Fly On Little Wing

Really felt like the end of summer today. As evening closed in the temperature actually felt brisk and then cold for the first time in recent memory. I saw this '59 Chevy parked facing the heavy clouds which were rolling overhead and decided to make this image.

Golden Hour

I had walked by this car earlier in the day and I liked the light then but now the sun was quickly giving way to evening and the light was very difussed and full of color so I decided to walk back to see if the owner had left yet. This is what I saw. So glad I went back.

The Gathering Light

Kathy and I went to the Ruby's car show tonight which has recently resumed after a long winter and spring hiatus. Summer is around the corner and the evening light was beautiful. I spotted this fantastic looking Pontiac and shot a bunch of photos of its iconic hood ornament since the light was hitting it just right, illuminating the inside of the amber colored Indian head very nicely.

Low Down '57

Low Down '57, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I saw this killer '57 Chevy at the Ruby's car show in July of 2011. I made several sequences of it. This one was shot with the Lens Baby Composer using the Sweet 35 optic. This manual focus lens allows you to specify an area of sharp focus and everything moving away from that area becomes more and more blurred. It provides an interesting effect I like a lot. Given the reduced size of the focus sweet spot, I would guess this was shot at an aperture of about f2.8.

1950's SUV

1950's SUV, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This is a beautiful Chevy Bel-Aire station wagon. Not sure what year it is but maybe 1943 or so. Anybody know? This 10 shot HDR was taken at the Ruby's car show in WhittierCalifornia. I got there late and the sun had already started to set casting nice golden light around this very reflective car.

Let it Burn

Let it Burn, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Here's another view of this slammed caddy. I have included an inset of the fifth of ten exposures that I took to create this HDR image. This is good way to compare what typical photography methods would capture when faced with a scene that has such a wide range of light. As you can see, the inset photo is lacking both shadow and highlight detail. Also I can tell you from personal experience that the inset image does not represent the scene as my eyes remember it.

Our eyes are amazing devices and much more suited to capturing both light and detail than any camera regardless of price. I get a lot of emails from people who hate HDR photography for various reasons. While I respect the opinions of others, I personally feel that this process is very empowering and allows me to capture the scene the way I saw it and even take it further if I choose to do so. What do you think?

Exothermic Reaction

Exothermic Reaction, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I didn't catch the make or model of this car but I don't think this is the original paint! Often car owners remove all manufacturer logos and model name plates. This makes it tough for uninformed people like me. I think this is very cool whatever it is.

Look at that Cadillac

Look at that Cadillac, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I was walking around the Ruby's car show and had 2 people tell me that there was a wicked red, slammed caddy off by itself and not crowded on either side by other cars. This is highly desirable when taking photos with a wide angle lens. By the time I found the car, the sun was going down and the sky was pretty spectacular. When I am faced with a scene like this, where the sky is super bright and I am essentially shooting right into the sun, I am so glad I shoot using the high dynamic range method of photography. Only HDR can pull off a shot like this!

Oscar's Nomad - Plate 2

Oscar's Nomad - Plate 2, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Another image of this amazing 1957 Chevy Nomad.

Oscar's Nomad

Oscar's Nomad, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This 1957 Chevy Nomad was my absolute favorite car from the Uptown Whittier Car Show for 2 years in a row. I had never been fortunate enough to meet the owner but I did drop my business card in the car which features an image of the car itself. I had to work late on Friday so I ended up meeting Kathy and my nephew Santino at the Rubys Car Show a little late. After sneaking up behind me and kicking me in the butt, Kathy told me that the Nomad I liked so much was at the show. After having a quick bite to eat we walked over and met the owner who was very cool. I got a few more shots and this one of them. I'm sure I'll be posting more soon.