From the Archives: Austin's Celica Shoot II

A long, long time ago, I took more photos of my friend Austin's Celica. I say "more" because an even longer time ago, I took some photos of his Celica. Anyways, I took these additional photos of his Celica, but I never got around to editing and publishing them because school got super busy. But, here they now are.

Just because they're old photos doesn't mean they're useless. In fact, I found going through them enlightening on how much I've grown with lighting, composition, color, etc. Also, Lightroom and Photoshop don't care when the photos were taken, meaning I had new canvases to experiment with different editing styles. I experimented with more washed-out/lighter colors plus gradients to give more mood to the photos and to convey the heat and feelings of a summer sunset. Furthermore, I experimented with color, using warming filters and brown colors with gradients to enhance these effects. I definitely liked how these turned out, so hopefully I'll start doing more of this to broaden my styles.

I also got to see how I had no idea how external lighting worked, as seen in these next few photos. I relied on the little light in the day I had left for them, and when that disappeared, using the flash but not very well.

I think it's great to go back and look at your older work. You can see what worked, what didn't, what you still do, and how you've improved. Even though I felt like I've stagnated over the past year or so, I've seen that my efforts to try new things, and my overall photography skills, have actually improved. Hopefully this will also be the start of going through old photos (hence the "From the Archives" title), mainly because I do want to eventually get to my Monterey Car Week 2016 photos....

Matt's Scion FRS

I've been trying to get back into doing photoshoots again. Unfortunately, this summer was busier than I intended, between getting sick, working, FSAE, starting my honors thesis, and moving out of my old apartment. Admittedly, I also haven't been aggressive enough in trying to secure photoshoots, but alas.

However, when my friend Matt said he was looking for photos, I was down for them. He told me that his Scion FRS is at a steady-state. He'll leave it like this for now until he's ready for the next stage, so he figured he should get photos of it now since he'll be able to use them for a while. The highlight of this stage is the Rocket Bunny spoiler, wrapped in carbon fiber. So, naturally I had to showcase that. Of course, he has a good set of other mods as well, both internal and external. Internal upgrades include the intake, Agency Power headers, front and rear sway bars, and an Invidia exhaust with midpipe. Externally, a diffuser, side skirts, black roof wrap, and Autodipped wheels complete the look. 

Matt's FRS is a workhorse. He's put on thousands of miles on it from daily driving and trips. He actually recently came back from California and 86 Fest before this shoot, and the rock chips on the front show.

Matt wanted to take shots at Tempe Town Lake since he never had any shots here. If you've seen my previous photos, you'll see that this is a main spot of mine since I'm usually in Tempe. This shoot also let me discover that the lake security that usually shows up and kicks you out of the ramp at nights/the evenings aren't present during the afternoon, something I'll be taking a note of for later. 

The cloudy, monsoon weather made for a perfect backdrop of the lake. It also made for some interesting lighting situations. When the clouds covered the sun, I opted to go for a cooler temperature to capture the relaxed mood of the weather at the time (this being an Arizonan summer, the fact we could be outside and enjoy the weather says a lot). Being next to the approach path for Sky Harbor also allowed for some cool shots with planes in the background. 

Meanwhile, when the sun came out, since we were approaching the evening, I went for a warmer color temperature to capture the vibrancy of the desert sunsets that we get treated to when the monsoon clouds roll in.

I also have been experimenting more with HDR. The D750 has what I think is faster continuous-high speed shooting as well as more increments than my D5300. Plus, now that I'm using my tripod more and Lightroom having a built-in HDR function, it's been a no-brainer to try using HDR more. 

I definitely have the itch to shoot some more. As time consuming as it is, I still love taking photos, and having a photo shoot is a great chance to get to catch up with people. It was certainly great to get to talk with Matt for a while, since we're both usually busy and can only exchange a few pleasantries when we see each other. 

Dalton and Rachel's Mustangs- Rolling Shots

It's funny how life works sometimes. I've seen Dalton and Rachel's Mustangs at car shows aplenty in the past, but they were like most of the other cars in the show: amazing machines, but faceless and without an owner. I could admire and tag photos on Instagram, but I wouldn't have a face-to-face conversation with the owner. 

Fast forward to the spring 2016 semester at ASU. One of my friends posts on her Snap story that she's riding in a Mustang; "Oh, ok" I thought and was about to quickly go through the story, until something caught my eye: what looked like an air tank in where the backseat should have been. Sure enough, the next photo was a red Mustang GT, the same Mustang GT I kept seeing at car shows. And that is how I met Dalton and got to know about the man behind the machine. Being a photographer himself as well and seeing my work, both Dalton and I vowed to set up a photoshoot. One day, at least, since we were both engineering students, meaning time was not abundant.

 Fast forward again to last weekend, and after enduring our classes, Dalton and I finally got a plan together to take photos. With a date made and a location and time set, it was going to finally happen. Then, Dalton let me know that his friend, Rachel, would also like photos. Turns out she's the owner of the now-Nardo Grey (or as she calls it, Nardo Gay) bagged Mustang that I would also see at car shows. And, I had also gotten to talk to her before at a Pavilions Meet, shortly before the police came to kick us out.  My friend volunteered to drive my car so I could take rollers, and we were all set.

