Where do you guys find pics to start your renderings?

[ccm399]

Hi all,

I was wondering if you guys might have some tips and tricks about where I can find some good pics to start my rendering from. I have tried google images and have not had too much success as of yet.

I thought about trying to start from another rendering but I do not want to plagiarize someone else work. Plus without knowing exactly what modification they made to the original I might not end up with the car I think I will.

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I almostforgot, I am looking for 1970-73 Pontiac Firebird Formula pics in particular.

Thanks!

Chris

[DocJr]

Hey Chris!

I am what you call a picture junkie, I have an 8 gig thumb drive just for pics...

with that said, normally I end making up my own angles and perspective, by going off a few reference pics. (Most of the time, my final product is similar to a pic, but not exact) Color wise, I make up my own reflections and gradations, paying close attention to color, sometimes If a client asks for a specific color, I'll google search the name of it...

I use these sites, pretty much in order lol

Google
Flickr (I use this site a lot)
Hub Garage
Webshots

[city_ofthe_south]

Part of finding reference material is knowing the subject. If you make your internet searches too specific you'll get fewer results (generally speaking). What I mean is, you're looking for a Formula Firebird .... but really, they aren't much different from any other Firebird from those years. I don't mean special editions of cars aren't in fact special, just that they were an "option" to an existing base model. So the part where knowing your subject comes in to play is knowing HOW the car was different from the base model. Books are valuable for this but also enthusiast web sites and forums. They may not offer great images but you will know without a doubt what exactly makes a Formula Firebird different from the base model. And chances are that you can put Firebird and the year into your search and get a million results that will work for you .... then you can add in the mods. I don't think it is ever a good idea to work from an artists design. They are great for generating ideas and inspiration, but knowing your subject is the first step for me. When trolling the net two things I do are, save everything you like, and try broad and unusual search terms. You never know when or where you'll find something cool. Just putting in 73 Firebird is the first in many searches, imo. You might find a really cool image of a Firebird while searching for Firebird wheels or custom paint, or flaming chicken :P ... one that you never saw while searching for 73 Firebird.

[ccm399]

Thanks guys!

I have tried searching many different terms (I am an IT guy so I have to be creative on my searches some times. :) ). But thanks for the input for sure. I found a couple good ones on eBay last night. I guess when you want to sell a car you tend to take a lot of pics.

I used IE to copy save the images.

Thanks again guys.

Chris

[DocJr]

Oh yea! I forgot to mention ebay too, I use that as a last resort because ebays pics are small.

[BernalAutoStyle]

Car Domain has some good high resolution pics, but, for newer cars the best place is www.desktopmachine.com

[marks914]

If possible I try to shoot the vehicle myself or start from scratch. The problem with starting with a photo is the perspective is too wide and the sketch looks like its all jacked up, and looks like it was over a photo. I like to sketch in views that have a bit less perspective, that's just me though.
Mark

[silverz28]

Have you tried Deviantart.com they have thousands of pics, not only automotive.

[Scotch]

There's a slew of good car pics at Flickr.com too. I post a lot of mine there. You can save really big images and others can download the really big (original) sizes too.