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Photo Tips for the Best Showboard Results

You don’t need expensive professional camera equipment to capture amazing images. Today’s smartphones can produce excellent automotive photos when used correctly. Just follow these simple tips to help Photomotive create the best possible showboard from your images.

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At Photomotive, every image we receive is professionally enhanced to make your vehicle look its absolute best. We carefully remove backgrounds, fine-tune colors to accurately match your paint, and clean up small imperfections like bugs, scratches, reflections, or dirty tires — all at no additional charge.

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Because photo quality can vary, we may occasionally request alternate images if the originals don’t fully showcase your vehicle. Don’t worry — we’re happy to help you select the best shots for your final design.

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Start With a Clean Car

A freshly washed and detailed vehicle photographs dramatically better. Clean paint, wheels, tires, windows, and trim make a huge difference in the final artwork.

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Use the Highest Resolution Possible

Set your phone or camera to the highest image quality available. Larger, sharper photos produce much better prints and allow more flexibility during editing and layout design.

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Always shoot with your phone held horizontally (landscape orientation).

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Make Sure Your Lens is Clean

Even the best camera settings won’t help if your lens is dirty. Fingerprints and smudges can create blurry or hazy photos. A quick wipe with a soft cloth before shooting can make a big improvement.

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Take Photos in Good Lighting

The best time to photograph your vehicle is typically:

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  • 1–2 hours after sunrise

  • 1–2 hours before sunset

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This softer lighting helps highlight body lines and reduces harsh reflections and shadows. Avoid harsh midday sunlight whenever possible. For the best exterior lighting:

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  • Position the driver-side front corner of the car toward the sun

  • Keep the sun behind you while shooting

  • Be careful not to cast your shadow onto the vehicle

  • Turn on your headlights for added visual impact

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Use a Clean Background

Try to photograph the car in an uncluttered location. Empty parking lots, scenic roads, industrial areas, parks, or open spaces work great.

Avoid distracting objects such as:

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  • Trash cans

  • Telephone poles and wires

  • Crowded parking lots

  • Trees directly behind the car

  • Buildings with busy reflections

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Remember — shiny paint reflects like a mirror. The cleaner the surroundings, the cleaner the final image.

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Watch Reflections

Reflections can dramatically affect automotive photography. Small changes in your position can greatly improve the shot.

Avoid reflections from:

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  • Parking lot stripes

  • Tree branches and leaves

  • Buildings and windows

  • Clouds

  • People

  • Yourself

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The goal is to showcase the curves and styling of the vehicle — not distractions reflected in the paint.

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Shoot From Multiple Angles

Take a variety of photos including:

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  • Front ¾ view

  • Rear ¾ view

  • Side profile

  • Interior

  • Engine bay

  • Wheels and special details

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More photos give us more creative options when designing your showboard. For your main vehicle shots:

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  • Shoot at a 45-degree angle

  • Take photos standing, crouching, and kneeling

  • Move slightly left or right between shots

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For aggressive performance-style photos, try shooting from bumper height for dramatic low-angle views.

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Leave Space Around the Car

Don’t zoom in too tightly. Leave some room around the vehicle so we can properly crop, remove backgrounds, and design the final layout.

Avoid using digital zoom whenever possible. Instead, move physically closer to the vehicle.

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Keep the Camera Level

Hold the camera straight and avoid excessive tilting unless intentionally creating a dramatic effect. Level photos create a cleaner, more professional appearance. Additional composition tips:

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  • Keep the car centered in the frame

  • Fill the viewfinder without cutting off parts of the car

  • Position yourself low enough to see all four tires touching the ground

  • Turn the front wheels slightly with the tire tread facing away from the camera

  • Roll up all windows unless photographing a convertible with the top down

  • Park on a level surface

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Avoid parking on:

  • Grass

  • Gravel

  • Striped parking lots

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Interior & Engine Photos

Avoid direct sunlight for interior and engine shots. Overcast skies or shaded areas work best. Before shooting:

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  • Remove keys from the ignition

  • Straighten seatbelts

  • Remove cups, paper, clutter, and personal items

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Exposure Tips

An underexposed image appears too dark, while an overexposed image appears too bright. Overexposed highlights lose detail permanently, especially bright white areas. Darker areas can usually be corrected during editing. If you must choose between the two, slightly underexposed photos are generally preferred.

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Don’t Worry About Perfection

Minor imperfections can often be corrected during editing. Photomotive can:

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  • Remove distractions

  • Improve backgrounds

  • Enhance lighting and color

  • Correct small flaws

  • Add dramatic effects and creative styling

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Need Help?

Not sure which photos to send? No problem. Simply upload your best shots, and Photomotive will help select the images that work best for your custom showboard design.

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