The Batman

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 years ago, while I was cruising down the highway, a very interesting car caught my eye. It was the Batmobile. Well.. A Batmobile. It wasn't MY Batmobile, and I barely recognized it without the logo on the side but, rest assured, it was most definitely one version of the Caped Crusader's car.

Now, let me clarify my earlier comment; I'm an 80's child so Michael Keaton is my Batman. There's nothing that has ever hit me like the Burton Batman films. Are they campy? Absolutely. But that set and costume design.. It was unreal. It was fantastical. It was more than just a dark and scary city.. It was like a living comic book. I still enjoy rewatching Batman and Batman Returns for those reasons.

Interestingly enough, the owner of this particular Batmobile considered building the Keaton car before choosing the West car. Why didn't he do that instead? Turns out he didn't just want to build an icon that he'd take to shows. He had every intention of driving whatever he built regularly so he could enjoy it and, if you remember Keaton's car, visibility wasn't ideal for regular driving. So after hearing this from the man himself, I completely understand the choice.

Anyway - a friend of mine, who seems to know every single person in town, heard I was interested in finding the owner of this car. After a brief chat online, we were at this stranger's front door, asking if he was the owner of the Batmobile seen regularly around town. Enter Everett, longtime Batman fan, builder and owner of the car in question. Not only did he confirm he owned it but he even let us into his garage to get a real close look at it and talked details about the build. When I asked if it would be possible to take some pictures, he said he'd rather wait until it was done as he was about to refinish some things. This was March of 2016.

Flash forward to November of 2021 and I intentionally reject an incoming call on my cell because it's typically telemarketers. A few minutes later, a man leaves a voice message asking if this is the photographer he met a while back and that he is the owner of the Batmobile. It was now shoot ready, if I was still interested. I couldn't believe it. It's been over 5 years since we spoke and he actually held onto my number. I was floored. I was also concerned about the idea of trying to bring something like this out to shoot during the winter months.. open top and all. This is why we only just met to finally take some pictures.

I decided to put together two sets of images from this shoot. The set featured here on my portfolio is more indicative of the type of work I’m hired to do. I wanted to put together some images for the owner that showed off various details of the car he’s been building for several years. The next set, which I’m still crafting, will be featured on the River City Congress site (which I’ll link back to here when it’s finished). It includes some cool driving images of the car in action, along with some really great fog and haze night shots created with a DIY portable smoke machine I recently put together.

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony a6600, Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS, Samyang 35 AF f1.4, Samyang AF 85 f1.4, Sigma 18-50 f2.8, B&W CPL, YN360, Manfrotto Tripod, Cutter Propane Insect Fogger

Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop

Back on Track

Every once in a while I start to feel stagnant in the work I’m doing. After dedicating the better part of the last year to focusing on light painting and night photography, I’m hitting that wall. Thankfully, with the spring arriving, the tracks are starting to open back up again. While I’ve never been real interested in motorsport photography, that’s mostly due to the fact that we’re pretty limited in what is available in my area. Aside from an old drag strip that seems to change hands every few years, we’ve got a local SCCA chapter that does a few autocross and rallycross events across the state, and a pretty nice dirt track.

This past Saturday I received an invitation from a friend to join him at the dirt track as it was holding an open practice event. I figured this would be a great opportunity to brush up on my tracking shots and.. well.. that’s really all I did. By the end of my visit, I realized I’d focused entirely on capturing motion shots of cars passing by my lens, as well as a small handful of frozen shots where the cars just looked parked on the track. As I sat down to go through my shots and begin editing, I realized that this was, despite a nice collection of race cars racing, a very bland set of images. So.. what’s missing? Shots of the drivers? Shots of the crowds (well - that’s not possible, as spectators were sparse due to it being a practice night and the cold front that moved in just before the event started)?

Looking for more photos from this night? Here’s the full gallery from this event.

I’m a photo set kind of guy. After my first couple of months into automotive photography, I turned my gaze on publications and features. This taught me that I needed to create sets of images, not just a couple shots of a subject and calling it done. And, to be honest, I’ve never really thought about what a collection of images from a race event is supposed to look like because.. I don’t shoot that kind of thing. Perhaps it’s time to track down someone who excels at this type of photography to see if they can offer a bit of guidance?

*Fun fact - This is my second trip to the dirt track as an adult with a camera. My first trip was to shadow a local driver to put together a short video on how he got into the sport and what drives him. If you enjoyed these photos, you may also enjoy the images and video we put together on him back in 2017: Dueces Wild.

*Fun fact #2 - Did you know I (briefly) hosted an automotive photography interview channel on YouTube? I’m so used to diving in when I’m interested in something, I figured that format could help teach me (and others like me) tips, tricks and techniques for improving in certain areas of the automotive media genre. It’d be fun to get back into that if I could actually track down some big talent again!

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony a6600, Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM, Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS, Sony FE 50mm f1.8

Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop

River City Congress

Driving photo of a Nissan 350Z with a Pandem Rocket Bunny kit

If you look back through my blog for last year, it probably looks like not much was going on. In some ways, that’s true. While I wasn’t shooting as much as I have been in years past, I was actually chasing passion projects and networking more with the local community. In short, I started a new project that I can share a different style of work on.

In the summer of 2021, while I was looking for something different to point my camera at, I stumbled upon an idea that sounded like fun. Having switched my focus on shooting more at night, to help diversify my style from other photographers in my area, I began to receive feedback from people online who felt like the vehicles and style of my work had a very “Need for Speed” vibe to it. Since I grew up on NFS: Underground, this was something I found incredibly flattering - and I wanted to expand on it.