We took the rolling shots on the way to the static photoshoot location. In hindsight, we realized we should have dedicated the entire evening to either rolling shots or static shots due to lighting, but alas, it is what it is. The rolling shots were at the perfect time of day, with the perfect amount of reflections and sun for tasteful lens flares and golden highlights. The trip though was short, only around half a dozen miles, and the opportunities to take photos were further reduced by the need to merge behind them to get into exit lanes. Our route was down the State Route 51 from Bethany Home Rd, down to the I-10 West until we exited at 7th Ave. Looking at a map, you can see that it's not the longest of trips. Still though, 3/4ths of my body was out the window of my car, much to probably the shock and confusion of the evening traffic behind us (which, funny enough, didn't dare try to pass any of us), and I got these shots. 

Stay tuned for the static shots, as well as more information and detail about the cars!

Old Main Formal Portraits

On a Tuesday night (I took these last week), my roommate asked if it was possible to take portrait shots of him so that he can upload a profile picture for his research lab he is working with, which he needed by Friday. Luckily, thanks to me changing my major back to mechanical engineering, allowing me to drop a class, I had plenty of free time, so we decided to take pictures the next day by Old Main in the evening. He needed a close up head shot for the profile picture, so we knocked that out first. We decided the plants by Old Main would make for a good backdrop, especially because the green would contrast the colors of his suit and the light from the setting sun. I offered to Photoshop out his bandaids that he forgot to remove, but he said to leave them, so that's what I did.

Just to make sure he had a variety of professional photos to use in the future, I took some more photos of him in different poses. The fountain makes for a good backdrop, although at this time it's shaded from the sun. However, it causes the plants and Old Main in the background to be highlighted. I didn't try it at the time, but I wish there was a way to use a lower shutter speed to make the water behind the fountain look more "flowey". I probably could achieve this by combining multiple shots, but since we were on a bit of a time crunch I didn't try doing this. Maybe some other time in the future, perhaps?

Lastly, I decided to get some shots at angles and that showed more of his full body so that he would have more variety with the photos he has. I felt these images came out well by using Old Main as the background.

I edited his favorites that night so he would have the pictures immediately, and then I worked on the rest over the course of the week. I'm definitely glad he asked me to do this, since I've been looking to do some more portrait shots, also with male subjects to show that hey, I can take pictures of guys, too. 

Schumacher European

Continuing on the tour of North Scottsdale dealerships under the influence of Barrett Jackson, we come to Schumacher European Ltd. This one dealership had quite a few gems on display. I was first drawn to the blue Lamborghini Aventador SV (seen in the gallery later in the post), but as I was walking towards it, this caught my eye: a white SLS AMG Black Series. I've never seen a Black Series SLS AMG before, and I immediately walked into the dealership to look at it closer. As Frank, a sales associate, and I discussed, white is an incredible color for it. Being white, all of the carbon fiber bits added on to the SLS' body can be fully seen and appreciated, from the aggressive, wide wing to the splitter, canards, and diffuser. I just love how aggressive the car looks, matching its exhaust note and performance perfectly. The unique proportions add to its appeal, with its long hood and compact greenhouse tucked in the rear, surrounded by carbon fiber. I'm a sucker for white cars with black body parts, so to me the color is perfect. 

After admiring the white SLS AMG, I finally went outside to check out my original target, only to discover even more amazing metal present. I spent a good while talking to Sales and Leasing Consultant Irving about the cars in front of us, cars in general, and our participation in motorsports. It's always great talking to another car person, especially since every time it's a reminder of how diverse of a group of people we are. But, after the alarm to a Ferrari 458 was set off by another curious visitor and Irving had to find the keys to turn it off, I turned my attention to the three cars that were in front of me: another Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series, a Lamborghini Murcielago SV, and my original target, a beautiful, blue Lamborghini Aventador SV.

Frank was right, while black is a very nice color on the SLS AMG, giving it a very menacing look, it hides all the details of the carbon fiber that could be seen on the white one. While the black makes the rear end of the car ferocious looking, with the spoiler and diffuser clearly visible, the carbon fiber bits on the sides and fronts vanish into the blackness of the body. Still, it truly is an aggressive looking car. I went from having never seen a Black Series SLS AMG to have seen two in one day.

But, most of my attention was on the Aventador SuperVeloce. I've only seen a red one before, and that was in the cramped, crowded confines of Cars and Coffee. Now, I could freely walk around and soak in the liberal use of carbon fiber, aggressively sharp lines, and aero kit. I've always loved Lamborghini's sharp edges and lines, and in the SV, I love how that design philosophy was turned up to 11. Seeing the setting sun and beautiful Arizonan sky reflect off of those angled body panels was truly a sight to see. The blue, especially in the sunset, was so radiant. It just popped. I wish I could summon the proper words that would do it justice, but alas, all I have are the pictures to show. 

And, I can't forget the Murcielago SV parked next to the Aventador. However, with light getting scarce and the time I said I would be home having passed nearly 3 hours before, I did not take too many shots of it. And, in fact, I totally forgot about the two Ford GTs on display at the front of the dealership, including one heritage car, which is painted in a Gulf racing livery like the GT40s that raced in Le Mans. I was pretty upset about forgetting them, but at the same time, I was running out of light. Maybe some other time I will see them again. 

These two pictures deserved their own gallery. As of right now, I think these are the best pictures I've taken. I got lucky with the angle of the sun, my positioning, and the settings I chose to shoot at. See for yourself:

Lamborghini Aventador LP-750-4 Superveloce in the setting Arizonan sun

Generations of Raging Bulls in the setting sun.