Planning on selling a used car? You will obviously need good-quality images that will grab the attention of potential buyers. But how will you do so? Turns out, you don’t need to be a professional photographer to do this job. All you need are our 20 used car photography tips. Also, read on to find out the mistakes you need to avoid.
What is Used Car Photography?
Used car photography is an important step when selling a used car. You need to effectively showcase your used car through high-quality car photography, which will attract potential buyers and provide them with a clear and accurate representation of the car. A good image highlights the car’s best features and builds trust, which increases the likelihood of a sale. A positive first impression is necessary if you want to gain a buyer’s attention and make your car stand out from the rest.
How to Photograph Your Car for Sale?
Many buyers who have looked at online listings for second-hand cars have experienced this: a car catches their eye, so they click on the link to see more photos, but there is only one image, and the car isn’t fully in frame. Or even worse, there are multiple photos, but they are blurry or taken at night with a low-quality camera.
Poor-quality car dealership photography make cars less attractive to buyers and slow down the selling process. This leaves customers unsure about what they are getting. You don’t need to be a professional photographer to create a good used-car listing. The following used car photography tips will help you photograph your car for sale and create a better-used car listing:
1) Wash the Car
Before taking any photos, make sure your car is clean. A clean car looks more attractive and suggests it has been well taken care of. Clean both the interior and exterior thoroughly, and pay attention to details like the windows, mirrors, and wheels.
2) Use the Right Camera
You don’t need a professional camera, but using a good-quality camera can make a big difference. Most modern smartphones have excellent cameras. Make sure the lens is clean, and get to know the camera’s features. Avoid using digital zoom because it can make the image grainy. Instead, move closer to the car to capture details.
3) Take Advantage of The Golden Hour
Lighting is important for good photos. The best time to take pictures is during the golden hour, which is just after sunrise and just before sunset. The light during these times is soft and warm, making your car look its best. Avoid taking pictures in the harsh midday sun or at night. If you have to shoot during the day, find some shade to avoid glare and reflections.
4) Mind the Quantity and Variety
Take multiple photos from different angles. Include shots of the front, back, sides, and three-quarter views. Don’t forget to photograph the interior and focus on key areas like the dashboard, seats, and trunk. Check out Spyne’s guide on car interior photography. Aim for at least 10-15 photos to give a complete picture of the car.
5) Be Honest
Transparency is important when selling a car. Photograph any dents, scratches, or other flaws. Showing these imperfections builds trust with potential buyers. It’s better for buyers to know any issues upfront rather than discovering them later.
20 Used Car Photography Photo Tips
To make your second-hand car stand out online, improve your photo skills with a few easy tips and car photography settings. You don’t need to be professional to take great shots. Try avoiding the usual boring photos taken in driveways or parking lots. You can use your smartphone to capture clear, attractive images. Good photos will grab buyer’s attention and help sell your car fast. Here are 20 used car photography tips to get you started:
1) Prep
Treat your car like a model. Clear it thoroughly inside and out, and remove any personal items like chargers and phone mounts. Also, take out rubber floor mats if the fabric ones look nice. First impressions matter, so ensure the car looks its best.
2) Location
Avoid any crowded places like parking lots. Find a clean, simple background that complements your car. A quiet street, a scenic area, or an empty lot can work well. Make sure the background doesn’t steal the focus from the car.
3) Time & Light
The best time to take photos is just after sunrise or before sunset, which is known as the golden hour. The light is softer, warmer, and more flattering for your car. Try avoiding harsh midday lights that create strong shadows and unflattering contrasts.
4) Weather
Choose a sunny or partly cloudy day for your photo shoot. While overcast skies can diffuse light and reduce harsh shadows, sunlight adds vibrancy and enhances the car’s appearance. Photos taken on sunny days are found to be more eye-catching and appealing.
5) Shadows
Be mindful of shadows from the car and surrounding objects. Shoot with the sun behind you to keep the car well-lit. Watch for shadows cast by trees, buildings, or other structures that might fall on the car and detract from the photo.
6) Focal Length
If you are using a camera with interchangeable lenses, a 50mm lens (or its equivalent) is a good choice for minimal distortion. For crop-sensor cameras, use a 35mm lens. Smartphone cameras often have wide-angle lenses, which can distort the car’s shape. Try to stand farther away and zoom in slightly to reduce this effect.
7) Aperture
Use a moderate aperture (like f/5.6 or f/8) to keep most of the car in focus, especially for front and rear shots. For side shots, you can use a wider aperture that will create a slight blur in the background, which can make the car stand out more.
8) Tripod
Using a tripod keeps your phone steady, especially in low-light conditions. It also helps you pay more attention to focus, composition, and other critical elements of the image.
9) Height of Camera
Avoid taking photos from your eye level. Experiment with different heights. Low angles can make the car look more powerful, while higher angles can provide a detailed view. Changing your viewpoint will make your photos more interesting and will them stand out.
10) Fill the Frame
Make sure the car is the main focus of your photos. Fill the frame with the car, but leave a bit of space around it to avoid visual tension. This helps potential buyers focus on the car without distractions.
11) Reflections
Check for unwanted reflections on the car’s surface, such as other cars, bright objects, or even yourself. Pay attention to reflections in the mirrors as well. A clean, reflection-free image helps keep the focus on the car.
12) Wheel Direction
For a more lively look, turn the front wheels toward the camera when photographing from the front or rear quarter. This adds a bit of styler and makes the car look more engaging.