Knowing that the world of NFS consists of fictional cities, pulling from a common nickname for my area seemed fitting. The next step was trying to establish an identity of its own, beyond just a location. Because a lot of the vehicles I started working with were often overlooked by bigger, more mainstream media outlets but typically pretty hyped and supported on social media, I liked the idea of a “by the people, for the people” theme. With that, River City Congress had a ring to it that felt strong, exciting and even a bit prestigious.

“So.. what exactly is River City Congress?” - Everyone

It’s a project, really… River City Congress is a brand I’ve created to focus on celebrating the diversity of automotive culture in the Midwest. While I’d initially planned to focus entirely on vehicles/builds within my hometown, I’ve since opted to expand to areas across the Midwest. Why? Because enthusiasts in my area aren’t the only ones underrepresented. Oh, and eventually I’m going to run out of cool stuff to work with here, so why back myself into a corner like that?

The only common factor that will always be in play when creating imagery for RCC is that it will - always - be featured at night or indoors. Don’t get me wrong. The sun is great and I love working with it but this is a stylistic choice that mirrors the look and feel of the very subculture that inspired all of this. It’s forever an important part of what makes RCC the project it is.

RIVER CITY CONGRESS

Merry Christmas!

Another year has come and gone and, despite not shooting as much this year, I’ve kept myself busy by creating a new project. For those who follow me on social media, you’ve probably already heard about River City Congress. So what is it? Well.. once I’ve got a real page that doesn’t compress the images down into smaller bytes, we’ll talk about that. Until then, here are a few Christmas images I put together for the new project.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to each and every one of you!

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS, Samyang AF 35 f/1.4, Samyang AF 18 f/2.8, B&W CPL, Rig Pro 20’ Kit

Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop

Spooky season is here..

It's that time of year again. Seems like it always sneaks up on me and suddenly I'm scrambling to figure out something fun or creative to do. This year was no exception but, to be honest, I'm pretty happy with how this one worked out. While my monster cars have previously represented actual monsters of old horror stories, exception to the Ghostbusters Ecto 1 replica I photographed last year, this year was another vehicle that I took creative liberties with. As soon as I ran across a video of this monster truck that a local friend picked up, I knew it'd be a neat fit to do something with.. but I couldn't quite wrap my head around what that was. A generic monster transformation? A real life version of the Monster Truck from the animated movie? An attempt at Bigfoot in the woods? There were several options.. of which I chose none.

After taking a look at the truck in person and realizing we had limitations on where we could take it (it's not street legal and we couldn't get it started that night to actually drive it anywhere) I made a different creative choice. Since the vehicle fits the era of one of my favorite Halloween watches, Stranger Things, and since I'd not jumped on that bandwagon when everyone else was, because I didn't have an era appropriate vehicle or anything tying my subject to the show, this seemed like as good an opportunity as any.

While my previous incarnations have been static photos only, I decided to put a little extra work into this and make it animated to really hammer home the Upside Down effect. A couple of points to mention - I legit love sound design and this was a really great opportunity to play around with some. Also, I cannibalized some stock tornado images to add a little depth/texture to the Mind Flayer. Fingers crossed you noticed and it was worth the effort to more people than just myself.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Are you OK?

A friend recently asked me if he needed to be worried. Apparently I’ve been shooting a higher number of stance cars than most other enthusiasts in my part of the country care to look at. I get it.. They aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. At one point in my life, they certainly weren’t mine. After all - I’m nearing my 40’s, have three kids at home, enjoy traveling and commute from one side of town to the other on the daily just to get to work. What I mean to say is, if it isn’t “practical” it’s not something I typically give much thought to.

I guess that’s why the last few months have been so important to me and to this.. my creative outlet. Rather than ending up in a rut, shooting the same stuff that I’ve been shooting, conversing with the same people I typically engage with, I decided to move in a different direction. To step outside of my comfort zone and see where it takes me. If I told you it has been easy to meet with complete strangers at night, with half a plan, a camera and a flashlight.. Well.. how’s the saying go? “Nothing worth doing is easy.”

So here we are. Another local Pavement Killer, added to my portfolio. After an impressive and completely bumperless run at a relatively mild looking driveway - he was off the street and tucked safely inside the shop. Once inside, he asked me how I wanted the car positioned. When I mentioned turning it around, he grabbed the floor jack, slid it gingerly under the rear of the xB, lifted the rear of the car up to a height the casual motorist would still find concerning, and began to spin the entire car around in a circle. (No matter who you are or what you think you know about stance car owners and builders, I promise you they’re more resourceful than you realize.)

We spent about an hour and a half inside the shop, spinning this brave little toaster like it was on a Lazy Susan, in various directions to help me create the images you see here. During that time, I prodded the owner with questions about his cars, his kids and even his job. He responded with just enough information to be polite and respectful and suddenly I felt like a reporter digging for dirt. The irony here is that I’ve mostly grown to ignore people when I’m shooting, because I become too wrapped up in what I’m doing and I forget about the human experience. So here I am.. paired off with the perfect client that can respect that, and I can’t seem to keep myself from making small talk to fill the silence. Looks like this new direction has me growing more than I realized.

