I know nothing about photography. Please hold back with the "that's a crappy place to take a photo" composition comments... just wondering what I can do in terms of setting up the camera to get better results.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/495/dscn2949s.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/495/dscn2948s.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/495/dscn2950s.jpg">

:-P You practically asked for it! :)

I like the lighting in the first one. Gives the paint a deep wet look.

The second and third shots clearly used fill flash, but as you can see the flash wasn't diffuse enough, and it lit up the wheel closest to the camera (including everything inside the rim/wheel well. It looks like you were using an onboard flash, so an outboard flash would be the first suggestion. The next suggestion would be to get a diffuser for the flash...Or you could cut up a section of the side of a plastic milk carton jug and rig it about 3-4" away from the front of the flash to diffuse the light. See if that does the ticket. The diffusers are only $15 of so anyway, so it's easy enough to get one, and try it if you're averse to playing with scissors and milk cartons.

Outboard flash, okay... sorry, trying to experiment little by little.

I love spending other peoples' money. ;-) That first one is very nice, BTW - great reflections. But yes, mind your backgrounds. The best subject can make a lousy picture in front of a pile of trash. Especially a tack-sharp pile of trash. What camera are you working with?

... I didn't want to wander too far from home 1) sun was setting already and 2) Kumhos on 20*F or colder pavement is an accident waiting to happen at rush hour.

... once I actually understand photography, I'll start borrowing the girlfriend's D70.

Looks like a fun ride - except in winter.

Until then, wish me luck on my contracts exam tomorrow...

second, your car has complex shapes. You need simple abstract backgrounds, and or shallow DOF to offset the car and the background it's on.

Unless you utilize the curvilinear shapes as abstract elements in the composition and fill the frame, you need to make sure a complex car like you have needs an almost bare and simple setting to 'live' in.

I know you can decode this because well, I know ;-).

oh, and hello!

WTF?

And there will always be a Statute of Frauds question too.

the best way to learn is to practice. and with digital, it's so easy to take tons of shots.

<img src="http://sickedank.com/photoguide.jpg">