Okay. We didn't think it prudent to label it "for DUMMIES," since Wiley Publishing probably wouldn't grasp the humour. But, shucks, we also think that "for DIPSTICKS" works just fine, given the subject matter.

As you may know, I've been writing about, publishing about and photographing Shelby Cobras and Cobra replicas, Daytona Coupes and GT40s since the 1980s.

I published my first how-to books on motorcar photography back in 1987, the most popular two titled "Photographing Your Specialty Car for Publication," and "Photographing Your Street Rod for Publication." Many thousands of those little how-to manuals sold over the next several years. But you can ignore the $19.95 cover price: this little gem is yours for at no charge as a CobraCountry advertiser, or even if you're only seeking to capture terrific photos of your car to post on your club's website.

Curt's Golden Rule of Motorcar Photography: Good photographs help you line up buyers; snapshots help you line your birdcage.

Before you click on the link to "...for Dipsticks," check out each set of paired photos below. Each set is of the same Cobra, shot with the same consumer digital camera by the same owner/photographer. The only difference between Photo1 (birdcage-liner snapshot) and Photo2 (superb, motor-journalist–quality photograph) in each matched pair is merely a pinch of gained-and-applied motorcar photography expertise.

On the left, you see, is a routine example of one of the snapshots an owner just like you took of his Cobra BEFORE he (or she) read my photography tips; on the right... well, you get the picture...

Engine photo on left was shot with an iPhone; the one on the right is the same engine compartment shot by the same owner/photographer... but with his inexpensive consumer digital camera. Now perhaps you see why I counsel folks to NOT EVEN CONSIDER using a (sigh) telephone to photograph their car...

Follow my tips carefully. Pay special heed to 1) shooting discipline: don't roam around your car, stopping here & there to click your shutter in trial & error fashion. The trial & error process has already been done for you; 2) the 'Checklist' pages 6–14 [for the best distances, angles and (camera) heights for each variety of shot], and 3) the lighting—use your flash! You'll be on the fast track to capturing (better than) motor-journalist–quality photos of your serpentine drivin' machine.

One other thing: all the photos and graphics in '...for Dipsticks' are in HIGH RESOLUTION. So if you have a larger-than-average computer monitor, you can increase the magification to 150%, 200%, 250%, up to 300%, and see those photos with much greater clarity. Easier to read the text as well.

Click on the pulsating red button below. Print out the 19-page '...for Dipsticks' manual (it's laid out in standard North American 8.5"x11" letter size; you'll need to downsize it accordingly if perchance you reside in some more civilized locale that uses A4 size). It's all high-resolution graphics and text, so if you have premium-quality paper (or better yet, photo-quality satin or glossy paper), use it. The left margin is extra wide—that's so you can 3-hole punch it for a 3-ring binder and retain it for your ready reference... and so you'll have the 'Checklist pages" (pp. 6–14) to refer to during your shooting sessions (that's a subtle hint for you). You'll find the newest addition (schematic illustrations, page 14) most useful: its clear illustrations provide you with a quick visual reference guide for all six of your most critically important shots. Print a spare copy of it, fold it up and have it in your pocket for ready reference.

Cobra Photography Tips

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