Old Chevy, a photo from Montana, West

Photographer's Note

Chevrolet cars are produced by General Motors. They are named after Louis Chevrolet who co-founded the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in Detroit with William Durant in 1911. I haven't been able to identify the exact model although I suspect it was made in the 1930s. This photo was taken in a junk yard somewhere off the road between West Yellowstone and Bozeman, Montana. A small group of us (on a photographic tour of Yellowstone) descended on this yard and spend a very happy hour taking photographs with the yard owners permission.

bj40, tyro, krzychu30, Lewis88, bukitgolfb301, CLODO, macjake, delpeoples, Royaldevon, williewhistler, bayno, mozzy27, emilbo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tyro (30513) 2012-10-05 2:24

Good morning Ann,

Yup! You've got it right, I'm sure. A Chevrolet pickup truck from 1938 or 1939 - have a dekko at this and this (top picture) - exactly the same as your picture, I reckon. The ones made just a few years later had a wider grille with a big "cheesy grin" if you know what I mean.

Of course, Ann, not only are you into your wonderful "graphic" style pictures but you also love rust too! And general decay as well, which surprises me that you didn't take more pictures of me!

Anyway, although I always feel sorry for old rusty vehicles like this and always dream about getting stuck in with a welding torch and paint gun to repair them, this picture is very appealing to me.

Your composition is excellent, the rusty, dented mudguard (fender) perfectly placed in the foreground together with the totally pristine and shiny polished hub cap (nave plate) at total odds to everything around about it. And those sad "eyes" looking dreamily past you as though seeking out some last faint glimmer of hope.

Gorgeous well (though not overly) saturated colours, perfect exposure with good contrasts and exquisite detail and sharpness.

Now, where's my tow rope to take her home?

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

krzychu30 (15512) 2012-10-05 2:26

Hello Ann,
even if the Chevy has seen better days,it´s still has its own charm and beauty.Well composed and framed scene.Excellent clarity,contrast and nice colors.The picture shows perfectly,that sometimes it´s good to go off the tourist trails.
Have a nice day
Krzysztof

snunney (130967) 2012-10-05 3:35

Hello Ann,
A great capture of this old rust bucket; its neighbour seems to be in a similar state. Good point of view combined with excellent rendering of the tones and textures.

Lewis88 (126) 2012-10-05 3:35

Hi Ann

I'm not an expert on Chevy trucks, but I love this photo. There's something quite alluring about old wrecks like this, but it's often quite difficult to capture it - all too often I end up with a 'snapshot' of a rusty heap. This image tells a story - or even a lifetime of stories - through perfect exposure and framing.

Regards

Neil Lewis

Sergiom (117241) 2012-10-05 4:55

Bonjour Ann,

Cela va prendre beaucoup de tendresse et d'amour pour faire renaitre cette beauté d'antan.J'aime le découpage de l'image ainsi que la texture de la tôle rouillée.

Amicalement

Serge

timecapturer (49288) 2012-10-05 5:07

Hi Ann
love these old wrecks, they have so much texture and fascinating colours of decay about them. This is superbly executed with wonderful sharp detailing and a real sense of character. Strangely beautiful!

Have a great weekend - Brian.

Glint (6171) 2012-10-05 6:37

Hello Ann,
you have found a perfect light to exposed to rust and dents of this old timer. More than dents, crumples! I can see what John eans about the headlights as "dreamy eyes" -he's in love! The headlights and hub cal make an interesting contrast to the rest of the car.
Bev

saxo042 (38078) 2012-10-05 7:33

Hi Ann,
Old cars are always a popular motive, there be a theme for these kind of pictures. This car makes me think of Bonnie and Clyde, aren´t there some bullet holes in the door? Nice forms and colours.
Kind regards
Gunnar

marabu61 (11587) 2012-10-05 14:21

Hello Ann
a charming portrait of this old car, it definitivly has seen better days. Did you know that Chevrolet was actually of Swiss origin?
Well spotted and nicely presented.
have a good weekend
Daniel

ACL1978 (7511) 2012-10-05 15:40

Yep - late 30s looks about right here - this old girl probably saw the dust bowl. This is a very unflinching look at it - no surroundings, just decay. It's a nice effect that highlights the detail throughout.

Andrew

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2012-10-05 16:02

Hi dear Ann

Another so impressive and significant shot.
Very dynamic and also so much appealing image indeed.
Errosion is so strong implication to me, I guess that is your strategy, great tactics indeed! Perfect framework and stable composition as usual. Wonderful and tasetful color touch too. Thank you for your sharing and have a good weekend!

Takero from Tokyo

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-10-05 21:52

Hello Ann - These old cars really make for great subject matter don't they? Whether it is for a textural detail shot or a wider view, they fascinate. Your management here is very good, the good contrast adds life to the image and we see so well the textures and colours. I like the contrasting colours of the second vehicle, it adds vibrancy to the colour palette. Nice work.
Have a lovely weekend Rosemary

PS When we were in Storm's River, we saw one of these old ladies loaded up onto a flat-bed, she was going to be restored! Her condition wasn't a great deal better than this.