Tried something new for the ‘gram. If you want to see more of this stuff in the future > @JamesSanny

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS, B&W CPL, YN360, Sunpak Tripod

Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop

Grassroots Stance

Sometimes it's nice to take a break from the usual subjects and visit an entirely different subculture of the automotive scene. A few months ago I'd been looking for something low to get out and shoot at night. After setting up a meet with Parker and his Accord, I was quickly introduced to his friend Zach.

Zach is the fab guy for his group of friends. When they need more low, more clearance, more anything, he's the guy. He's pretty busy, helping friends out and getting their cars ready for shows all over the country. When I reached out about setting up this shoot, he actually had to put a friend's build on hold so he could make sure his car was ready and able to make it out.

After posting a few of these online over the last week, someone made a comment referring to his car as "grassroots stance." I'd absolutely never thought about it that way but it totally fits the bill - and I love it.

Red, White & Blue

So.. many years ago I ran across this fun tradition where automotive photographers will share images of a red, white and blue vehicle that they’ve photographed over the last year. It’s silly.. but hey, it’s become a tradition at this point, so why stop? Anyway.. Each year, I pick a theme based on the images I select. This year, I wanted to pick images I was proud of creating over the last year. Each of these vehicle images encompasses something I'm proud of doing when capturing and creating the final versions. So.. here we go.

Red: I chose this image of a red Chevy SS that I shot for a local detail shop because, if you've photographed and processed red vehicle images, you know how hard it is to keep them RED. The blues in the sky and magentas in your color balance can create an absolute nightmare of a finished look. I worked very hard to create a natural looking final image here because it was challenging and I wanted my client to have a good representation of the work he does.

White: This vehicle isn't winning anyone's heart.. except mine. This is my car. It's taken my family and I all over the country, to various national parks, and even helped pull it's more luxurious hybrid cousin out of some mudslide action at a semi nearby, popular rock formation. I took my Tribute out in the fall of last year with the goal to shoot it in an appropriate environment and I wanted to strobe it in such a way that it could emulate actual sunlight highlighting the shape. Having taken a shot of the rear, using only sunlight, to gauge the overall look - I think I nailed it.

Blue: So another grand idea I'd hoped for earlier this year was to start a video podcast on automotive photography. Something kinda like Top Gear but for photographers. We shot a pilot and it was a blast. This SC400, owned by a close friend, was our subject for the pilot. After we wrapped shooting, we took it up on this train deck to take a few photos in the sun. As a train went rocketing by, I couldn't get to my tripod in time. I knew I wanted to capture the motion of the train but am horrible at having a steady hand. Yes, inbody stabilization helped.. but hey, I'm proud I was able to get the shot I wanted, handheld, when I'm used to planting my camera on a tripod.

And if you’re curious, here’s a glimpse at the previous years. Since this started on Instagram, they’re mostly formatted accordingly.

Poster Cars: Stance Edition..?

Every once in a while I'll get a wild hair and want to get my hands on something completely out of my wheelhouse to photograph. I wouldn't say any type of vehicle is more my type than anything else but, for sure, stanced cars are a breed I have very little knowledge or familiarity with. So.. a couple months back, when I was missing shooting the local nightlife, I dropped a post on Facebook looking for someone to donate some time for some content. Enter Parker..

We linked up at a local gas station, I told him I couldn't believe his car could actually move around town at the static height it was sitting at, he laughed, and we hit the road. The first goal was to get some rolling shots of his car sweeping streets.. because, why wouldn't you? When something is that low, that's kind of the magic behind it doing its thing. We took it out onto the highway and under one of the new overpasses, just because I knew there'd be some lighting there that could help push the image over the top. And, according to the number of likes that image gathered on Instagram, we succeeded.

From there, we found an empty parking lot (the middle of nowhere doesn't have much else to offer), and snapped a few more images. I didn't think much of it beyond just a night to hang out, meet a fellow enthusiast, and create some content.. and then the next day I get a message from the editor of Fast Car Magazine. He wanted more info, more photos and contact details for Parker. They were seriously considering it for a feature in their publication. To say Parker was thrilled might be an understatement.

A couple months passed and the feature is now out in the July 2021 issue of Fast Car Magazine. And, as if that isn't cool enough, his car landed the pull-out poster feature. Remember the car posters you'd pull out of your magazines as a kid and hang them on the walls in your room? Parker's car is now one of those cars.. Which also means I created one of those posters.. Somebody, pinch me. (Update - So I totally jumped the gun on this, based on the design work on the cover, and assumed the rig shot we put together of his car was the pull-out poster. After finally getting my hands on the publication, it turns out I was incorrect! Big bummer.. But I guess I can add this goal to my list for future projects!)

Todd Grant - Pt 2

Once upon a time I wrote about a friend of mine’s incredibly clean Honda Civic. The title actually alluded to the fact that he owned more than one pristine, perfectly modified Honda. The reality is that, currently, he owns 3 show winners and a couple of pretty classy looking dailies. It’s clearly an obsession.

Listen.. I’m not a writer. Heck - I’m not even technically a “car guy.” I’m here because, like Todd, I have an obsession. If it’s got a motor, I want to shoot it. And, in most cases, I try to challenge myself to do something different each time I get out and shoot. While night photography isn’t really a new endeavor for me, trying to find other spots in a fairly small city to capture these cars and help bring out their personalities is nothing short of daunting. Not only is it getting harder, with the limited space of where I live, but the current climate doesn’t make things any easier (weather and otherwise). But, enough about me..

