LOCATION :: The Olds on Ocean

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Oldsmobile on Miami Beach by Chip Bunnell PhotographySoBe (South Beach) is an area with a seriously split personality. The nights are filled with thumping music, adult beverages and toned people wearing the most trendy threads you could find in any fashion magazine. Sunrise, well, that’s a whole different vibe. The streets are quiet and those same fit people are on the beach for a run or early morning yoga. What a difference just a few hours can make.

Regardless of the time, the one constant is the sighting of seriously flashy cars. At night, Ocean Drive is lined with Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the like.  Here, Porches are as common as Chevys. Even in the early morning you will find pretty much the same assortment. While I have always fancied myself a Ferrari man, the classics are equally appealing…especially one completed restored and detailed to perfection.

Enter the owner of the Avalon Hotel. Few things get attention like a shiny, 4 wheeled classic proudly displayed in front of a swanky boutique hotel. Knowing this, he purchased and parked just a such ride just outside the front door. The hotel was white, trimmed in a very south Florida yellow. The Oldsmobile…a matching white trimmed in a similar pastel yellow. Eye catching? It caught mine, especially on this particular morning.

The sidewalks had just been cleaned which left a wonderful wetness to the street. I used a distant headlight to pull the viewer’s eye further into the frame. The passenger headlight was intentionally cropped off to focus on the flowing lines of the hood and the rich, glossy paint of the side panels as you move down the street. A slight reflection can be seen in the wet pavement below. Majestic palm trees flowing in the background complete the scene. The Olds on Ocean Drive marks the spot!

3 Frame HDR, Processed in LR, PS and Topaz Clarity

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www.ChipBunnell.com

DETAIL :: The Eyes of the Cat

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Chip Bunnell Photography of Event Portraits and Automobiles

Click to Enlarge – See the Details

Jaguar has long been a brand associated with luxury, style and performance. Innovative designs are wrapped in a body of long, flowing lines that allow you to longingly gaze upon them for hours. One of my South Florida favorite past times is visiting the numerous auto shows and auctions that come to town. I immediately and unconsciously find myself gravitating to the rows of open-top roadsters. The sun above and wind in what’s left of my hair complete the driving experience. While I have yet to pull out my checkbook and bring one of these magnificent machines to my garage, it is a joy to dream and admire in person what others only see on the pages of magazines. Of all the Jaguars produced, one of my favorites is the XK140.

Produced from 1954 – 1957, the XK140 was a significant improvement over the previous XK120. More power under the bonnet (hood for those of us on this side of the “pond”) meant its performance was just as good as its looks. A little more room leg room added to the comfort. The 1956 model introduced an optional automatic transmission, a first for Jaguar. One small, but important visual distinction between this and the previously similar model is an emblem on the “boot” (trunk) that said “Winner Le Mans 1951 – 3” to celebrate the historic victories.

While I believe the entire car is a work of art, there are many individual details that truly set it apart. In this image, I used a shallow depth of field to give the left headlight a visual punch and allow the rest of the car to fade into the palm trees lined background. In photography, the eyes are the focus and there is no exception with this stunning cat.

Single Frame, Processed in LR, PS and Topaz Clarity

www.ChipBunnell.com