CLODO (45116) 2012-10-06 0:54

Hi Ann

I do like it! The soft light reveals the decay of this old car (80 years old) with rusty parts and painting. You focus on the front. we can't get this kind of thing now with the plastic parts in a car.
Have a good WE
CLODO

macjake (98262) 2012-10-06 1:16

Hi Ann
now thats a golden oldie!
what a beauty!
perhaps the face only a mother could love haha

i'm a huge fan of such photos and subjects, as is John.
I'd love to see him tow this one home, as he suggested :)
any photo's of the inside?
great textured photo with the lovely rusted paint and the twisted sheetmetal.
awesome
cheers
craig

delpeoples (60342) 2012-10-06 1:29

Hi dear Ann

I wonder if you had John in mind when you saw this? I certainly did the moment I saw it. Love the strong saturations and textures. The tight cut works well and you chose a good POV to get the best out of this old beauty.

Thanks for sharing, have a great day'
Lisa

dkmurphys (79209) 2012-10-06 1:48

Hi Ann,
Spectacular old rusty face. I like the colors of this detail, always attractive subject. Well taken, enjoy a fine weekend.

Daniel

Royaldevon (85678) 2012-10-06 9:54

Hello Ann,

You have done a fine close-up and captured the details of the rusting vehicle with excellent sharpness. I really like how you have concentrated on this main part of tthe car.
I do think cars posses facial features and this one appears to be challenging you - 'go on, take a good shot. I was quite a cracker in my time!'

Wouldn't this make quite a restoration project for some enthusiastic person!

Have a lovely w/e,
Bev :-)

livermore (1631) 2012-10-07 7:32

Bonjour Ann,
Dommage de laisser pourrir ces belles voitures d'une autre époque.
Beau cadrage bien serré.
Amicalement
Vincent

fabbs99 (17179) 2012-10-07 20:56

Hi Ann,

Great shot of the scrap car.Nice rusty looks taken perfectly on your camera.Excellent composition with some lovely colors coupled with nice light management and presentation.TFS.

Keep sharing and exchanging views.
Best wishes and warm regards
Farhat

williewhistler (16606) 2012-10-09 10:14

Hello Ann,
now that`s a new source of income for our local scrap dealer..
This is a lovely example of what can be achieved with a good eye and a half decent light,with a fine range of colour, tones and textures, it`s a fine piece of photography.
Kind regards Les

boa (8039) 2012-10-09 13:58

Hi Ann,
i would definitely would like to have an old car like this one in my garden if i lived in a house! This is really piece of art in my opinion. The patina in combination of the curves from this old Chevrolet is wonderful.Let`s hope someone brings it back to life again:) I like your composition here with only parts of the front are within the frame, furthermore very sharp and clear with superb colors, Tfs!
Have a nice evening.
Boa

bayno (18348) 2012-10-10 8:08

Ciao Ann,
a real shame to see such a beautiful car reduced in this state, with a good restoration acquire a great value, very nice tones and a clever close-up...
best regards,
Valter

Silvio1953 (220775) 2012-10-11 1:41

Ciao Ann, fantastic old chevy, great details, excellent sharpness, splendid light and colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

mozzy27 (2) 2012-10-12 19:42

Hello Ann
We have a saying here in Australia which goes with the local iconic brand 'Holden' it dates back to the 1940's "Old Holden's never die, they just rust away" I guess it applies to all old vehicles which have long passed their use-by date. They still however possess a certain charm and character. I love it. Great rustic textures and colours. TFS
Cheers Peter

GREGG (7888) 2012-10-13 4:30

Hi Ann,
old age it can be attractive,
Greg

COSTANTINO (115673) 2012-10-13 7:14

Hello
interesting and nice shot showing this
Chevrolet car produced by general Motors
shot with memories from the past
regards
Costantino

lpi (4857) 2012-10-15 5:01

Hi Ann,
Un très bon cadrage sur cette vieille épave.
J'aime la texture de la tôle rouillée.
Amicalement,
LPi

willperrett (14195) 2012-11-07 1:02

Hello Ann
I don't know why it is that wrecked cars, ruined buildings, etc. are so attractive to the camera. But they certainly are, and my archive is full of them too. You've inspired me to post one taken recently in Greece. This is gorgeous: the variety of rust and paint tones, made more subtle by the soft light really make the image speak to us.
Regards
Will

emilbo (22616) 2012-11-16 6:04

Allô Ann!
C'est un genre de photo que j'aime et qui est très intéressante. Ce vieux Chevrolet à surement eu des plus beaux jours mais aujourd'hui il fait le bonheur des photographes. La belle lumière et l'excellente qualité d'image nous montrent bien tous les détails. Excellente présentation et parfait rendu des couleurs de la vieille tôle et de la rouille.
Toutes mes amitiés et merci de ta visite,
Emilius

tenretin (3275) 2013-12-25 9:30

Merry Christmas!
And thank you for this photo is very expressive.
Well seen.
Regards,
JP