1970 Plymouth Cuda on the Bonneville Salt Flats after a rain storm. Reflections are real, no photoshop trickery.

Absolutely beautiful. It's a bit weird, that the car looks outside of the photograph and composed to the right. I would be happy to see something on the left (ie. a mountain), that would be slightly better composition.

I've photographed the bolivian salt plains so I 100% understand there is no trickery here ! I would have liked to have seen the car on the left, pointing right, with the mountain exactly where it is. This would have definitely improved composition.

 

Excellent shot though !

"John Barclay , January 01, 2006; 10:56 P.M. While this is almost a terrific image I feel like the left side of it is wasted space. I really think it would be a whole lot stronger and more comfortable to the eye if the car were on the left side of the frame... Then the space that would be on the right side would not feel so empty... Just my opinion of course but hey this is a critique site right? "

 

With all due respect to John and his opinion, I thoroughly disagree. I think the composition is excellent. Why? Because this is one of those shots that should have big space to show where its come from (left) but I have no idea where it's going afterwards, out to the right of the frame. In the absence of seeing where it's headed, it's left to my imagination to picture it off burbling down a road somewhere. The partly turned wheels add a subtle but vital element to this effect. Often the magic in images is whats left out of the composition. This is one such picture. Excellent work, I applaud your commitment and photographic ability.

 

JOHN

 

www.john-macpherson-photography,com

I wouldn't doubt for a moment you statement about this superb image not being a PS creation, but then: how was the car driven to that point, without leaving any track? How did the driver leave the car, without leaving footprints or creating mud splashes? Perhaps the car was already parked there, before the rainfall? or there is something I don't understand, about the nature of salt beds with water on top? I'm absolutely not "challenging" you - I'm just plain curious.

 

Amazing capture, especially the natural reflection. I think I would prefer the car at the left side of the frame as well. The mountains would then give a nice balance on the right

Hi Greg,

 

firstly, what an amazing photo. - I can't think of any way to make it better but for 1... People might slate me for this but If a shot is this good, you (IMO) need to use P.S. to clone out the black line in the bottom right corner.

 

best regards,

Keith

Looks like you had a rare opportunity and took full advantage of it. Nice.

 

Side issue: you DID wash the underside of the car afterwards? Nothing promotes rust quite like salt water.

This is a great shot. Great detail, colors, I really like it. I would also have preferred, for the sake of balance to see the car on the left side. A minor detail that does not detract from what is a very fine picture.

 

My compliments.

 

 

 

I'm amazed by the people who want the car to be on the left side of the frame. That would reduce this picture to something far less than it is. That would reduce it to "beautiful -- but predictable".

 

Yes, the rules are that you should leave space in front of any moving object (or object that would normally be moving like a car or a plane.)

 

There are lots of other rules too, like the rule of thirds.

 

This photo plays by most of the rules, and breaks one big one, to great effect. By choosing to place the object near to travelling out of frame, it creates an out-of-kilter feel. Photographers and filmmakers use that effect to create excitement, a sense of danger. Watch a film where someone feels trapped and claustrophobic, they will often be framed to the edge with no leading space. Similarly, in a fight or a chase scene, a sense of danger or the unexpected can be created. Certainly, the subject matter of this photo deserves that treatment. A muscle car should engender the feeling of speed, danger, and excitement, even when sitting still. And even when looking beautiful.

 

Wonderful shot.

Thank you so much for all of the comments on this photo. I'm flattered that this photo is still invoking conversation, debate and comments after all this time. It's interesting how some people are so insistent that all "rules of photography" are followed to a "T" and how some people are able to see the benefit of breaking the rules at times. I personally prefer the photo with the car to the right (as submitted) but still love to hear and appreciate others opinions. To be honest, I couldn?t place my finger on the exact reason that I liked it better until reading David Scott's comment. He hit the nail on the head with his breakdown of the photo and was able to verbalize (where I couldn't) why I like it this way. Thanks David, great evaluation and comment.

 

Bonsignore Ezio, you had questions about how the car got there without leaving footprints etc. The salt flats are a perfectly flat layer of salt, many miles wide, and probably 18" or so thick, hard as concrete. When it rains the water just sits on top of the salt and the salt still stays fairly hard. There is no mud, plant life, animals or any signs of life for miles. If you view some of my other photos you may see the salt better when dry. We drive the car trailer out onto the salt and unload the car in the position that it needs to be in for the photo shoot. When the car is repositioned the tires and wheels do need to be sprayed down with clean water otherwise the salt in the water dries fairly quickly on the tires leaving a white film. Oh, and yes, after the shoot, the cars go straight to a car wash to be thoroughly cleaned off.

 

Thanks again for all of the interest and keep the comments comming......

 

amazing capture... amazing... i can't say it enough... amazing.

 

i just picked up a copy of 'ride' magazine because i have a shoot coming up with a couple that both own cammaros and i've never shot cars before... so i've added you to my 'interesting photographers' list.

 

if you have the time, some tips would be appreciated?

 

cheers

jim baker

BTW, I've transferred the Cuda to left side with the oldie MS Photo Editor.

Sorry Greg but, IMHO, it looks better that way although still a minor composition detail - we don't have always to play by the rules...

Anyway, greeeeeeeaat picture!!!

 

Unorthodox framing but it works! Great shot!

Yeah, I had the same question about how the car got there, but, I'll accept your explanation. For my money, I prefer the car on the left side, as it "reads" better, so to speak. Still an excellent image, regardless.

Very nice !

Follow the rules or bend them this is the choice of your composition. 7/7 from me, and as to the rules these questions belong amongst the same bloke who asked "how did you not break through the ice."

Great car, even better surroundings. The reflection is incredible. 7/7

 

Alex

Absolutely Amazing!

 

There is a great soft tone too it, as well as the beautiful forms, and the contrast is perfect!

 

Favourite!

I think the positioning of the car to the right was done for a reason as most PC's have icons on the left of the desktop and therefore you can use this image very well for a desktop background. I think the car is very good on the background.

This is just incredible!! Such great detail and such a magical location!

All the same complements given above really. I do like the composition. Doesn't follow camera club rules of composition... thank goodness!!!!