The Faces Have It

The front of a car is the most relate-able part of a car design. Because of this, many car designers incorporate elements of a face into their designs. By choosing to accentuate the front of the car, I’ve exaggerated the features that we recognize as a ‘face’. I think it makes for a series of great images: the ultra-wide lens has distorted the car beyond what we normally see, yet it is still recognizable.

So next time you are out, look at the cars around you and see what facial features they have included in their designs. Then think how it expresses the intent or character of that car. Did the designer succeed? An aggressive face on a minivan just doesn’t cut it, while a goofy grin on a Mazda 3 says ‘fun’.

If you find yourself drawn to a car in a parking lot, on a bright sunny day, try shooting a different perspective. getting down low or on your knees can remove distracting elements from the background, such as other cars, lamp posts or people. If you know you’ll be shooting shiny cars on a bright day, you might also consider investing in a circular polarizing filter to cut down or eliminate glare and control reflections.