American Beauty

So this post will give you another snap shot into how I think, and how I link things in my mind.Â First, I’m big into “threes”:Â I like movies, music… and old cars. The name of the post, American Beauty, refers to the car, a beautiful 1941 Buick Eight, but it is also the title of one of my favorite films.Â The music I listened to while processing this image is ‘All Right Now‘, by the group Free.Â Not only is that song a great driving song (thus linked to the car and my dream of driving it), but the same song is also featured in one of my favorite scenes in the movie American Beauty (when the character Lester buys his dream car, a red 1970 Pontiac Firebird, and plays the sameÂ song while driving home).Â Come to think of it, it’s been awhile since I’ve watched that flick.Â Think I’ll watch it after I post this classic American Beauty!

American Beauty

Cool shot. Great use of the 1.4. Love how the steering wheel pops.

Thanks, Bob. That lens does not get near the use it deserves. Almost always in my bag, so I just need to be more disciplined about looking for the right compositions to used it.

I haven’t scrolled down enough to know, but do you ever share the steps you go through in photoshop to spruce up a particular photograph? I like the little red button in the middle…almost missed it. The car has a dreamy quality about it. Very nice work!

Hi Marsha. I have talked about it in the past on my old site, but I think I’m about due for another walk-through of sorts. Just never figured people were very interested in that, especially since Trey Ratcliff of Stuck in Customs has such a detailed HDR tutorial on his site.

Terrific DoF here, and loads of character – love it 🙂