Am I actually better at this than I think?

[iminhell1]

First is the pro paid to do this.
Second is mine just changed to greyscale, no other edits.

I'm wondering if I should be editing and if I should be looking into ways to get paid for my work? I'm not looking for a lot. But enough to save and upgrade equipment over time would be nice. And then I could call it an actual LLC. Right now just starting and doing it for fun/learning. But I may be selling myself short?

[tranquility]

You should keep it anon for better results. GL.

[floridaorange]

^meaning what?

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

^meaning what?

I meant that OP shouldn't tell which one is his/hers for less biased opinions.

[DocL]

One picture doesn't tell us enough about your skills. The pro picture has better sharpness. Your picture has a lot of grain in it due to your settings which is a style of photography.

My advice is to get thousands of shots through your camera to see if your style is consistent before making a decision. You don't need the best equipment to start as the technique is more important. You did a good job with the composition of your image. It leads your eye in the direction that the car is going.

Good luck. I've been a hobbyist photographer for 40 years.

[info@ezcarbonfiber.com]

Other than the car part, I am a Producer, I take contract from Volvo and Ford.
First of all, yours looks good, keep working on it!
Here is some info about business world:
1. when I pick a photographer / cinematographer for a case, its not just looking for someone take good photos. He needs to match my need. Such as if the style match the brand and clients will be happy about it. The lighting set up of the photographer's preference, how sharp and how agressive he is good at?
2. You need to be efficient. lovers and people who is doing it as hoppy may have great skills, amazing out come, super clean shot and very deep understanding.
But if you want to make money, you need to finish the job in worst condition. There will be so many needs, positions, back grounds, locations and you only got 1-2 days to provide 10 (if not 20) professional level photos and meet the requirement. So we are talking about your worst, instead of your best.

These requirements won't disappear if you charge less money. The job will be easier, clients may not be very picky, but you need to deliver what they pay for, instead of what you like.

In the end, you can simply just keep it as hobby, share and post them online with your marks on, if someone like me need some extra photos ( is very normal that production companies purchase from outside when they have package deals), we will pay you the right of use your work.

[overcoil]

that second / bottom pic front wheel and the fender look great

top picture rear of car is also good.

[jmg]

The top one has better lighting and sets a more interesting mood. I think both are a bit blurry, but the second is better in this case. It's harder to track the car with a longer shutter to capture the sense of speed at this angle, but it's possible.

One thing I have learned is that there photographers out there that have the talent and opportunity to take some photos I feel I could never match, but don't let that stop you! Keep taking photos, keep improving, move forward!