The Show Before the Show - City of Hawaiian Gardens Car Show

During the LA Bombs car show in Santa Fe Springs, Kathy and I encountered members of the Compas car club. They extended an invitation to attend their car show, which would be held in mid-July in the City of Hawaiian Gardens. They also provided us with a flyer for the show and we agreed to attend.

We had previously attended their car show, which was exceptionally well-organized. In addition to inviting us to photograph the show, which was scheduled for a Saturday, they offered to allow us to visit the show location on Friday evening to capture images of the club cars that would be pre-positioned the night before the main event.

We departed on Friday evening after Kathy concluded work. Upon arriving, we entered the Fedde Sports Complex as the sun was setting. We located the club cars parked on the outskirts of the baseball fields and re-introduced ourselves to the club members we had previously encountered. After confirming our permission to photograph the approximately ten cars already present, we commenced capturing images.

The rapidly changing evening light due to the setting sun necessitated prompt action. I completed photographing the cars swiftly, while Kathy continued for a while longer. We had anticipated needing to have dinner, drive home, get some rest, and wake up around 4:00 AM to arrive by 5:30 AM the following morning.

Albert from the Compas car club generously provided us with media passes, enabling us to enter the show several hours early. This allowed us to capture our photographs without the presence of hundreds of people. While this arrangement benefits us, it may also be advantageous for the show attendees. By taking our photographs and departing before their arrival, we can avoid obstructing their view.

The photographs below were captured on Friday. Photos from the actual car show will be posted in the coming days.

 

1941 Chevy Special Deluxe - Compas Southeast

At the Los Angeles Bombs car show in Santa Fe Springs, California, we had the opportunity to engage in conversation with several members of the Compas Southeast car club. Among the impressive vehicles on display, a 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe stood out as a remarkable specimen. The distinctive design and aesthetics of these cars are truly captivating when viewed in person.

The car culture prevalent in Los Angeles County is evident in the appreciation of these vehicles by the local community. While stock versions of these cars may lack the distinctive accessories that enhance their visual appeal, such as fog lights, spotlights, cigarette pack holders, hat racks, and dashboard-mounted compasses, these accessories contribute to the cars’ unique character.

The black paint job on the vehicle in question particularly caught my attention, exuding a deep and reflective quality. The interior, which I rarely photograph, was equally impressive considering its age of 84 years. 

 

Old Memories - 1948 Fleetline

During the Los Angeles Bombs car show in Santa Fe Springs, California, I had the opportunity to photograph a remarkable 1948 Fleetline. The body style of the 1947-1948 Fleetline has always captivated me, and when I spotted this particular vehicle across the parking lot, I knew I had to capture its image before another car parked nearby, potentially obstructing the shot.

After completing my photography of the vehicle I was standing in front of, I made my way over to take this shot. I have always been drawn to the two-tone Fleetline paint schemes, as they impart a vintage and period-correct appearance to the car. It is uncertain whether these paint schemes were originally produced by the factory or if contemporary owners simply recognized their appeal and had them applied.

This particular car belongs to the Old Memories Car Club. I have attended several of their car shows, and they consistently showcase exceptional vehicles. As mentioned in my previous post, the car show took place on a pleasant, overcast day, which is ideal for photography. The lighting is exceptionally even, akin to using a very large soft box light. Additionally, it is more comfortable for the photographer to avoid standing outside on a hot asphalt parking lot, enduring heat waves and the potential for heat stroke. Car clubs have meticulously planned for such conditions, which is evident in the presence of pop-up tents in the background. These tents provide much needed shade and their well stocked ice chests provide hydration, ensuring the comfort of club members.

While we are typically pulling a rolling camera bag and a tripod with a camera mounted on top, we do keep some water in the car. Some car clubs offer us water on hot days, which is always appreciated.

Although we were not directly affected by the heat on this particular day, I could sense the approaching heat of summer. Consequently, attending car shows in July and August will require early morning arrivals, assuming that the cars have already arrived and we are permitted to enter the show early. The lighting is always superior at dawn, which is one of the reasons we arrive at the Pomona Auto Swap Meet so early.

 

Moises's '39

In June of this year, Kathy and I attended a car show hosted by the Los Angeles Bombs car club in Santa Fe Springs, California. We had previously previewed the club’s cars at the Rialto car show held earlier this year. At that event, the club members were courteous and inquired about our photography. They informed us of their upcoming car show and extended an invitation for us to attend.

We arrived at the show around 6:30 a.m. and discovered approximately 20 cars already in attendance, including 10 or so parked on the street in front of the industrial lot where the car show was held. We photographed the cars on the street first and then entered the show proper. By that time, there were likely 30 cars parked in the lot. So many impressive cars to photograph! The weather was pleasant and cool with overcast skies. It was essentially an ideal day for photography. We spent some time wandering around and capturing photographs. I alternated between the two cameras I brought and swapped lenses as well. I found a charming 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe tucked away in the front left corner of the parking lot, adjacent to the club’s popup tents where several club members were sitting. I took several sets of photographs of this car, moving my tripod from one location to another. The club members did not approach me but observed me closely. The 1938 and 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe is one of my favorite vehicles, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to capture this particularly fine example.

