The Cadillac on Hemlock Street
This has to be one of the strangest cars I've come across... a chopped 1954 Cadillac with a camper attached... I guess it used to be a status symbol back in the day, but I've never seen one before. Inside the camper is a fake skull wearing Pilots glasses and a red bandana, and decorating the rest of the interior are a host of psychedelic posters that are in different stages of deterioration, slowly falling apart. The old dusty smell is strong as you approach the windows...
I first saw this car three months ago while my wife and I were house hunting. I knew I had to capture it at night, but also knew the sodium light from the street lamps might pose a problem and had no idea how busy the street was at night.
As it turned out, the street was very busy... sort of a shortcut from one main throughway to another, and the person who owns the car keeps a floodlight going, plus the street lamps were closer than I thought... all these factors complicated the shoot, but I was determined. This is the 9th attempt to get the picture without the added glow of headlights.
Though this is in a residential area, I was still a bit wary about attempting this shot. Dogs were barking and the place adjacent to this auto looked like a small junkyard. I was part sure that the owner was going to come out any minute and start yelling...
I toned this photo down in photoshop to take away the yellow overcast and create a darker more sinister scene.
At the shoot I used a combination of Red, Blue, Purple and Green gels. The purple gel was a handmade one that got crushed and left behind... turns out these ones I made with sample gels and gaffers tape that attach to my smaller LED flashlight are much more susceptible to damage than I thought they would be... and I thought they would be.
Camera: Nikon D90
Exposure: 76
Aperture: f/11.0
Focal Length: 28 mm
Exposure: -0.15
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash
26 responses
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Martin E. Morris said (16 Jun 2009):
A really nice image Matt,full of dynamism and character.It was certainly worth all the effort.I wonder if you could speak to the owner.You never know he might like the idea of having this unusual vehicle shot.
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Michael Adams gave props (16 Jun 2009):
Wow. I knew there was some sort of light painting on this when i first saw it. Thanks for the explanation!
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Chris O'Shana gave props (16 Jun 2009):
SWEET JOB
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Arthur Peuckert said (17 Jun 2009):
great capture
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trevor reed gave props (17 Jun 2009):
How crazy is that?
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eithne mythen gave props (18 Jun 2009):
Love it..
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Karen Roberts gave props (19 Jun 2009):
WOw! You know your stuff! Am I ever gonna learn from you! ( I hope). Fantastic outcome!
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Graphistolage David Jubert gave props (23 Jun 2009):
the quality of your pics is impressive !!!
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Phonesvanh Siharat gave props (24 Jun 2009):
great shot! thank you for the details!
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Joerg Schlagheck gave props (7 Jul 2009):
Fantastic find! Goes good with nostalgia, but I might have considered the creepy category also...
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Einar Egeland gave props (26 Jul 2009):
Very interesting composition and colors
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Alice gave props (6 Sep 2009):
Great shot, my vote!
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Dawn Duffield (Deleted) gave props (8 Sep 2009):
Great catch! Hope you found your new home!
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Rebecca Sheehan gave props (11 Sep 2009):
cool shot! voted!
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William Bullimore gave props (16 Sep 2009):
Splendid capture. Nicely composed. Voted.
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Linda Houghton gave props (20 Sep 2009):
Rockin the theme park
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Ivnh HD said (26 Sep 2009):
Love old beat up and forgotten cars! Like it!
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Jean Pierre Vacherot gave props (11 Oct 2009):
Beautiful color, voted
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Mohammed Ali AlQahtani gave props (24 Oct 2009):
Great shot, my vote!
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My Decadia gave props (26 Oct 2009):
Wooow! Stunning!
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Mario Scattoloni gave props (4 Nov 2009):
Yeah, everything they say plus outstanding once again. Vot´d.
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JOE FAILK gave props (10 Nov 2009):
Very well done vote!
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Regenia Brabham gave props (24 Nov 2009):
This is a terrific shot!! Great entry!!! Well worth all the trouble.
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Peter Hauri gave props (4 Dec 2009):
you just met Elvis, alive and well? Didn't you? ;-)
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Matt Granz gave props (4 Dec 2009):
He works road construction these days… gets free donuts, thankyouverymuch.
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Manon Boily gave props (6 Dec 2009):
colors are great and this vehicule is really particular. voted for sure
