding new clients and getting your work seen by a wider audience.

6. Network and find opportunities

To succeed as a car photographer, you'll need to find opportunities to shoot different types of vehicles. This may involve working with car manufacturers, dealerships, and publications to get access to the cars you want to shoot. Networking is key, and you should make sure to attend car shows, meet-ups, and other events where you can connect with other car enthusiasts and photographers.

7. Learn post-processing techniques

Post-processing is an essential part of car photography. Whether you're using Lightroom, Photoshop, or another software, you'll need to learn how to edit and enhance your photos to make them look their best. This may involve adjusting the brightness, contrast, and colour of your images, as well as removing any blemishes or unwanted elements.

8. Take time to understand the cars

As a car photographer, it's important to take the time to understand the cars you're shooting. This means learning about the different models, makes, and years of the vehicles, as well as their unique features and characteristics. By understanding the cars you're shooting, you'll be able to capture their beauty and power in a way that resonates with your audience.

Let me know if any of that made sense! And if you need anymore information - just drop a comment below! Cheers for reading all the way down to here. Kabir :)

How to Become a Commercial Car Photographer in 2023 - 6 Top Tips

As a car enthusiast and photographer, combining your two passions into a career as a commercial car photographer can be a rewarding and exciting opportunity. Whether you want to photograph new car releases for a automotive magazine, capture stunning images of classic cars for a dealership, or shoot ads for car companies, there are a variety of paths you can take to become a successful commercial car photographer.

2022 Audi E-tron GT photographed in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

1 - Develop your photography skills and style

First and foremost, it’s important to have a strong foundation in photography. This includes understanding the technical aspects of your camera, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, as well as composition and lighting.

In addition to technical skills, developing your own unique style and vision is crucial for standing out in the crowded world of car photography. Experiment with different shooting angles, compositions, and post-processing techniques to find your signature look.

2- Build a strong portfolio

As a commercial photographer, your portfolio is your calling card and will be the first thing potential clients and employers see. It’s important to have a diverse range of high-quality car photos that showcase your skills and style.

To build a strong portfolio, start by practicing on your own vehicles or those of friends and family. You can also reach out to local car clubs or car shows and offer to photograph their events or member’s cars. As you build your portfolio, be sure to include a variety of shots, such as detail shots of car features, action shots of the car in motion, and environmental shots that place the car in a context or setting.

3 - Network and market yourself

Networking and marketing yourself is crucial for getting your foot in the door as a commercial car photographer. Attend industry events, join photography groups and forums, and engage with other photographers and car enthusiasts online.

In addition, create a website or online portfolio to showcase your work and make it easy for potential clients to contact you. Use social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, to share your photos and interact with your audience.

4 - Learn about the car industry

As a commercial car photographer, it’s important to have a good understanding of the car industry and the specific needs of your clients. This includes staying up to date on the latest car models and trends, as well as understanding the different types of car photography and their intended use (e.g. advertising, editorial, etc.).

You can learn about the car industry by reading relevant magazines and websites, attending car shows and events, and talking to industry professionals.

Porsche Cayman GT4 Photographed on a runway in Scotland.

5 - Specialise in a specific niche

While it’s important to have a diverse portfolio, specialising in a specific niche within car photography can help you stand out and attract a particular type of client. Some examples of niches within car photography include classic cars, racing cars, modified cars, or a particular brand or make of car.

By focusing on a specific niche, you can become an expert in that area and build a reputation as the go-to photographer for that type of car.

6 - Stay up to date with new technology and techniques

The world of photography is constantly evolving, with new technologies and techniques emerging all the time. To stay competitive and on top of your game as a commercial car photographer, it’s important to continually learn and adapt to new technologies and techniques. This might include learning about new camera equipment and software, as well as staying up to date on the latest editing and post-processing techniques.

Hope that has been helpful, leave a comment below if you have any questions! Thank you.