1948 Pontiac Streamliner - Silver Streak

During an early April morning at the Pomona Auto Swap Meet, I encountered a remarkable automobile. Coincidentally, this discovery occurred just prior to the due date for taxes in the United States. Having filed my taxes several months earlier, I was able to devote my attention to this exquisite vehicle, which I believe to be a 1948 Pontiac Streamliner Silver Streak convertible. Notably, some early 1948 Pontiacs were equipped with engines and transmissions sourced from Italy. While I cannot ascertain whether this particular car possesses this type of engine or transmission, I surmise that convertibles were likely relatively uncommon. My research indicates that, in addition to the convertible model, buyers had the option of selecting a sport coupe with a rumble seat, a business coupe, or a touring sedan.

Hood Ornament in a Twist

This is one of the few instances I can recall when I utilized a Lensbaby manual focus lens to capture a full bracket of HDR exposures. The bokeh (out-of-focus areas) that most Lensbaby models generate does not harmoniously merge into an HDR image. Consequently, the typical outcome is that these bokeh areas are rendered rather harshly. However, this was not the case in the photograph below. I employed my Lensbaby Twist 60 lens to capture this exquisite hood ornament, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the twisty characteristic of the bokeh was beautifully rendered within the HDR image.

This presents numerous new opportunities for me to utilize the Twist 60 lens, and I eagerly anticipate exploring its potential.

1951 Pontiac Chieftain

Kathy and I had a good time at the Pomona Auto Swap meet in late June. My nephew was in town and told me he and his significant other were planning to join us. Kathy and I arrived at the fairgrounds just after 5 am. It was a bit overcast and chilly, which was perfect for us. We usually steer clear of hot days when we’re out taking photos. We found a parking spot quickly and got our cameras out of the trunk. We made our way into the swap meet and even though it was still dark, we managed to spot around 20 cars of the type we’d like to take photos of. Many more cars arrived in the next two hours.

 I noticed this green 1951 Pontiac Chieftain right away. As always, classic Pontiacs are super attractive to me. At first, it was their beautiful hood ornaments that caught my eye, but as time went on, I started to appreciate the overall style of Pontiac vehicles. So, it’s no surprise that when my nephew arrived, I was taking photos of this stunning green Pontiac. In fact, I was just finishing up the 7th set of HDR images when he showed up. I had already taken over a dozen shots of the hood ornament alone!

 

1941 Plymouth Special Deluxe Coupe

Immediately preceding the United States’ entry into World War II, the automotive industry witnessed a surge in stylistic expression and fervor.

During the Pomona auto swap meet, I had the opportunity to encounter a remarkable 1941 Plymouth Special Deluxe Coupe that epitomized this stylistic expression. This vehicle was exhibited at the show courtesy of the Memories of El Monte Car Club.

I was fortunate to locate this exceptional vehicle relatively early in the morning, before the parking area became excessively congested. Later that day, several additional members of the car club parked immediately adjacent to the coupe. I generally favor uncluttered backgrounds whenever feasible. 

Back to Mac

Over the past two years, I have been seeking a macro lens with an extended focal length but have been unable to find one at a reasonable price. Consequently, I have purchased two high-quality telephoto lenses to use as alternatives. While these lenses have performed satisfactorily, I decided to utilize my dedicated 100mm macro lens on this day at Chicano Park in San Diego to photograph a hood ornament.

My macro lens, dating back to the mid-1980s, not only exhibits exceptional sharpness but also possesses the remarkable ability to render out-of-focus areas in an aesthetically pleasing manner. As I commenced composing the shot, I noticed the vibrant and intricate background. My extensive experience has taught me that this frequently yields favorable outcomes. I took approximately eight exposures and selected the most suitable one to post today.

To expedite capturing images, I typically do not employ a tripod for my macro shots, even when I am capturing those images in low light conditions. Instead, I enable Auto ISO, allowing the camera to automatically adjust shutter speed as necessary to preserve sharpness and avoid motion blur. This is accomplished by adjusting the camera sensor’s sensitivity. While this approach may result in a grainy image, Adobe Lightroom’s AI-driven denoising technology enables me to obtain a perfectly clean image without compromising the image’s details.

Achieving the optimal outcome—an ideal situation indeed!

Overpass Gathering

Chicano Park, situated beneath the freeway overpasses leading to the Coronado Bay Bridge in the Barrio Logan neighborhood of San Diego, holds a rich history. After occupation and protests by the residents of the neighborhood, the site was reclaimed from the city. Today, the park is adorned with numerous murals and artworks that proudly showcase the unique cultural heritage of its inhabitants.

On car show days, the overpass transforms into a vibrant gathering place for automotive enthusiasts, where a multitude of exquisite vehicles converge beneath its structure. This spectacle visually embodies the duality of a hidden space that simultaneously serves as a sanctuary. This duality is particularly poignant given the contested nature of this land.

In the 1970s, simply driving a lowered car, like those displayed at the car show, was sufficient grounds for law enforcement to detain the occupants, suspecting them of committing an unknown crime.

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This image is a composite HDR vertorama composed of four sets of images, each containing ten high dynamic range exposures for a total of forty images. During the initial photography session, I experimented with both horizontal and vertical compositions. However, the horizontal shot failed to capture the overpass entirely, even with a wide-angle lens. Conversely, the vertical shot provided a glimpse of the overpass, but excessively cropped off the cars which necessitated the creation of a vertorama.

While capturing forty 61-megapixel shots did consume a significant amount of hard drive space, the I feel the resulting vertorama is worthwhile in this instance.