CC reader PrincipalDan sent me a link to a collection of superb night-time shots of cars on the streets of Los Angeles. They’re by professional photographer Gerd Ludwig, who spent some seven years prowling the streets of greater Los Angeles to find where all of the cars sleep at night. And although most of them appear to be legitimate “finds”, and many have “blankets” on to keep the night-time condensation off, I do wonder about this first one, whether it wasn’t staged. Just what are the odds of finding a customized ’60 Olds with the windows open in this setting? Ok; it’s possible, and it certainly makes a fab shot either way.
Now this looks more like a genuine find, a ’68 Cadillac in repose on Appian Way.
Needless to say, to get shots like of this Ford F1 requires the right equipment, lighting, and skill, none of which I have, and explains why I don’t shoot at night.
There’s a lot of covered cars in the full collection of 35 photos, exhibited at the Fahey Klein Gallery, and available for purchase as prints. Most don’t do that much for me, but this one is terrific. And yes, you know what it is.
These large images are from an article in Slate.com. The full series of 35 can be seen here, but not in a very large format.
Nice ~
Although obviously staged , the first photo taken in Los Felis could indeed be a regular pic , the Biig Foot lodge is a popular Bar , the L.A. Cretns M.C. used to hang out there on Thursdays , I was often invited ~ that neighborhood is filled these days with your Industry folks like the nice lady who made my Motocycle cane rig .
-Nate
I have no idea what the covered car is.
About a ’67 or so Lincoln Continental four door.
Without a doubt.
Yes this certainly isn’t guerrilla photography where someone just jumps out of a car and snaps a pic but the surreal quality is part of the attraction. Under the right life circumstances walking down the street and seeing one of these cars (especially if it was the only one on the street) might make you think that you had stumbled through a rip on the space time continuum and give you a sense of foreboding.
Great pics. The white Cadillac is parked in the Laurel Canyon area near the home of a best friend of mine. One of a few spots on a very narrow, winding street that could hold that huge car.
Wow! These pictures are fantastic! That shot of the 1960 Olds really conveys the mood the customizer of the car wanted to project. The Cad pic is also nice but I wish it was a side view.
White Caddy and covered Linc are fantastic!
Give it a shot, Paul. Park your favorite camera on a tripod and experiment with say 30 seconds on up. Low light like this “creeps” up over time no flash or special lighting needed.
Staged or not, gorgeous images. A well-captured night scene does take some skill, and these obviously are the work of a true artist.