Once again BIglorryblog provides his public service act with advice and tips on how to take better truck photos--thanks to the worst...and the best of the truck manufacturers' press releases..
Remember what I've said about making sure the truck looks like it's working? Here's a good example. Llook at how the stuff is falling out of the grab bucket attached to this Actros 3241 eight-legger that's recently entered service with (and I quote) "Award-winning contractor" Thompson Landscapes---which has celebrated its 21st birthday in fine style by treating itself to a new, top-spec Merc multi-wheeler. And why not? But more of that later.
The trick is to shoot at a relatively slow shutter speed to get the sand etc 'flowing' on the picture. It's what snappers do on a fast rushing stream to give a real feel of movement...stop down the aperture, slow down the shuitter speed and it starts to blur...yet the picture stays in focus because you've stopped down the aperture. And if you're on a really slow setting put it on a tripod. Easy when you know how isn't it?
Anyway for more pix (and more blurb) on Thompson's anniversary tipper click through here.
Another tip worth bearing in mind is Health & Safety--right now H&S is high on everyon'e agenda (not least management) and if someone should be wearing Personal and Protective Equipment (that's 'PPE' to you lot) in the picture--like a high-vis vest and hard hat--then make sure they are. Otherwise some smart-arse will come along and say: "Ahhh..he's not wearing any safety gear..." and regardless of how good the picture is, it gets junked. Giving a driver a high-his vest also makes him or her stand out too, and adds a bit of colour, so well worth doing anyway, especially as you all know that BLB hates pictures without people in them!
And remember too how you can use stuff in the foreground ('kipple') to help frame a truck in the backgrouind. Note also the slight tilt and the fact that the truck is doing something. Anyway I promised you some stuff on the Merc and yer tiz!
It's certainly not your average eight-legger, having a stunning black paint-job, air-conditioned cab and 410hp engine. Moreover, the all-steel Thompson Loadmaster body is equipped with a hydraulic Autolift tailgate and electric sheeting system, both of which can be operated from the cab, while its underfloor tipping gear is by Binotto.
Completing the inventory, it's also got a powerful Epsilon E120L crane with a grab. The Actros is Thompson's first 8x4 – the company previously relied on third-party suppliers to deliver large quantities of materials to its sites. But as founder and MD Anthony Thompson tells BLB: “I should have done this years ago, because the Actros is a fantastic truck and is already making a big difference to the way we work. We bought this vehicle primarily to improve the controls over our business, and to ensure that when they’re out on site our people receive deliveries when they need them, and not when it suits someone else. In that regard it’s been a complete success.”
It's all about being in control isn't it?
As well as undertaking commercial landscape projects nationwide, the company is a regular exhibitor at the Royal Horticulural Society’s annual Chelsea Flower Show, hence its string of awards. So there.
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