04-28-13 Chevrolet Hood Art

You may not have thought much about this but hood ornaments have largely disappeared from "modern" automobiles. This no doubt happened for a variety reason, including aerodynamics, cost and aesthetics. Of course, another reason is that ornaments became a target for thieves and vandals. Some automobile hood ornaments, like the Rolls Royce "Flying Lady," are still part of the design but cleverly disappear through a trap door when the car is turned off and locked. Take that thieves!

This ornament decorates the hood of a beautifully restored 1938 Chevrolet. Randy Tribble, the restorer, told me the car was a real hulk when he started the process and so I'm guessing that the ornament pictured today is a replica. Old or new, it's beautifully designed.

On a technical note, I have to say that this car wasn't photographed in ideal circumstances. I was at the Lake Area Technical Institute Auto Show and while the light was very good, I don't think it was ideal for this kind of photography. I was playing with my 50mm 1.2L lens and when I took the photo, I didn't really like the bright lights beyond this shot. But in the end the bright bokeh the lighting results in seem to complement the photo.

To see more of this auto and to purchase prints, click here.

Canon 5DIII 1/320s f/2.0 ISO400 50mm

04-27-13 Classic Chevrolet

Lake Area Technical Institute hosted its annual car show today. It's a chance for car enthusiasts to show and see some great cars. It's also a chance to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

But for a photographer like me, it also offers an opportunity to get lost in the amazing details that most cars offer the eye. And though there were many cars present, this 1938 Chevrolet called me more than all of the rest. I'm not sure what it was that made me take so many photos but I think it was the beautiful soft green paint and the soft round curves.

This car, incidentally, was restored and shown by local auto restorer Randy Gribble. I didn't stay to see who won today, but this car would certainly get my vote.

To see more of this auto and to purchase prints, click here.

Canon 5DIII 1/320s f/2.8 ISO1600 30mm

Prairie Art?

On the western outskirts of Clark, SD, (pop. 3,436) you will find 9 red and white automobiles that appear to have been abandoned in careful formation. If you ask me, this is art and I'd like to know more about the artist. Years ago, my son Jon, while working for our local newspaper, went looking for a story about the person who was responsible but ran in to a dead end.What does this installation mean? Well, like many works of art, there is the unknown intent of the artist and then there is the meaning the viewer gives it. For me, it is all about alienation, conformity and belonging. . . .

02-14-10 A Week In Paris: Parallel Parking

I apologize if you've been lured to my blog this week thinking that "A Week In Paris" would offer a series of spectacular views of the great monuments and buildings in this amazing city. Those shots have been posted (more or less). Two of my favorites: Here and Here

While those structures help define Paris, so does this snapshot. This was not a car accident; this was someone making the most out of limited curb side parking. I have see this more than once is my travels to the big cities of Europe. I have even seen cars wedged in on both ends and then, as if things could be made worse, cars parking in a new row along side of the blocked-in cars. I have never driven in Paris and don't think that I want to.