A bit late but I thought I’d put together a summary of what happened in 2011, photography wise.
It was another eventful year with some great automotive experiences and also improvement in my photos. The main development was a better use and understanding of off camera flash (strobes), something that I’m hoping to push even further in 2012 with the purchase of either an Elinchrom or Alien Bees setup. I also learnt a few new techniques in regards to post processing my photos in Lightroom and Photoshop, something which is becoming very important for photographers these days – like it or not. Gotta keep up!
In terms of cars that I shot it all started with a pair of Aston Martins. Karl Peskett, the journalist I work with on a lot of my shoots, has a good working relationship with Aston Martin in Australia so we were fortunate enough to spend some time with the Vantage S and Rapide. Days like the one we had with the Rapide where we drove around Perth and its outer suburbs all day experiencing the car and finding photo locations are what make me love this job.
Probably the most amazing car of the year however was the Lamborghini Aventador. The first example turned up in Australia in July at the Barbagallo showroom in Osborne Park, a LHD version in a stunning metallic grey. I was blown away by the appearance of this futuristic looking car and could only imagine what it would be like to drive. Luckily enough I got a huge break later in the year when I was invited to the Sepang F1 circuit in Malaysia to help cover the Aventador launch for Lamborghini. One of the best trips of my life saw me not only photographing this amazing car but also spending 4 laps behind the wheel of it around a Formula 1 track! I look forward to working with Lamborghini again in the near future. Stay tuned!
As I’ve done on three previous occasions I headed out to Alice Springs in the Australian Outback with a bunch of supercar owners to provide some photographic memories of what has become a tradition. I would love to have more time out there with all my equipment to get some truly stunning photos of the cars with such a unique backdrop but driving is the priority on these trips so I have to make do. I look forward to a return in 2012 or 13.
In the final couple of months in 2011 there were a number of less exciting cars to photograph for various reviews but we finished it in style with the BMW 1M which has all the major publications world wide salivating. We shot this car on track after 1 hour of pushing it to its limits and this is where I developed my love for the aforementioned Elinchrom strobes – bright midday sunlight was no problem!
Just in time for Christmas I produced another calendar which can be found on Red Bubble. These are mainly for friends and family although anyone can purchase it, plus it gives me a chance to look back at my photos and work out what I could’ve done better or differently.
Who knows what 2012 holds, but I’m excited to find out!
