Fiat Step by Step Photo Shoot

A couple of years ago I was commissioned to photograph a private collection of classic and supercars as a special gift to the owner from his wife, so he could see and appreciate his collection all together in one place. The result was a beautiful handcrafted, limited edition photography book.It was important to me to make sure that we had planned where each car was to be photographed - the location, the time of day and the lighting, the rest is instinctive. There were over 20 cars in the collection and each one had it's own character I wanted to showcase.

Every location chosen had a special meaning to the owners and each came with it's own challenges, but one in particular stayed in my mind and it's this one I'd like to share with you, the Fiats - their two everyday cars, that they most probably have spent most time in.

The photographs below give a step by step guide to the process I went through to get to the end result.

 
 

I chose to do this shoot at the beginning of May so we could spend the afternoon setting up in preparation for when the sun went down. I had postponed this numerous times as the conditions weren't right. The first photograph above shows the cars in position.

 
 

The above photograph shows the angle I positioned my tripod with the Nikon D700 firmly attached, the lens I used was the 24-120mm. I set my Nikon SB910 speed light remotely inside the Fiat Abarth, with lighting at the front and either side of the cars. There was a flicker of light from the house and a couple of domestic outside lights too.

 
 

As the sun began to set an additional light was added in the outside seating area, with a flicker from the tea lights on the table and to the right of the house as well.

 
 

From the image above you will notice that lights have been added to the tree on the left and another garden light to match the one on the right. Many exposures were taken so I could check the lighting was just how I wanted it, my lighting technician was very patient as we balanced the lights to compliment the lighting inside the house. It was precision timing to balance this before we had lost all the natural light.

The end result below, is just as I had imagined with some careful tweaking in Photoshop to achieve the results I wanted.

 
 

Exhibition

This photograph and others from the book will be featuring at the RAC Pall Mall, London in the Autumn, with the opportunity to buy limited edition framed photographs. A small selection will also be on display at Hever Castle for Father's Day on Sunday 21 June 2015. I'll keep you posted as we get nearer the time. 

If after reading this it has inspired you to commission a shoot please do get in touch,Father's Day is just around the corner.

Thanks for reading I'll be back next month with more news.

Happy Easter.

Stella

Classic and Supercar Shows

Top Marques Monaco 16th - 19th April 2015

Last year I had the pleasure of attending the Top Marques car show, it is the only live supercar show in the world. It takes place every April in the prestigious Principality of Monaco and has grown to showcase all aspects of a luxury lifestyle. The show is held at the Grimaldi Forum, with the added benefit of the Esplanade to display the super boats with the opportunity to test drive them in the waters of Monaco.I was given the task to photograph H.S.H Prince Albert II on the opening day during his tour of the show. He took a lot of time to learn more about the supercars new to the market, the McLaren 650S, the Quant and the Lamborghini Aventador to name a few.The show started in 2004 with each year improving on the last, with that in mind if you are wanting to soak up some sun and culture, this one is for you. Follow this linkto get your tickets. I can recommend this Classic and Supercar Show.

Below are a selection of photographs I took at the event.

 
Stella Scordellis Top Marques Monaco
 

The Elite Show - London Biggin Hill Airport 8th - 9th May 2015

Rizon Jet at London Biggin Hill Airport is the prestigious venue for - The Elite London. London's most exclusive jet set lifestyle event, featuring over 100 luxury lifestyle brands. This is the second time Rizon Jet are hosting the show after last years huge success.Premium car brands will be on show and on sale to visitors who buy, collect and race the finest luxury super, hyper and classic cars. You can book exclusive experiences with the opportunity to take a flight in a Spitfire.

To book tickets to this exclusive classic and supercar show please visit their website to find out more.

If you would like a space at the show please get in touch with Roxana Ayling, her email address is roxana@theeliteevents.com

Congratulations to Rizon Jet who were voted UK No 1 FBO 2015.

I took the photograph below at Biggin Hill Airport, an F-Type Jag and Spitfire.

 
Stella Scordellis Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar F_Type Jag Spitfire jpg classic and super cars
 

Wilton Classic and Supercar Show 6th and 7th June 2015

The Wilton classic and supercar show is a day out for all the family and is held in the grounds of Lord Pembrokes estate, this two day event showcases super and classic cars, with live shows in the arena. This is a good fun day with a huge variety of cars to see, including the head to head display, last year it was the Mercedes SLS.

