A recent car photography workshop was held by Ford Philippines and realme Philippines, attended by technology journalists to explore how modern smartphones can be used to capture striking images of the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Led by automotive photographer Manskee Nascimento, the session focused on practical techniques that help enthusiasts move beyond simple snapshots and toward more expressive, story-driven car photos.
Workshop Overview and Key Participants
The event featured the Ford Mustang Mach-E as the primary subject and the realme 15 Pro 5G as the main shooting device. Ford Philippines organized the workshop in partnership with realme Philippines, inviting journalists to learn directly from Nascimento’s experience in automotive photography.
During the session, participants were encouraged to treat the Mustang Mach-E as more than a static object, exploring ways to highlight its design, stance, and electric identity.
The realme 15 Pro 5G’s camera capabilities were used to demonstrate how smartphone shooters can access manual controls and creative modes once associated mainly with dedicated cameras.
Understanding the Car as a Subject
A key theme of the workshop was the importance of understanding the vehicle and its brand story before pressing the shutter. Nascimento emphasized that doing basic research on the car’s heritage, positioning, and design cues can help photographers choose backdrops and concepts that reinforce the narrative they want to tell.
One example discussed was placing the Mustang Mach-E beside a live stallion to symbolize the evolution from traditional horsepower to an all-electric performance vehicle. Another approach involved shooting the Mach-E in an urban setting while adding hints of foliage to reference its wild lineage, a technique used in a featured image by photographer Levi Verora Jr.
Composition, Perspective, and Timing
Composition and perspective were presented as crucial tools for turning a routine car shot into something more dynamic. The workshop highlighted how photographers can experiment with angles like the worm’s-eye view, which uses foreground elements like pavement lines to draw the viewer’s eye toward the car.
“Electric horse” by Bryan Aliwalas showcased this approach, with the upward tilt of the frame and leading lines guiding attention to the Mustang Mach-E. Participants were also reminded of classic composition techniques like the Rule of Thirds, which places the subject off-center, and the use of negative space to make the car stand out against a cleaner background.
Harnessing Light with Smartphone Controls
Lighting, especially during the so-called golden hour just after sunrise or before sunset, was another major focus. Soft, warm light and natural lens flares can add drama and depth to car images, especially when it’s combined with reflective surfaces and bold body lines.
Attendees also explored how the realme 15 Pro 5G’s camera system and multispectral sensor can help in managing exposure in changing conditions. Using Pro Mode, photographers can manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, or opt for automatic settings when they prefer the device’s processor to make real-time decisions.
Capturing Motion, Energy, and Fine Details
The workshop encouraged participants to experiment with shots that convey speed and energy. Techniques discussed included capturing vehicles on open roads with controlled motion blur and even framing off-road scenes where elements like splashing water emphasize action.
Detail-focused images were also highlighted as a way to show off craftsmanship and unique design touches that might be missed at a glance.
Examples included close-ups of leather seats and interior trim to suggest comfort, as well as images of the Mustang Mach-E’s E-Latch door handles and tri-bar tail lamps, which photographers Anton Laluces and Emman Tortoza both used as focal points in their shots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What was the main focus of the car photography workshop?
A: The workshop focused on teaching journalists how to use smartphones, particularly the realme 15 Pro 5G, to capture more expressive and technically sound images of the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Q: Who led the training session?
A: The session was headlined by seasoned automotive photographer Manskee Nascimento, who shared practical tips on composition, lighting, and storytelling for car photography.
Q: Why was the Ford Mustang Mach-E chosen as the subject?
A: The Mustang Mach-E was chosen to showcase how an all-electric performance vehicle can be photographed to highlight both its design heritage and modern electric identity.
You may also check out our full review of the realme 15 Pro 5G here.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