If you’ve ever met Todd, you know his most prized possessions are his cars. Back when I first met him, I noticed his love of white cars. The dynamic pair I was first introduced to were the cleanest pair of rad era Hondas I’d ever seen. So it came as a complete shock to me when he picked up this beautiful addition, in an incredible metallic red paint that was stunning enough to stop anyone dead in their tracks. And, just like with his other two girls who stayed home for this venture, this car comes complete with an era appropriate, quality sound system (which you won’t see here, thanks to the guy who agreed to fix Todd’s amp and then pulled a Casper) and a set of perfect wheels.

As much as I’d love to tell you all about what’s going on under the hood, which is what really makes this car special, a proper build sheet has yet to fall across my email box. Of course, if you really know Todd, it’s pretty hard to send over a complete list of modifications on his cars because, like any true artist, his work is never done. Heck.. If you’ve seen this car in person, it’s likely rocking different wheels since I shot these. (To be fair - these were taken in July of 2020.. so that may not be on him.) Regardless, one day he’ll share with us all the secrets behind what makes this old girl the spiciest Civic around.

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS, Sony FE 50 1.8, Sigma MC-11 EF adapter, Canon 17-40L, B&W CPL, YN360, Einstein e640, Yongnuo Wireless Triggers, RigPro 15’ kit, Manfrotto Tripod

Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop

Ecto 1K

Born in 1984, it almost feels like it's my obligation to love the movie Ghostbusters. It is, after all, touted as being one of the best comedies ever made. And, for those of us who enjoy ghost stories and comedy, it's a pretty solid blend of the two. For me though, this was more than a love of the movie itself. It was my first journey into fantastic technology. Over the top toys that every kid wished they had in the 80's, even if they'd never seen a real ghost.

While I did get a shot to photograph an Ecto replica back in 2016, it was a modern day take on the classic car. The Denver Ghostbusters Ecto Magnum was really a brilliant car and getting picked up at my hotel in it was a moment I'll never forget. Cruising around a city I don't know, with guys I don't know, in a car I would've died to have.. That was one for the books! For what it's worth, I still think the Dodge Magnum is the best modern platform for today's team, but the Cadillac CTS-V is definitely a close second. All that to say, seeing a more accurate, nearly identical year replica felt like an entirely different ballgame.

This 1964 Cadillac Miller Meteor Ambulance, done up to look like the original '59 Ecto 1 was fantastic. Watching it roll down the highway, lights flashing, seeing the the back loaded up with the packs.. It was like I was living in a scene from the movie (well - the new one where things are happening in the Midwest, not New York City). In fact, that was the goal of this little get together. Not only did I want to see the car in person and get a chance to photograph it but I also wanted to try and create some imagery that felt like it could've come from the newest Ghostbusters film, Afterlife. Since I live in Kansas, the scenery from the new film felt a bit more doable than anything larger scale.

My goal was to try and tell a story with these. While I definitely could've used the owners, as they were suited up, I knew my time was limited and I really wanted to focus on the car. Hopefully I've done the car justice and definitely hope to meet back up again when the new film is out to possibly recreate some movie scenes!

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS, B&W CPL, YN360, Sunpak Tripod

Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop

It's been a minute..

It’s pretty hard to wrap up what 2020 has been like. While it definitely hasn’t been what most of us thought it would be, there have been opportunities to try new things and revisit old ideas. Since it’s October, and I’m pretty passionate about Halloween and spooky stories, I thought this would be a good opportunity to re share an old project I’d put together that I’m still fairly proud of: #weirdkansas. It’s not automotive related but it’s fun and worthy of an easier place to be found (the project is buried in my old blog that no one visits anymore).

History has a way of changing on the tongues of those who tell its passing. Like the children's game "Telephone," details get lost in translation as they pass from one person to the next. It is this break down in communication that brings out the truly strange and unusual. These obscure tales, commonly referred to as urban legends, offer us a glimpse into a world that shouldn't exist. A place where unexplainable things transpire and, without a doubt, someone knew someone who witnessed them personally.

Kansas is no stranger to urban legends, with many so frighteningly detailed and well told that you'll have yourself questioning where the line between fact and fiction actually is. While some of the more widely circulated stories do seem to overlap legends found in regions all over the world, like the cry baby bridge or the man with the hook, there are a few unique to the heart of the plains. In this series, one I've grown comfortable referring to as #weirdkansas, you'll be introduced to some of the most common urban legends in the state of Kansas.

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Theorosa's Bridge | #weirdkansas

Arguably the most widely known urban legend in the state of Kansas, this bridge is a local take on a global legend. The crybaby bridge legend generally involves a bridge, haunted by a spirit that has endured some sort of pain due to the loss of a child. In some cases, this is the spirit of the child haunting the location. In others, it's the spirit of the mother who lost the baby. Theorosa's Bridge in Valley Center is the latter of the two.

The facts are different depending on who you talk to, which helps solidify the notion that this historical account falls into the legend category, but it is said that the restless spirit of a young woman haunts the bridge where she once lost her baby. Alleged encounters tell the tale of cries from the dark water below the bridge, her appearance if you taunt her by saying you have her baby, and even car trouble once on the bridge.

Based on the stories that circulate about the bridge, concerning Theorosa's interaction with those who pass over her bridge and/or attempt to communicate with her, it's safe to say that the legend of Theorosa would be considered an intelligent haunting.

The Hidden Staircase | #weirdkansas

It is said that even the Pope won't fly over Kansas which, ironically, is commonly referred to as "flyover country." While some could assume it's because he prefers a relaxing drive through the plains, local Kansas residents know why. Just 12 miles west of the home of Kansas University is a little town known as Stull, KS. According to legend, the cemetery just outside of town houses one of the seven gates to the underworld.

