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Secret Shoots in Secure Locations – Revealed!

Please note: ‘We’ means the royal we, such as I, Harniman and my trusty gang!

Sometimes we’re lucky enough to receive covert communications from car manufacturers that reveals classified information as we’re asked to shoot at a clandestine location. These requests usually derive from some of the best car manufacturers who would like to see their concepts and prototypes brought to life through photography and sometimes a bit of CGI.

The concepts are occasionally incomplete. This means that we are asked to shoot the prototype, adding little extras using our techniques to show how the finished product will look. This effective way of working has brought many new models to market and we’ve been invited back to shoot the real finished article too.

We’re now allowed to talk about some, as they are already selling like hotcakes but we can still share a few secrets and give insider tips on how we got this gig.

For example, Bentley, one of the best UK manufacturers by far and always an absolute pleasure to shoot. We were proud to be asked to shoot the Continental GT prototype at the factory in Crewe.

Bentley Continental GT launch

The car looked complete but it wasn’t ready for the open road. We took some static shots before shooting back plates, compositing the two and adding motion. The images could then be launched internationally to gauge the reactions of the industry.

This proved to be extremely successful as this first new model by Bentley in years went into production. We shot the production car in Spain along with its later 4 door version the Flying Spur for the global advertising campaigns. The launch process was repeated with the later variation the Continental GT Speed, this time at an earlier stage & using more CGI.

Moving on to Jaguar, another great UK success story, we were directed to find a secure studio and secret location as we were part of only a handful of people allowed to see their prototype before it’s launch.

Jaguar C-XF Prototype studio shoot

The rig we mentioned last week was used in situ to create ideal images for the moving shots, as the car couldn’t be driven at all.

Jaguar C-XF Prototype at a secure location

Jaguar C-XF

You’re probably now familiar with the Jaguar C-XF and the subsequent XF that we also shot when it went into production for the global launch in Monaco.

Many concepts don’t make it to the prototype stage – the Jaguar RD-6 was one of those – seen in the main image above.

From Nifty to Nippy

It’s not always the fastest luxury cars that have prototypes in undisclosed locations though, as the blog on the Nissan Townpod will show you here, along with this we also shot the prototype for the Juke, codename Qazana, creating CG backgrounds based on series of graphic blocks.

Nissan Qazana Concept studio shoot

Nissan Qazana concept rear light studio shot

Nissan Qazana concept – studio shoot & CG blocks

Nissan Townpod concept studio shoot

Nissan Townpod concept animation still

I can’t wait to see what concepts come up throughout the rest of the year, here’s hoping the secret locations are somewhere sunny and hot!