Tokyo Auto Salon model photography can be hard. So many flashes and cameras all go off at once. It can appear to be a chaotic situation. While the cars are the main event, the models draw massive crowds. Photographing them is a challenge.
Event model photography is a high-speed game of timing. In this post, I’m taking you back to the Tokyo Auto Salon 2020. These are my shots and ideas.
Event photography is fast
Many of the models at these events are professionals; they have to be. With a wall of photographers vying for their attention, you get a very small window to capture your shot.
When a model turns to your camera, you have just seconds to frame, focus, and press the shutter button before they move to the next photographer.
Some models are celebrities in the car show world, with unofficial fan clubs that follow them to their events. These dedicated fans can get a few extra seconds of the model’s time. Everyone needs to be patient and wait their turn.
The models decide when they are finished with each micro-session. They might acknowledge the photographer with a smile or a nod of the head and focus on the next camera in a few seconds.
My budget-friendly camera setup
You don’t need the most expensive gear to get great results, but it does need to be reliable. In 2020, I used a Fujifilm X-T2 and a Godox flash. It was a cheap setup and had its limits but it did the job.
For me, the biggest issue is the flash’s recycle time; that brief second you might need to wait for it to power up again can mean missing the perfect shot. If you are into model photography, I’d suggest buying the best flash you can afford.
Tokyo Auto Salon model photography: 3 beginner tips
Master your settings
There is no time to fiddle with settings. Know how to adjust your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO for low-light, high-contrast situations. The same goes for the flash.
Be able to change them without thought. For that to happen, you need to practice.
Make it meaningful by having a subject. I don’t have a person to shoot over and over again. But, I have a mannequin I can set on my tripod. It’s not perfect (obviously it can’t move), but better than nothing.
The mannequin is especially valuable for practicing with my flash when I haven’t used it for a long time. The practice is good for refreshing the memory.
Develop a shot list
Before you arrive, have a checklist of the shots you want to capture: a full-length portrait, a three-quarter shot, a detailed close-up. Spray and pray isn’t a good idea. You want to go home with winning images.
Post processing might save your model images
When you attend your first car show (hopefully the Tokyo Auto Salon) you might be overwhelmed and nothing is going right. Or your battery might drain faster than expected. It’s okay to shoot without the flash.
Do your best and processing might save them. Modern denoise technology can work wonders.
Don’t set your expectations to high
If you are a first timer to Tokyo Auto Salon whose goal is to shoot the models, don’t set your goals too high. There will be many photographers each waiting to shoot them. You only get a short time with your subject.
Even for hobbyists, pressure can be felt.
So practice till you know your camera like a pro in case you need to change the settings on the day. Think about the shots you want to take.
Even if things go wrong, keep going. The experience will be valuable for your photography career. To learn more about this event look at [Tokyo Auto Salon Photo Guide].