While the stories vary on just exactly what does and doesn't happen, two common elements are generally found in every tale. The first, that an old, dilapidated church used to promise shelter from the rain or elements, despite having no roof. Second, somewhere behind the crumbling house of worship lay a hidden staircase to the underworld. Anyone who dared to descend the hidden staircase would likely experience disorientation, a loss of time, and may even disappear.

The details accounted by those who have visited Stull's cemetery would lead just about anyone to believe that this type of haunted location should be filed in the demonic category. While no occurrences have been documented regularly, the presence of Death and the staircase to the Underworld, appearing on All Hallow's Eve, makes this estimation a pretty safe bet.

The Broadview Hotel's Resident Jester | #weirdkansas

Somewhat recently renovated and picked up by the Drury Inn chain, the Broadview Hotel is one of the oldest and most historic places to spend an overnight in Wichita, KS. While many of the amenities have been updated to provide guests with an updated and comfortable experience, some details have been left in place to remind you that this isn't just any ordinary hotel. Included in those details is the quirky spirit of a 1920's prankster - Clarence.

Like most stories involving ghosts and hauntings, you'll be hard pressed to find two stories exactly alike in regards to Clarence. However, many of the details surrounding experiences had with Clarence share similarities. From time to time, he enjoys rearranging the furniture and laying the curtains flat against the ceiling. However, he's more commonly noticed when pranking the front desk clerks with a phone call full of dead air.

#weirdkansas - Clarence of the Broadview Hotel

Many believe a spirit is trapped in the location of its death and, if that is the case, though the details surrounding his death are grim, Clarence has found an enjoyable way to pass the time. While he is rarely visible to those who experience his presence, his interaction with the living would suggest that he is an intelligent haunting.

Topeka's Albino Lady | #weirdkansas
Known primarily for being the state capital, there is far more to Topeka than many know. It's the home of the first million dollar high school (which is ridiculously ironic these days), the home of the Hallmark Cards plant (happy holidays!), used to be the home of Carrie Nation (the hatchet wielding woman, not the band), and continues to be the regular stomping grounds for the routine following Albino Lady.

Most stories surrounding this stately specter involve regular sightings of her pail form, walking through the old Rochester Cemetery, and even down the sidewalks and through the yards of nearby homes. Allegedly, a regular witness began watching the woman each night as she would pass through his yard. After several nights of gawking, she took notice. The following night, the man watched and waited but never saw her pass through his yard. On the way to bed, he felt the urge to check on his kids.. and that's when he saw her, staring in their bedroom window.

Due to most of the tales and sightings mentioning her routine actions, regular route, and distaste in interaction with the living, some believe the Albino Lady to be a residual haunting. However, if she truly has interacted with the man in the account above, this would more likely place her in the intelligent category.

The Hamburger Huntsman of Sand Hills | #weirdkansas

Hutchinson, home of the Cosmosphere and Strataca (the salt mines), is best known as the place that hosts the Kansas State Fair. It's just a short drive from the largest city in Kansas, offers many of the same attractions, and even has its own state park. The Sand Hills State Park, located just outside of the city, is about as oddly named as they come. While there are, in fact, a few large hills that appear to be made of sand, the majority of this park is made up of weeds, odd plants, some sparse woods, and a hook-handed killer that lives in a tiny shack.

Known affectionately by the locals as the "Hamburger Man," his legend is one of the oldest in the state. Some say he's known by this name because he grinds up his victims into hamburger meat. Others claim his name was given to him because his face is so badly scarred that it resembles ground beef. It is also unknown if he shares a pulse with those he hunts, or a place in the afterlife with those he catches. The two most common details about this myth give him a hook for a hand and a small, run down shack of a home in the woods.

#weirdkansas - Hamburger Hunstman of Sand Hills

Since it's unknown if the Hamburger Man is living or dead, it's difficult to designate a class for his legend. If he is the spirit of a man who once was, his interactions with his victims would place him in the intelligent haunting category. However, if he's among the living, the obvious designation would be that of a serial killer.

Haunted Highway 75 | #weirdkansas

Like every state, Kansas is home to many a highway. Another commonality between highways in each state is that many become dated and practically abandoned. Highway 75, in Southeast Kansas, is among the list of these older, lesser used highways. While there are still drivers who use this old road to get around, many have found updated routes. At least, many of those who still need proof of insurance and an updated license.

It is said that a small stretch of old Highway 75 is haunted. In a bizarre twist, it's not haunted by the usual spirit of a person or animal. Instead, this unique haunting has been described as a phantom, 1960's Cadillac. On many occasions drivers will see an old, bright white Cadillac come up behind them, begin to pass in the oncoming lane, and then just vanish. Some have even reported this occurrence to have taken place several times when they've used Highway 75.

Among all the stories of this fast moving phantom, none have described the driver or given any indication that it's interacting with them. While it does attempt to pass those who see it, if this particular scenario continues to loop in the same stretch of highway then it is entirely possible that the activity is purely residual.

2019 Year in Review

In 2015, I decided that I wanted to start shooting cars and build stories. I hoped I'd get the chance to have my work featured in publications, backed by brands people knew all over the world. At the time, there wasn't a single reason why that should've or could've happened. So I started practicing. I photographed a variety of vehicles, even shooting some small videos to help with story telling and to dip my feet into a changing market, all with the hope of being noticed by the right people and paving the way for a future in automotive photojournalism.