13) Headlights
Turn on the headlights and fog lights to make the car look more alive and dynamic. This small touch can make your photos more compelling and attract potential buyers.
14) License Plates
You don’t need to hide the license plate. Potential buyers can’t access much personal information with it. Your license plate is visible to everyone on the road, so it’s usually fine to leave it in the photos.
15) The 360° view
Take photos from all around the car to give a complete view. If possible, keep the camera stationary and move the car to maintain consistent lighting and framing. This can help potential buyers get a thorough look at the vehicle.
For even better results, use Spyne’s Spin 360 tool to enhance your used car photography that will allow buyers to view the car from every angle. This technology upgrades the visual experience and can make your listing more appealing.
16) Interiors
Interior shots can be tricky due to tight spaces. Use good lighting and consider a tripod for stability. Recline the seats to get better angles, and make sure to capture key areas like the dashboard, seats, and any special features.
17) Shot List
Capture a variety of shots to give a complete view of the car:
- Front, rear, and side views
- Front and rear quarter views
- Close-ups of wheels and tire treads
- Interior shots of seats, dashboard, and controls
- Engine and trunk
- Special features like sunroofs or key fobs
- Any cosmetic flaws or damage
18) Retouching/Ethics
Avoid retouching to hide flaws. Be honest about the car’s condition. Potential buyers appreciate transparency, which builds trust and helps maintain your asking price. Honest photos prevent surprises during in-person viewings.
19) Smartphone Tips
Smartphones can work well if you follow these tips. Be aware of wide-angle distortion. Stand farther back and crop the image if needed. Use good lighting and keep the camera steady to avoid blurry photos.
20) Too Good to Be True
If your photos look professional, some buyers might think they’re too good to be true. There’s no need to lower the quality. Just be prepared to assure buyers that the photos are real and accurately represent the car.
Why are Car Photos Important?
Used car photography provides multiple photos in your car listing which is important because most buyers won’t see the car in person. Often in the used car marketplace, people may buy without a test drive, but not without detailed images. A good online listing should offer a virtual walk-around with at least 12 photos, ideally in 1024×768 pixels or similar resolution. Avoid using stock photos. Listings with multiple photos tend to sell better, reduce buyer inquiries, and build trust, which encourages better bids and sales.
Exterior Photos
Include shots of the exterior. Show the front, back, and both sides and use ¾ views to capture more detail. Include direct shots of the front and rear to highlight features like fog lights or a trailer hitch.
Condition or Damage Photos
Check for any details that show the car’s condition. Take photos of any notable issues such as dents, rust, rips, tears, paint fade, or scratches. Clean the wheels and show the tire tread. Highlight any issues with blue masking tape to make them easier to see.
Interior photos
Interior photos should include all aspects that a buyer would want to see. Capture the seats. Dashboard, floor carpets, and backseat. Ensure good lighting or use a flash to avoid shadows.
Odometer and VIN Photos
To verify mileage and the car’s identity, show the odometer with the power on and capture the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for verification.
Engine Photos
Buyers would want to see the engine to ensure it’s in good condition. A clear, well-lit photo of the engine compartment is enough, especially for older or collectible cars.
Mistakes to Avoid While Doing Used Car Photography
When taking pictures of used cars, used car dealerships need to avoid some common mistakes to improve their results. Issues like poor angles and incorrect camera settings lower the car’s appeal. Here are some mistakes to avoid during used car photography to make sure your photos look professional:
1) Poor Angles
You need to find the right angles to make your car look its best. Bad angles can make your car look unattractive. For example, shooting directly from the front doesn’t show the car’s line or shadows.
2) Wrong Camera Settings
Beginners often take blurry or poorly lit photos because they can’t adjust settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed for different conditions. Moving and stationary shots need different settings, as do outdoor and studio photos.
3) Messing with Shutter Speed
Shutter speed affects the brightness and motion in a photo. For still cars, use speed between 1/200s and 1/500s. For moving cars, use 1/100s with panning to show motion or 1/1000s to freeze action.
4) Forgetting RAW Format
JPEG format photos sometimes lose details in bright and dark areas. Shooting in RAW format captures more detail and makes it easier to correct issues afterward.
5) Ignoring Lighting
Good lighting is very important. Poor lighting can make your photos blurry. You can experiment with different lighting conditions and consider shooting during the golden or blue hours for the best results.
6) Not Using ND Filters
ND filters reduce light entering the camera without changing colors, ideal for long exposures. They help prevent overexposure and produce cleaner images.
7) Skipping Reflectors
Reflectors like mirrors, white sheets, and even the floor can enhance lighting in studio shots. They help highlight parts of the car that direct light can’t reach.
8) Relying Too Much on Photoshop
While post-processing can improve photos, it’s better to get the shot right initially. Relying mostly on editing can lead to unnatural-looking images.
9) Improper ISO Settings
Wrong ISO settings make photos grainy. Adjust ISO based on lighting conditions or you can use the Auto ISO setting with a limit to avoid excessive grain.
10) Ignoring the Depth of Field
Cars are long, so pay attention to the depth of field. Test and adjust to keep the whole car in focus, especially if you are shooting close to the vehicle.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide for used car photography comes in handy the next time you plan on taking photos of your used car for online listings. Remember, first impressions matter. Our tips will help you attract potential buyers. Keep the mistakes you need to avoid in mind and you’ll be good to go! And do check out Spyne’s guide on 360 car photography to make your car listings more enhanced.
