When it debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG drew enthusiasm as the first car AMG designed and built entirely in-house, not a modified existing platform. The design leaned directly on the 300SL from the 1950s, the original Gullwing: long hood, front-mid engine layout, and, most obviously, the doors themselves.

It’s been 8 months since I self-published my second book, and the first on photography technique and process. I was thinking about how long I have been doing it. I don’t get a ton of questions about my photography, but when I do, they usually revolve around light painting. It’s a technique that, for the unaware, looks magical.

It’s been almost three years since I shot a similar model, a 2023 Genesis G90, and although not much has changed on the outside, three years of tech advancements can be substantial. I had a short window with this G90, a custom order in Savile Silver, as the owner was due for delivery on Monday.

A Beginner’s Guide to Automotive Light Painting is finalized, and the eBook version will be released on Tuesday, January 20th. And the cost is only $18 CA! A print book is being considered; however, if I choose to produce a print version, it will take some time to prepare the files for physical book production. A physical book with production costs will cost more than the eBook.

I’ve been using light painting in my automotive photography for over 10 years now, and it’s still an exhilarating opportunity when presented. The process is an excellent option for automotive photographers to add to their repertoire, if they haven’t already, as it offers a very unique way to showcase vehicles and can be very enticing to clients.

The purpose of car photography is to showcase a vehicle in a way that best represents everything it offers. Location is key, as well as lighting. Both of those go hand in hand with your subject. When on location, finding a spectacular location at just the right time is immensely satisfying.

It’s not very often I get the opportunity to photograph classic cars, and even more rare that I get an entire afternoon with two classic Ferraris. The automotive season for me was slim this year, with only a few photoshoots in 2025, and that’s fine. Even though the opportunities were minimal, I wasn’t pursuing automotive shoots myself.

Light painting requires careful consideration of what you are capturing and how you capture it. Checking your exposures to ensure you have the intended portions of the vehicle lit as intended is essential to the success and impact of your final composition.

Over more than ten years, automotive photography has allowed me to capture a diverse range of vehicles of different types and values. Whether an expensive exotic or an everyday commuter, I believe each car deserves the same attention to detail to showcase its unique character through photography. With thoughtful planning and strategic execution, virtually any vehicle can be a captivating photographic subject.

I’ve written numerous posts discussing automotive light painting. That includes the techniques and tips I believe will make your light painting most successful and the tools I use for light painting cars. Most of my light painting tools, including the Westcott Ice Light 2, my primary light source, have been in my repertoire for years. With the imminent release of the Ice Light 3, I thought it would be a good time to look back on the current Ice Light 2.

Spring is just around the corner, and if you live in a cold climate like I do, you will realize that car owners will be anxious to get their prized possessions out of storage and onto the open road. With a new season comes new opportunities to photograph. It’s a perfect time to review tips for successfully light painting a car for a successful photoshoot.

In car photography, light painting is a technique that involves using a light source to create illuminated images of your vehicle. Light painting can be utilized both outside and inside the vehicle’s cabin and offers a unique and creative approach to capturing the essence of the car’s design.