In 2018, I decided that hope wasn't getting me anywhere. I teamed up with a friend who had a pretty incredible Volkswagen, we put together a fairly challenging shoot at night, released a single image and a blog post about what we hoped to accomplish, and then I actually did the leg work to get that in front of the right eyes. Instead of a quick share on Facebook or Instagram, I looked up the editor's information of the publication I wanted in, I passed on the private gallery of photos even the owner hadn't seen yet, along with some build details, and told them exactly what I wanted. Seven hours later it was green lit to be published.

2019 has been the year that my work has transcended beyond my own label, Cinemauto, and into the pages of some well known publications. While I've had a few small bits in publications before, this is the year I took control, started the conversations, and made the necessary moves to bring my dream to life. It sounds ridiculous to say that, because it's only been three publications this year, but two have landed covers. For someone who was absolutely no one this time last year, I consider that a victory.

As I write what will likely be my last entry for 2019, I'm thankful. I've had the chance to work with some really great people, to share my passion for this craft with more people than I ever imagined, and to grow as both an artist and an individual. While photojournalism will likely never be a career for me, its practice has taught me a great deal this year. Having crushed my 2019 goal, I'm excited to see what 2020 brings!

Monster Cars

A few years back I got a wild hair and wanted to try my hand at crossing my favorite holiday with my favorite hobby. Some backstory: I started my digital photography path by going to design school and learning Photoshop. This helped a lot when it came time to learn about editing RAW files and photo manipulation. So much so that I jumped into creating a small project that brought some local urban legends to life (this project was called #weirdkansas - if you’re interested, here’s Part 1 and Part 2).

Anyway, the love affair with creepy Halloween stuff led me to wonder what I could do to blend these two things. Since I was still relatively new to rigging cars, I figured it'd be a fun challenge to include a rigged car in the image.. and then it hit me. I wanted a vehicle in motion that could represent a ghost or some kind of lore. Why not rig a Mustang and shoot for a Headless Horseman vibe? So yeah - that's what I did and how I got started on this Monster Cars path.

Fast forward to September of 2019 and I'm bouncing ideas off of my wife, trying to figure out how I can mash the holiday and hobby together again. I'd long considered a Frankenstein's Monster image.. but figured I'd need something crazy tall. Then, while looking through images for inspiration, I realized that I could achieve that large monster look by shooting from above. In fact, that'd play out perfectly because it would give me an opportunity to simulate the table he laid on before being animated.

Rounding up my first set of super cheap lights that I bought back in 2010, I set to work to create a layout that would simulate Tesla coils. Adding a third light to the mix, using a flashlight and a florescent tube light cover, I created the lightning rod. Of course, I don't actually have access to a Tesla coil, so the lightning bolts themselves were brushes created in Photoshop. And my method for capturing this top down image: the DJI Phantom 4 Pro. (If I'm totally honest, I didn't think this was going to work out. I'd never done bracketing with a drone before and the wind was absolutely insane the night I shot this.. but it actually worked!)

Now, I knew for a couple years I'd been wanting to do something with Frankenstein for a future image.. but having missed a few years in between, one monster wasn't going to cut it for this year. Considering some of the other obvious choices, Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy - I went for one that was a bit less common and possibly more of a challenge: the Creature.

If you've been following my work as of late, it's no surprise that I used a buddy's off-road rig to create this shot. Its ability to handle water without issue, as well as its fish eye style bumper lights and wide flared front fenders made it a great fit. All that was left to do was figure out the where and the how - and that was the simplest part of the whole thing. By the time we were done, we were sitting in a small pool of water, next to Wichita's infamous "Big Ditch," and using 16 pounds of dry ice to create the necessary fog to make the scene a bit more eerie. (If you haven't seen The Creature from the Black Lagoon - it's almost all shot during the day, totally black and white, and is cheesy as all get out.. but man does it look good for the time it was made!)

So, there's some backstory on the why behind these images, as well as some info on how they were created. If you've got questions, I've got answers - so feel free to hit me up and I'll be happy to share what I can! Happy Halloween, friends!

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, B&W CPL, YN360, Vagabond Mini, Flashpoint Light Kit, Flashlight & Florescent Tube Cover, Flashpoint Light Stands, Manfrotto Tripod

Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop

The One With Pito's Suicidal Wheel

I first met Pito when he offered to bring a friend's LS powered Mustang out to a shoot. I was wrapping up edits on a build video for The Mutt Stang and Cinemauto and Justin (the owner) was unavailable. He tagged his buddy Pito in to drive the car to anyplace I wanted to shoot. "Wait.. Any place?" I asked.

"Any place." Pito responded. From that moment, I knew he was going to be easy to work with. Living in the middle of the country, with the flattest land you'll ever see, finding the ideal spot isn't always easy.

For the next year Pito messaged me off and on, updating me on his 4Runner build. Showing me headlights, bumpers, wheels, and everything else us lowered car enthusiasts typically overlook when we act like we understand off-roading. I wasn't biting. Not because I didn't love his vehicle. It was actually the complete opposite. I felt it was something that deserved far better than Kansas had to offer. You can't properly capture something like this just sitting in a parking lot downtown. After all, nothing crawls malls better than a Jeep.

Then, a couple months back, it hit me.. Any place? Any place. Suddenly, I remembered this crazy fashion shoot I did for a local magazine years ago. It was out at the most random rock formations you can imagine in flyover country. It's called the Castle Rock Badlands and to say it's breathtaking is an understatement.

