Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Automotive / Emotive

Car shots usually fall into the categories of details, profile, or action.
But is there such a thing as car "portraits"? Can you capture the personality of an automobile?

Wikiknoweverything says:
A portrait is a painting, photography, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person in which the face and it's expression is predominate. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person.

Maybe I personify inanimate objects too often, especially transportation and or tools.
But when I look at the 40 on this day, oh so long ago, I see more then just an old car on a dried out lake bed.

The history predating it's return to roadworthy-ness (just add ness if you can't think of the correct word) involved dropping yellows, and dropping throttle greens. Like most race horses, it's good parts were studded out and the rest went to sit, ready for the glue factory. A friend travis, confusing it for an old work mule, saved it from its eventual destiny of perpetual restorer-baiting and put it into service as a grand canyon tour mule.

The green 40 seems very proud and confident. It's got the character and swagger of an explorer. It wears the scars of age and experience, with the smile and blind foresight of a child. It's not bitter or angry at what it got dealt, but rather displays a sense of confidence. Like a proud dog, it sits with it's chin held high, it knows exactly what it is, and exactly what it can be.

Perhaps you have to treat things as human, to see the humanity in them.
Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys.

1 comment:

Travis Perich said...

Dude.
That was trippily cool.
You should write a picture book.
¡ørale!
TP