Hot Rod Culture. B&W Photographs

Im going to be shooting a photography project, with the hot rod culture as the theme. The people, the places, the events, and the life style is what I want to focus on. Yes, there better be some cool cars, but thats not my focus.

For the people Im looking for the charicters, and not the ones who build cars with their check books. People who represent the hot rod culture. Im looking for the home builder, or the guys in the smaller "hole in the wall" shops. Young or old, or maybe a few generations of rodders.

As far as the places go, I might shoot a few of people driving, and the stops along the way. Any cool *** run down gas stations or drive in's(resturants or movies) would be cool. I also really want to show those "hole in the wall" shops, and home garages. Bars, roads that are great for crusin, old wrecking yards and the list goes on. I might get a few pics from a show or two, but I think that could detract from what Im going for.

If you know anything that sounds like what Im looking for let me know. It would be a big plus if its around the Dallas area, or with in a hour or so, but if youve got something great that a little further let me know, but a bunch of travel wolnt work with my schedule, or my budget right now. Im trying to make it to the round up, so if you know anything thats a must there let me know.

I took some photography cl***es in high school a few years ago, and Im doin this for a college cl*** Im taking. Im not trying to make any money, or get in a magazine or book(although all of those would be nice...). I just really want to capture something Im p***ionate about. Im going to be shooting it all in black and white, and doing all of my own processing and printing(the way that seems fitting for something like this).

Thanks in advance for all of your help, it really is appreciated. If I can find a scaner to use, Ill put a few of my old prints up here, and post up some of my prints as I progress with this project.


Thanks,
Cory

 

Sounds like a great project. I think you may have just missed the Lonestar Roundup in Austin. But keep on the board and i'm sure you will have no issues with finding plenty of folks in your area.

good luck

 

Cory, if you get down for the Roundup, get over to Crushproof. There'll be a bunch going on because of the Roundup, but the regular day to day should be just what you are looking for. It's a medium sized space packed wall to wall with customer cars and employee projects. I can't really explain it, but you'll know when you see it.

 

If you can make it to the Roundup, it would probably be good to get together with a crowd of people coming from the Dallas area so you can get some driving pics on the way down. Plus you'll get a lot of the "people" element it sounds like you're looking for.

Not sure when everyone is leaving, but I think the Dirtys are going down Thursday after work, and I'm taking off Friday morning after Slide Jr. gets up. Not sure about the Chupes, or THEM!....

 

Speaking as a half-***ed photographer, the best advice I can give is just to try and be around your subject matter as much as you can.

Start by going to shows (Roundup etc.). Proper framing and cropping can get you some kick*** results that won't look like typical car show pictures. Shows are also a good place for capturing candid shots of the 'characters' you mention.

If you find cars/people you'd like to shoot in a more controlled/portrait environment, see if the owner is willing move the car to a more secluded area. Before going to the show, check out the area a few miles around where the show is located to see if there's a good spot that will supply a decent background. If the car owner is very cool maybe he/she can be persuaded to take a little time to go for a ride to take some shots. It helps to bribe them by promising them some really nice prints, just be sure to make good on your promise.

Good luck with your project, try and post some of your results.
I'd dig seeing what you get.

 

I talked to Danny the other day, Id like to head down there with them, but cant cut out that early. Id like to caravan down there, so if anybody is running down there in a good size pack who can keep it under 80(Im runnin with a 235/3speed), let me know. I should probably spend some time in Lone Star Round Up section of the forum.

Anybody else know of any cool shops/garages/rodders/bars/ect... in the Dallas area(within an hour or two)?

If Im shootin someone, or their shop Ill hook em up with what ever prints come out good. Scoutin out around the show is a good idea, but I dont have the time to do that with the round up this year.


Thanks,
Cory