Plans were made and the date arrived. We loaded up 4 extra people, because who doesn't love a road trip, and we hit the highway. I was thrilled to be taking a vehicle to a real location. While I've photographed a lot of cars in various areas across the Midwest, this kind of thing was definitely a first. We had plenty of water, extra memory cards and batteries, lighting equipment, a drone.. You name it, we had it.

Leading the pack in my Explorer, my crew included another three photographers with different backgrounds and experience levels. We all chatted about equipment, ideas for the shoot we were headed to, and how terrible my taste in music is. All was well and we were nearing the halfway point. It was then that I cast a quick glance to my rear view mirror, just to make sure that Pito was still hanging with us as we neared our exit. I'll never forget that moment.

I can't be sure how long I stared at the mirror while I continued to barrel down the highway but it felt like an eternity. Once I tore my gaze away and flipped on the hazards, I filled the group in. "So uh.. I think his wheel just fell off." The momentum of 3 extra bodies in the car, all quickly shifting at once to look out the rear window was noticeable. Many things were said between here and the moment we finally pulled over.. but I couldn't tell you what any of them were.

Parking in the median (it's just a big ditch, honestly), I hopped out and started jogging the highway shoulder back towards the 4Runner. I was so focused on his vehicle as I moved towards it, it took one of my passengers yelling at me to soak in what was about to happen. "His wheel is going to hit you!"

Suddenly I realized that his wheel was, in fact, headed right for me. I moved out of the way, thinking I'd let it pass. "It's going to hit your car!" informed the same passenger.

With only seconds to evaluate the situation, I decided I didn't need this off-road throwing star destroying the back of my Explorer. Having recently seen a video on Facebook where a rogue wheel found its way over the median and into the front of another SUV, I opted to not jump in front of the wheel but, instead, to attempt to kick it off balance as it passed me by. (If it's not yet clear, I may be talented behind the lens but I don't hold any awards for being brilliant in other areas of my life.)

I kicked the wheel. An off-road rated wheel and tire assembly, traveling at nearly 60mph toward my car (and potentially oncoming traffic), and I kicked it. My leg goes full fettuccini on me. The wheel wobbles and loses speed.. but not enough. It hits the car with a sound my passengers later tell me sounded like a body being thrown into a parked car. Heck, they thought it was my body.

I hobble my way back over to the Explorer to inspect the damage. It's not terrible and definitely less than it would've been had I let the wheel hit it in full force. Pito meets us halfway between his 4Runner and the Explorer to tell us what happened. The wheel is actually from his trailer and it looks as though the brake had locked up while driving. The good news is that we could ditch the trailer and keep going. The bad news is that the median about half a mile back was now on fire and it was growing.

Hopping back into the Explorer, we flip around in the ditch and prepare to join the ranks of volunteer fire fighters. Much to my relief, driving a relatively new Ford Explorer in the color of white, oncoming traffic opts to slow way down as they see us preparing to re enter traffic. Providing us with the window needed to relocate to the small grass fire, we take it and we make it.

Remember my earlier brag about plenty of water? Praise be! Passing out bottles of water to a couple of my passengers, we run through the grass and begin dumping water on the areas yet to be ablaze. After several bottles disappear quickly, another passenger suggests stomping out the flames. With a shrug, I sacrifice my year old Nikes to a better cause. Minutes later, it's done and we've won.

Once the entire situation is under control, local law enforcement arrives on the scene. After 45 minutes of questions and a few photos, the Saline County Sheriffs officers let us return to the highway to complete our mission. We load up, we ship out, and we finish off the trip with some incredible views, plenty of laughs, and some fantastic content for Tread magazine.

Chevrolet Caprice

There's just something about riding a little higher, a little slower, with the top down, and soaking up the sun. I'm a sucker for exotics and super cars - especially of the European variety - but spending last Saturday night with Jermaine and his 74 Caprice was a totally new experience for me. Sure, it's like comparing apples to oranges.. but I'm getting to that age where slowing things down a bit and sitting back just feels right.

I ran into Jermaine a couple months back at a local car show. At the time, I was scouting for something new to obsess over. His Caprice was a breath of fresh air for my creative soul. It's big, it's bold and it has presence. And, to quote him, "it's the color of money." Fun fact: It's actually a Volkswagen color.. but after seeing it on here, I can't imagine it looking as good on anything else.

While talking about the history of the car, he told me his son is convinced 26's would be a perfect fit for the car. I smiled at the thought, and he just shook his head. It's certainly not out of the question for wheels that size to end up on a car like this. After all, these cars are the foundation of the high riser culture. The Caprice itself is technically one of the few bodies classified as a Donk when it's lifted. But that's not Jermaine's style. His taste is a little more low key and, if I'm being completely honest, I'm more reserved in my modification choices, too.

Over the course of the hour that we spent taking pictures, Jermaine was busy answering questions and sharing stories with various folks who passed by. This car, as you can imagine, has a tendency to grab your attention. It's no surprise that people felt the urge to stop by and see what was going on.

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS, Tiffen CPL, Yongnuo YN-622C’s, Einstein 640, Vagabond Mini, Manfrotto Tripod

Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop

Shift Auto Society

There's something special about the world of private memberships. That feeling of exclusivity, knowing that you have access to something others don't, is intoxicating. Couple that with the allure of high octane motorsports and exotic cars you've only seen in magazines and you've got Shift Auto Society. It's like a country club for automotive enthusiasts.

