How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your camera

[cadillacman91]

Re: How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your ca

Great tips! I've got a white car so its even more difficult to capture the swirls with white paint!

[nick98338]

Re: How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your ca

Spider-web seems to show up better around the outer edge of a direct, single point, light source reflection. The sun directly over head... a bright light of some kind. Water spots seem to show better in a reflection of an indirect light that is a light color and quite bright. Bright sky, full sun reflected at an angle. But not a dark color reflection. Dark clouds in sky, or dark wall in background doesn't help to show. Orange peel also shows up better against an indirect, bright color reflection that is not as intense. But, I think seeing orange peel also needs a contrasting background reflection. You'll see it in the bright part of the reflection if there is a dark reflection next to the bright part. Another good way to see orange peel is when two cars are right next to each other, in bright sunlight. Like in a parking lot. The sun reflects off of your car onto the car next to yours. The orange peel from your car shows in the reflection on the other car.

[Samir]

Re: How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your ca

I had the pleasure of attending a detailing clinic with Mike back in the early part of 2009 with my brother's Altima. He showed us the coin technique of capturing swirl marks.

And now I've been tasked with photographing imperfections regularly for a friend that has a detailing company. The swirls are easy, but what about orange peel or surface imperfections like unevenness due to bondo?

I've tried using something else to focus on like a piece of tape. I've also tried setting the aperture higher so that it keep everything in focus sharply in order to avoid any depth of field that could blur out the imperfections. I've tried using something to reflect in the paint like a piece of paper with lines. Some of these methods work, but inconsistently. Any ideas appreciated.

[Johnson]

Re: How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your ca

I am not having very good luck with this. I am taking these pictures in my garage. Is that my problem? I have swirls.. just not showing up on this camera. where do I put the flash light so it will catch it

[jdoria]

Re: How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your ca

Want to capture swirls and defects without looking like you're pointing at the obvious? Virtually every auto-focus camera has a halfway point on the shutter release (the take a picture button ) that locks the focus.

Set up for your shot, put your finger in the frame close to the defect you're trying to capture, press the shutter release halfway to lock the focus, move your finger out of frame, and finally continue to press the shutter release to take the picture.

Nice trick there!

But make sure your camera is not set to "continual focus". Nothing is easy anymore is it?

[joncz]

Re: How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your ca

Want to capture swirls and defects without looking like you're pointing at the obvious? Virtually every auto-focus camera has a halfway point on the shutter release (the take a picture button ) that locks the focus.

Set up for your shot, put your finger in the frame close to the defect you're trying to capture, press the shutter release halfway to lock the focus, move your finger out of frame, and finally continue to press the shutter release to take the picture.

[Mr Mustang]

Re: How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your ca

thanks for the bump, I was looking for something like this

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How-To capture swirls, scratches, etchings and other surface defects with your ca




Just to note this thread has been updated on page one of this thread. If you find a fellow forum member trying to focus and capture a defect in/on their paint try to remember to share this thread with them.

You can highlight, copy and paste the blue clickable link into your reply to any thread making it easy for someone to click the link and go to this thread.

[Jossy92]

Re: How to snap pictures of SWIRLS?

I I guess the secret so to speak is to direct the auto focus of the camera on something else. ...Thanks again for the tip.

I agree, I have beem searching for these little pearls since I joined. (Especially those regarding technigue.) Also want to shoot some pictures so I can get good feedback.

As for now, I am learning from the mistakes of others and hope to contribute by sharing my own. Where's my brillow pad...?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How to snap pictures of SWIRLS?

I remember about 2 years ago. I think, Mike showed the tip about using your finger to make the swirls appear in the photo. It has always worked well. I guess the secret so to speak is to direct the auto focus of the camera on something else. This way the swirls appear in the background. Thanks again for the tip.

[Pasqualy]

"P" mode for a canon

Originally posted by sneek
take the car out into the sun and set your camera into "P" i have no clue what that is but i know if you want to capture swirls you have to put it in that mode

i have a canon S50

The "P" is Program mode. I use the Auto and it comes out just fine.

[zeefauna]

I was looking around for the Dual Xenon by Brinnkmann and came across this cheap xenon flashlight on eBay for $10 with shipping.



Tried it just now with these results...





You're right... it's swirl city down there...

[zeefauna]

I will be getting my DA polisher soon with some other supplies.

Will post the "after" shots... if it turns out well.

[Wingsof66]

Originally posted by zeefauna
The next time i get a new car, i will inspect the paint under the sun...

... and if the sun is not there, use a xenon light...



This is a Brinkmann Dual Xenon, portable and rechargeable.

[Wingsof66]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
Besides figuring out the right camera setting for your specific camera, I often times place my finger on the finish as though I'm pointing to the swirls, (which I am), but the main purpose of my finger is to give the camera something to focus on so the surface, (where the swirls are), is in focus.

That was one amazing tip. I've always have problems getting the camera focused on a glossy and "swirly" surface.
Great idea to give the camera something "solid" to focus on..

Thanks.