Rust

Posted by Melissa W. (Warsaw, Indiana, United States) on 24 March 2008 in Transportation and Portfolio.

These old cars belong to a friend of mine. Her husband collects and restores them...these are some of the leftovers. I found that photographing cars is much more challenging than it looks. I applaud those who make it look so easy.

March 2008.

Comments (15)

Ron from Saint Louis, United States

Beautiful warm colors and composition, Melissa. There's something sad about this image that I haven't necessarily felt about the others in the series. On the bright side ... I'm happy that these folks aren't my neighbors.

24 Mar 2008 3:58am

@Ron: I find that really interesting that you felt saddened. In some ways I think these images are a bit sad just because the owner has decided to put these out to pasture (sort of speak) and left to rust. What's interesting about their property, they live up a long winding lane that you'd never guess there was a house or fields back there. There's been some housing development which you can make out from the back of the house, but once all the leaves are on the trees, it's pretty secluded.

paulski from Muncie, United States

while i'm sure that photographing cars is a challenge, this field has certainly given you some great textures, colors, moods to work with. nice capture here; i love the framing and dof...

24 Mar 2008 5:59am

Bonj from Jefferson City, United States

These have been great. I really like the depth of field and giving the focus to the car in the forefront as you have done on some of the others. It might not work well, but I wonder how well the inverse would turn out. Having the car in the background as the focal point.

24 Mar 2008 6:29am

@Bonj: I didn't realize how much I tend to focus on the forefront until you mentioned it...I'll have to work on switching it up a bit. ;) One of these evenings when it's nice I'll have to try it. Thanks for the suggestion, Bonj...very much appreciated.

Eleftheria, 9 years old, from Athens, Greece

Nice composition and colors!

24 Mar 2008 10:52am

danthro from Suburbia, United States

i haven't really tried photographing cars, except for one of my first shots of overflow parking, but i can see how hard it would be, especially compositionally (which seems to always be one of my main concerns). still, i think you've done a pretty good job. i like the light and color and dof. and it looks almost like part of a pattern of old cars, with the front of one and the back of another seemingly almost identical old cars, i can almost imagine a line of these cars out of the frame of the shot.

24 Mar 2008 12:04pm

James from Rice Lake, United States

I really like the composition, and the focus is spot on. The rust and pain on the closer car is just more visually interesting than the burgundy one. My only suggestion would be to remove the white areas in the field past the trees, it detracts from the overall calm of the picture by drawing the eye away from the subject matter. Great shot! (my wife's grandfather has some old cars around, I need to bring the camera next time I'm over there)

24 Mar 2008 12:26pm

@James: Thanks for the suggestion...I really appreciate it.
Yes, you definitely need to bring your camera the next time you're there. :)

Hoopand from Tehran, Iran

perfect objects to shot!

24 Mar 2008 1:48pm

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

I agree with Ron that there is a sadness here that I did not feel so much in the previous . . like they went here to die.

24 Mar 2008 2:23pm

@Ronnie 2¢: Well, it's a good thing there's just a couple more car photos lined up...now you guys have me all depressed about these poor cars. You're right though, they are there to die...and that's very sad. Honestly if I had the means, out of all those cars I would love to "save" the baby blue Chevy. I really fell in love with that car.

Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa

Another fantastic shot in fantastic series. I like what Bonj has to say about the DOF, and some experimentation would be great. I particularly like the colours in this one, and like Ron, find a certain feeling of nostalgia in this one.

24 Mar 2008 2:43pm

@Graham Russon: As always, thank you so much for your encouragement and support. What's kind of funny, I thought I had been experimenting until Bonj brought it to my attention. lol Oh well...the next time I'm out I'll be more mindful of it. Thanks so much, Graham. :)

Anita from West Nottingham, United States

Old rusted cars are part of the rural american landscape. We saw lots when we lived in rural Maine. With suburbia moving out into the countryside, fewer rusting cars are to be seen. Abandoned cars are not my thing, but, I think you have done a good job of capturing them.

24 Mar 2008 4:55pm

Jen from Alpharetta, United States

Wonderful angle an shot (again!!!!)

24 Mar 2008 9:06pm

Will from Gainesville, United States

everyone has said it all....I love the textures and color...and great composition:)

24 Mar 2008 9:08pm

@Will: Thank you so much, Will. :)

drphoto from Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

I'm loving this series so far Melissa =D) You've done really, really.

Dan

24 Mar 2008 9:32pm

amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada

I REALLY love how you're doing these!! The way you're using that lens of yours with the control of the dof and framing is inspiring.

28 Mar 2008 9:06am

@amy: Thank you for taking the time to check out my pblog and for leaving such lovely comments (btw, you pblog is amazing). Your encouragement and support is greatly appreciated. :)

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

I like all these car shots, especially this one.

29 Mar 2008 10:20am

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Canon EOS 30D
1/640 second
F/4.0
ISO 100
90 mm