There are a number of ways to achieve motion shots in the car photography game, all with their own pros and cons. These days the “virtual rig” technique, which involves creating the motion in Photoshop/Virtual Rig software, is becoming the most popular method amongst more accomplished photographers. A number of the shots in my portfolio were achieved using this method.
However, the old school physical car rig still has it’s place in my opinion. The kit I use was purchased from Car Camera Rig in the UK and is made up of a carbon fibre boom and all the relevant accessories to attach it to a car and a camera to it. While it is time consuming to set up on location and also in Photoshop (to remove the carbon pole/suction cups from the image), the results are worth it - a well executed rig shot always has a wow factor about it.
I will soon be announcing a new photoshoot option which will consist of only rig shots, and it will be the cheapest option I have ever offered. Perfect for the budget conscious or those who really only want some dynamic moving shots of their car.
I am also looking at the idea of making the rig available to rent/hire for other photographers, and being available to show them how to set it up and use it to get the best results. The fairly high cost of the equipment (up to $5000 AUD) means it isn’t a viable option for many hobbyist photographers. Stay tuned.