There is a road I used to drive with my E92 M3 in my old home town. It’s a long switchback, mostly empty, and no one knows about it. But for this shoot with an E34 M5, the client said “rural”. Time to break out the secret road!
A little back story on this one. Meet Parth. He’s an awesome videographer and friend, and when he called up offering an E34 M5, the most rare of all M5s, I had to tag along.
He and I go way back, and if you have the chance to shoot with friends, I highly recommend it. It offers another perspective, and an able body to help rig shots. In this case, it also offered the ability to do rollers with his Toyota 4Runner.
Picking the location
Parth’s client wanted rural, and though it’s a bit of a drive, I suggested Washington, NJ. That’s 07882, not the more famous town in Bergen County.
It’s a quiet little town in Warren County that’s full of farms and, uncharacteristic of NJ, mountain terrain. If you’d ever like to use it, it’s here: https://goo.gl/maps/DbYwn9FNHfEQCM8q9
Even if just for a drive, it’s probably my favorite stretch of road ever.
The second spot is Spruce Run Park, very quiet in the winter months. It overlooks a lake and has a boat launch from which to stage pics.
The E34 M5
Set against this rural spot would be a 1991 E34 M5, one of the more rare M cars made. I’ve only been close to a few of them. Hearing it roar down the back roads, it’s not hard to see the greatness that would be the E39 coming soon after it. This one was in particularly good shape, and it was hard not to love the aftermarket chrome wheels against the jet black paint of the car. Plus, the hood had a clamshell hinge, something you’d never see on a modern M car.
This car is currently for sale, so please reach out to me if you’d like more information.
Shooting video with stills
Learning to work around videographers is something I’ve become accustomed to. It’s simply sharing the subject and taking turns. I’d drive for Parth as he hung out the back to shoot, and then he did the same for me.
Just keep in mind that you’ll have less sunlight to do the shots you want, and for video guys, once the sun goes down, they’re all done.
Here’s the final piece:
Special thanks to Parth for bringing me out!
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I use Nikon camera bodies and lenses, a Westcott Ice Light 2, Manfrotto tripod, B + W filters and an iMac Pro to make the art you see here.
Email me at mike@machineswithsouls.com with any questions.
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