Detroit is synonymous with cars, Motor City, and Motown. What are cars made out of? Parts. So, what's a Detroit Photographer to do? Shoot parts. Some clients aren't asking much from photographs of their parts; others want good photography. They care about their parts, care about their image, and think good photography will help them sell more of their products. These are my kind of clients. Let me know what you think.
Automotive
Handmade Car
Not long ago I had the pleasure of meeting Gerald and photographing his car. Gerald designed and built this car from scratch! It took 35 years. Just standing next to it is exciting; it's a beautiful car. Just getting it to the studio was a job! The car is so low that an ordinary flatbed truck or trailer would scrape the front end getting on or off the ramp. It took a while, but we got it to the studio for a day and a half of shooting. Let me know what you think.
Detroit Automotive Photographer
I shot this Ford GT a couple of weeks ago using a technique called light painting. Basically, we just walk around the car shining a light at it. There is a lot of trial and error, as well as a fair bit of serendipity. Frankly, it would be difficult to get a really bad photograph of this amazing car. It has a tricked out 800 horse power engine, custom wheels, bumper kit and an awesome paint job. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.
More Charger Hellcat
This is another in the series of photographs of the Custom Charger Hellcat. My client wanted an extremely low angle from the front. It was necessary to raise the car onto apple boxes to get the camera low enough. The low angle and the flaring headlights add intensity. Let me know what you think.
Automotive Detail Photography
While the big picture is important, details are often more interesting. The 700 plus horsepower engine in this customized Dodge Challenger Hellcat is one of those details. Sometimes it’s a spoiler, or wheels. They are as much fun to shoot and arguably as important as the big picture. As always, I’m interested in your thoughts an comments.
Custom Charger Hellcat
This customized Hellcat is a beast! Black cars are great looking, but they are a bear to photograph. You can’t make them black or they won’t have any shape. So they have to be gray, but look black, and shiny. It’s the challenges that keep this profession fun.
Automotive Studio Photography
Finding the best angle for a particular car is an impossibility. Best angle for what? Best to display what the designer was thinking? Or best at telling the story that it’s a zoomy exciting car, or a practical safe family car? You get the Idea. Where you stand and where you point has a huge impact on what a photograph says. It’s one of the best lessons I learned from Walter Farynk when I was in school. As always, I’m interested in hearing your thoughts and comments.
Car Photography
in Photography
Recently I had the opportunity to photograph a customized Impala. Silver is one of the easier car colors to light. All the breaks and shapes in the sheet metal almost define themselves. They added 6 inches to the back seat for a little more leg room. The grill was heavily modified too. More to come! As always I am interested in your thoughts.
Outlaw Mustang
in Photography
I recently had the opportunity to photograph an Outlaw Mustang. Black cars are challenging to shoot, but that makes it more fun. Defining the complex shapes of a shiny car with light and reflection is only part of the goal. It’s also necessary to evoke an emotional response. This story is about how the chin spoiler, rocker sills, low profile rear spoiler and lots of other enhancements make it loads better! Let me know what you think!
Muscle Car Photography
I had the opportunity to photograph a 66 Mustang recently. I love red cars! You could tell that this is Barry’s (the owner's) baby. He called it a “driving car, not a show car”, and he drives it all over! It was a blast to photograph. This is the first of a few shots. Let me know what you think.
Racing Wheels
in Photography
Shooting beautiful, shiny automotive parts is a perk of working and living in metro Detroit. Sure the area has it’s problems, a cyclical economy, the city is bankrupt... Still, if you like cars it’s the place to be. This wheel is formed in three parts to create a strong, light and attractive racing wheel, and it’s made right here in metro Detroit. As always, I am interested in you comments.