I particularly liked the supercar display where the owners drove their cars in a procession for all to admire, this is well worth seeing. I even got to be photographed with my favourite car, the Ferrari 250 GTO.This link is to their website.

 
Stella Scordellis Wilton House Classic and Supercar show
 
 
Stella Scordellis Wilton House Ferrari 250 GTO Classic and Supercar Show
 

A selection of Ferraris on display outside Wilton House, the home of the car show.

 
Stella Scordellis Wilton House Ferraris Classic and super cars
 

Thanks for reading, I'll keep you updated with other car show later in the year to visit.More news next month about where my classic and supercar photography exhibition will be appearing next.

Bye for now

Stella

Edenbridge Car Pageant

On Monday 26th May I drove a few miles south to Edenbridge to see (and hear) for myself what the car pageant I had read about had to offer. The weather was overcast and wet, not ideal for such an occasion. The event was organized by the Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce as part of the Edenbridge Fun Day. As a member of the Oxted Chamber of Commerce I caught site of an email from our chairman letting us know what another local chamber were up to over the Bank Holiday weekend. I’m very glad I took note of this because what unfolded filled me with delight and added so much to my visual and mental portfolio of cars! All on my doorstep in Fircroft Way, Edenbridge, Kent.

SMS Creative Photography Edenbridge Car Pageant

John Surtees OBE

Edenbridge is the hometown of Motor sport legend John Surtees OBE.

This year John is celebrating 50 years since he won his Formula 1 World Championship title as well as his 80th birthday. John Surtees OBE is a one off; the only person to have won World Championships on both two and four wheels. John proudly showcased his F1 bikes and cars outside his Bradford shop, Station Road, the Surtees team factory and business base for the past 56 years. The cars were built at this address and mainly by local residents. Edenbridge High Street was closed to allow the parade to take centre stage. It was led by John in the Ferrari 158 which he won the 1964 Formula One Driver’s World Championship, and was followed by Team Surtees Formula 1 cars of the Seventies driven by Scott Malvern and Robbie Kerr.

SMS Creative Photography Edenbridge Car Pageant 1

Exhibition and Book

John will be launching his book “My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels” on June 19th 2014. The book contains over 250 photographs some of which were on display at TOPFOTO Gallery also in Fircroft Way. The photographs are an incredible account of an incredible man. The majority of the photographs were taken by John Topham a documentary photographer who lived in Edenbridge until he died in 1992, please follow the link to find out more about him http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Topham_(photographer).

The book can be ordered from Evro Publishing.

The exhibition was an added bonus to my afternoon as it showcased some of John’s finest moments, even better, it was an opportunity to own a limited edition print signed by John Surtees and very reasonably priced too, £50 for an unframed A3 print.

Fund Raising

The event raised funds for the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Association and The Henry Surtees Foundation.

The foundation was set up in memory of John’s son Henry who was tragically killed in a freak accident at Brands Hatch in 2009 aged just 18 years, whilst competing.

The Pageant

I was pleasantly surprised to see so many owners turn up with their cars and bikes, they had travelled from all over the country to take part in this prestigious event. I chatted to a few of them who were happy to tell me the history of their cars, one man told me he bought his MG when he was just 18 years old and has owned it for the past 36 years, and was passing it over to his son to enjoy.

Amongst the parade were Ferrari, Aston Martin, MG, Corvette Stingray, Lotus, BMW, Morris Cowley to name just a few. They followed John’s parade of cars and gathered at the Lingfield Road recreation ground, the other end of town, for all to enjoy as part of the fun day.

SMS Creative Photography Edenbridge Car Pageant 2

It was a very enjoyable Bank Holiday Monday afternoon, thanks to all involved who made this the great success it was, despite the great British weather.

All part of my other passion in life photographing Classic and Super cars. You can see and read a bit more about this on my website www.stellascordellis.com

If you would like to commission me to take photographs of you, your family, or your cars, then please get in touch.

Bye for now!

Thanks for reading, my next newsletter will be in two weeks time.

Stella