Cruisers ~ Ocean City, Md

What a crazy busy spring it has been! Its been a challenge getting time to actually sit down and post to the blog...and since I am heading to Ireland on Friday for my "Magical Ireland Photo Tour", I thought I would get these shots from Cruise Weekend in Ocean City posted. I just love the way some paint jobs on these old cars handle light! This 1941 Plymouth was a beauty and the paint was rich and elegant. The lights are from adjacent businesses as these cars gather on random parking lots as evening comes on and the business lights create amazing reflections light and shadow play.

In the shot below, I was able to catch the setting sun n the headlights..while the soft light of sunset lit up the grill.

I have added a Cruiser Photography weekend workshop in the fall. Here's the link for more info and registration. Link for Cruise Workshop Click Here.

Panning as the car took off from the red light...

Crusin' 2 Ocean City, Md.

Cruiser Reflection

Lined up to enter the Convention Center Lot

Saturday was an absolutely magnificent day at the shore. Temps in the 70's clear blue skies and a slight breeze! The Cruisers were out in force. I spent the afternoon in the Convention Center parking lot enjoying the old cars, chatting with owners and making a few images. Although bright sunny day light is not the best for moody shots, it does have some potential for reflections and lighting details.
I grabbed a few documentary shots just to give folks an idea of the scene. Yesterday I had business to tend to in the afternoon and then it rained all night and chased the q-tip clean cars away! Bummed I didn't get to shoot any more of them.

Pontiac Chieftan Original Hood Ornament. This man has owned this car for 43 years all original! Amazing.
(as a photographer, I loved the yellow ad blue combo)

And who doesn't love a life size Betty Boop with roller skates?

1964 Chevy Impala Tail lights (gotta love the blue sky color in the chrome)

1963? Pontiac Catalina fender emblem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and then there are the spectators...parked in every empty space along the highway, piled into the back of their jacked up pick ups....enjoying the the cruisers run up and down the highway! A fun day in Ocean City, Md.

Crusin' Ocean City, Maryland 2013

Nikon D4 ISO 2400 28-300mm at 300 1/80 sec: VR on hand held

Back on the photo blog after several weeks of real estate distraction, and happy to be shooting again! Like the Horseshoe Crabs that migrate to the beach in the spring to lay eggs, the "crusiers" and I return as well!
I made it down to the beach Thursday as some of the cruisers were also arriving. Then I headed down to the Burger King in Ocean City around dinner time. What can I say about cruisers, except they are awesome! It is really great that we have folks on the planet that spend hard earned dollars and sweat to keep these beauties running! It is a big piece of our history! Shooting is always a challenge in a venue like this...a parking lot party so to speak!
Cars I find are best shot on the edge of night and day at the golden hour. I started shooting about two hours before sunset and walked several blocks making shots and having some fun choosing different angles to minimize all the business of the scene I started getting down on the parking lot and shooting up against the sky. When you change up from your normal standing position to the subject interesting things begin to happen. Reflections are also more interesting from a low angle to the subject.

Nikon D4 ISO 2500 28-300mm at 105 1/13 sec: VR on hand held

Nikon D4 ISO 1250 F13 28-300 at 28 1/80 sec hand held

Then the sky turned awesome colors and I happened to be by this cool 56 or 57 Chevy Belair. The beautiful sunset light was raking down the side of it and really caught my eye. I made a few comps until the light changed. Parking lot lights added fun highlights.