Though they aren't open just yet, this remarkably hidden (yet incredibly visible) gem is located in downtown Wichita, KS. The deceptively large building, while still undergoing an overhaul, holds more storage space than you can imagine, a showroom, wash bay, in house professional detail team, conference room, lounge, theatre, locker rooms and a high end security system with remote access for its members. In short, members who drive the best expect the best and Shift intends to deliver.

I was recently given the opportunity to take a tour of the facility and see what all the fuss was about. It did not disappoint. The 3 vehicles I captured while I was there are just what sat in their showroom (visible to the public if you're in the neighborhood of Waterman & Market). Back in the storage area was a nice collection of vehicles that, for privacy reasons, I'll leave out.. but if you're seriously interested, their Social membership price is fair and gets you 24/7 access to the clubhouse.

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony FE 24-105 G, Einstein 640, Vagabond Mini, Yongnuo 622C Wireless Triggers, Tiffen CPL, Manfrotto Tripod

Post Processing: Adobe Camera Raw & Adobe Photoshop

These People Are Heroes

Watching the heat rise from a sea of cones laid out in a seemingly random pattern at the local high school, I still remember waiting to catch a glimpse of my dad as he put our family econobox to the test. He'd added some X-11 goodies to our Chevrolet Citation because he thought it would be more fun to drive. Of course, if you're going to add a little extra oomph to your family hatchback, the best place to see how it performs is clearly at your local track.. but we didn't have one of those. The next best thing? Local SCCA chapter events.

Did he win his class? Honestly, that's not what I remember from that day. My best memory was watching the cars move around the track, and the excitement of the people involved. Were the numbers important? Sure they were- but they weren't the only thing that mattered. As far as I can tell, that still holds true at today's SCCA events. It's all about the driving. (And hey.. maybe I'm naive and don't have a clue. It wouldn't be the first time.)

I remember my return to SCCA events, sometime back in 2011. Again, it was to watch my dad race his car. At this time, he was driving my old '98 Cavalier RS. It was a relatively stock 2200 with a 5 speed. Nothing special, really. At the time, I remember feeling a little embarrassed. Most of the other cars at the course that day were Corvettes, Miatas and a few other miscellaneous sports cars. No one was racing the official car of sorority girls everywhere. Well, no one except my dad.

Fast forward to today and I finally understand what I was missing. These people are here to drive. They don't care what you're driving, so long as it's safe and it fits within a class. Some of the most fun I've seen at the local SCCA events are in cars you wouldn't normally expect to see on a track. An automatic Chevrolet Lumina with a 3100? I HAD one of these and would've never thought to have this kind of fun in it. A non-SRT Neon, on 3 wheels as it rounds a cone? Is this real life?

I took way more shots than these. Wanna see ‘em? Check out my Facebook page!

The Commander

The fun thing about networking with shops is that they already have a lot of connections. When we arrived in Salina a couple weeks back to work with Calvin Customs, we were greeted by a beautiful Studebaker Commander restomod. As Doug, the owner, pulled up and positioned his car nicely along the edge of the park, we were enamored with the old bullet-nose coupe. After all, it’s not every day you see one of these classics out and about - and especially not looking like this.

I’ve found that one of the best ways to really find out why certain vehicles resonate with their owners is to let them walk you around the car. What starts as your typical, “I got the car back in...” usually turns into, “did you know...” After chatting with Doug for a few minutes, he began pointing out some of his favorite things about the car. The tail lights are original and were actually in the packaging, inside the old car when it was found and purchased, and they each weigh more than a Coke bottle. The iconic bullet-nose design was modeled after airplanes from World War 2 and the designers at Studebaker were convinced it was “the next big thing.” The custom intake has the Calvin Customs logo printed on it, in reverse, so that spectators can see who did the work when the car is on display at shows.

Overall, even though we were actually there to work with the Tubester, this beautiful restomod nearly stole the show. Two completely different builds, each with their own styles and strengths, coming from the same talented shop. I seriously can’t say enough good things about the team at Calvin Customs.

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sigma MC-11, Canon 85mm f1.8, Canon 135mm f2, Tiffen CPL

Post Processing: Adobe Camera Raw & Adobe Photoshop

The Tubester

One of my favorite things about being part of a photography group is that I'm constantly looking for group outings and activities to keep us busy. Sometimes we meet up for something simple, like a quick shoot on a local friends car. Other times we look for events to shoot, knowing it gives us an opportunity to grow our skills when working in distracting and difficult environments. In this particular situation, I reached out to a fairly local shop to see if they'd give us a couple hours with one of their newly revamped builds. They said yes and the rest is history.

Calvin Customs & Hot Rod Repair is a hidden gem in small town Kansas. If you're in the hot rod or custom scene, you've likely heard of them. If not, you will. This small town team is knocking out the kind of work few would expect from our neck of the woods.. and if they can't do it, they collaborate with those who can. Like Mickey Harris, the man who brought this incredible vision to life.

The Seven Deadly Sins is the kind of artistic creation that's more than meets the eye. Each piece is so frighteningly detailed and impressively drawn that it'll stick with you long after the Tubester is gone. (My personal favorite of the pieces is, without a doubt, gluttony. What's your's?)

Gear: Sony A7RIII, Sony 24-105 G, Tiffen CPL, Manfrotto Tripod

Post Processing: Adobe Camera Raw & Adobe Photoshop