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Topic:	Rig Shots 5: Full Car Rig Shots
Author/Copyright:	John Jovic

There are basically 2 kinds of rig shots, 'Partial' or 'Full Car' (my own terminology, call them whatever you like).

Full Car rig shots show the entire car in the image and are certainly the most popular and commonly seen rig shot. In these types of images the car is shot with the rig clearly visible in the image however the rig is later removed using Photoshop or similar. Full Car rig shots usually require a significant amount of post processing time to remove the rig from the image. Sometimes the rig can be removed in as little as a few minutes, other times it may take several hours to finish a single image. The time required to remove the rig and to complete all post processing is determined by many factors such as those listed below.

*	The kind of rig used and is it mounted over or under a car. If it is boom and obscures only a small part of the car then it will be much easier to remove than an elaborate rig which attaches to several parts of the car.
*	The way the rig and camera are mounted or positioned. Moving the camera a couple of inches can save lots of time later.
*	Avoid rig reflections in panels or glass if possible. Sometimes you can hide the rigs reflection in a corner of the car, in the case of front or rear 3/4 images but not if you are setup to shoot side on or profile.
*	Consider the area that needs to be reconstructed behind the rig. If it is very simple, eg clouds, sky and the rig is very simple and carefully mounted then it can be easy and quick to Photoshop. However, if the background is complicated and requires careful rebuilding then it could take some time (and skill).
*	Lighting. Shadows and any colour cast differences between moving and still images which may need to be composited into the rig shot need to be considered. Shadows can often be avoided by choosing where and when you shoot instead of having to remove them later in post.
*	Sharp images may need to be composited into the original rig shot eg sharp parts of the car shot whilst the car was stationary and possibly without the rig attached.


Full Car rig mounted to bonnet.		Full Car rig mounted to boot lid.

Full Car rig mounted to bonnet.		Full Car rig mounted to boot lid.

Before Photoshop		Before Photoshop

After Photoshop		After Photoshop

Full Car rig shots can be quite simple to setup and to post process but they can also be quite complicated and time consuming. The quality of the final result you achieve is also largely dependant on your Photoshop skills. Alternatively you can have someone else do the post processing for you, as is often the case with advertising work.

One of the disadvantages of any kind of rig shot is that they can take a significant amount of time to execute fully, including all post processing in the case of full car rig shots. Consider the time it will take to complete a rig shot, including post processing to remove the rig, and charge for your time and efforts appropriately. Some clients pay a set job rate so any extra time you spend post processing, removing rigs from images etc is potentially at your own cost. Time is money so it is important to consider the real cost of such endeavours and to charge appropriately.

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