I’ve just passed 1,000 posts on my Instagram page, and to celebrate, I’ve got my top 5 car shots of all-time.
#5 – BMW M3 in Weehawken
We start with the first blog post I wrote on here.
Where: Weehawken, NJ, near Port Imperial.
Time: November 2018
Car: 2008 BMW E92 M3
Backstory: This car belonged to Chris Peer, an Army soldier home from deployment during Thanksgiving break. He wanted the car gone, and was hoping my images would grab some extra attention.
The car was a very similar spec to my own, so I was very familiar with it.
Why it’s on the list: The combination of perfect lighting, color, composition with NYC in the background, and one of my favorite cars of all-time. I could try and replicate it, but it’ll never mean as much as this shot did. This remains the poster shot for showing why the camera you use does not matter.
#4 – GlassParency’s Porsche 911
Where: 631 Coatings warehouse in Long Island
Time: September 2019
Car: 2019 Porsche 911 GT3
Backstory: Clients almost always want a light painting shot, but unless we can find an extremely dark location, it’s limited. To really pull it off, it needs to be DARK.
The owner of 631 coatings had such a place – a warehouse full of cars.
Why it’s on the list: Light painting is always a bit of a crapshoot: “Did I cover the entire car?”, but it worked perfectly here. it’s now one of my most read how-to articles.
#3 – Larry’s R8 in Brooklyn
Where: Brooklyn, NY
Time: March 2018
Car: 2008 Audi R8
Backstory: AMMO NYC. Well, the location of the shoot is in the name of the company. How hard could it be? Very, actually. It was freezing cold, and hey, it’s Larry.
Why it’s on the list: This shot shows the importance of scouting your location. I was hoping the back wall would work, but who knew what kind of graffiti would be there. Turns out, the right kind.
#2 – Sue’s M2 at Pocono Raceway
Where: Pocono raceway
Time: August 2019
Car: 2016 BMW M2
Backstory: Being official media for events offers great perks, but I wanted a special BMW for a place that not many get to shoot at.
Why it’s on the list: Some things are out of my control. Like the kind of sunset I get. Or the location. But mostly, it’s Sue’s car that’s the star. I’ve never shot a prettier M2.
#1 – The BMW M8 at the BMW Performance Center
Where: The BMW Performance Center in South Carolina
Time: May 2021
Car: 2020 BMW M8 Coupe
Driver: Laura Hayes
Backstory: Think about how complex this shot is. I’m in an X5 moving at 50mph. The M8 comes in my frame, then out, in about 5 seconds. The sunlight is constantly moving. And all of this is less than 5 feet from me. Intense.
Laura, one of the pro instructors at the school, can hit her mark take after take, so it’s really all on me to capture the right moment.
Why it’s on the list: It proves what’s possible. What aperture do I shoot at? Exposure? What kind of lens do I use? Truth is, I don’t always worry about that. I’m just trying to capture a moment.
Bonus: The BMW M3 at the BMW Performance Center
Where: The BMW Performance Center in South Carolina
Time: May 2021
Car: 2021 BMW M3 Sedan
Backstory: When I do a roller, I wish I could tell you there was a more scientific way than “spray and pray”, but a lot of times, it’s just luck.
Now that’s not to say there is no method to the madness. I knew this hill offered a clean horizon line. I knew I wanted the car backlit with the setting sun. And I knew I wanted to pull back to reveal the curve of the road.
Why it’s on the list: Every time I look through my shots and see something like this, I still get giddy. “Wow, I can actually do it!” The composition here is perfect.
It might sound silly – I know I can take good shots, but maybe that’s why I love this so much. Each shoot offers something new.
Here’s to another 1,000 moments!
Commissions may be received for product links on this site, so help out if you can. I only write about products I use and believe in.
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.
Follow along on Instagram @machineswithsouls
