'50 Chevy Pickup (4 images 400kb+)

[Curtis N]

My Dad & Uncle restored this 1950 Chevy Pickup. I don't know much of the technical details but if you ask I can get answers. They spent around 3 years on this project. Whenever we would ask when it would be done, they would say "It'll be ready for the 4th of July Parade." They never said WHICH 4th of July!

This is my first serious attempt at vehicle shots. All were taken with my 300D, tripod & cable release. Minimal post-processing besides the exposure adjustments indicated and a minor crop with the first one, Noise Ninja on the last one because of the 1600 ISO.

50mm 1.4 lens, 1/80 sec. f/11, ISO 100, adjusted -1/2 stop with DPP.
http://boonecounty.info/Curtsgallery/50CHEVY.JPG

18-55 kit lens @ 25mm, 1/15 sec. f/11, ISO 400, adjusted -1/3 stop.
http://boonecounty.info/Curtsgallery/50ENGINE.JPG

50mm 1.4 lens, 1/30 sec. f/8, ISO 400, adjusted -2/3 stop.
http://boonecounty.info/Curtsgallery/50PANEL.JPG

This one was taken with a rubber hood against the rear window. The hood got into the lower right corner a bit but there wasn't much to see there, anyway. I was a little paranoid about DOF so I cranked up the ISO instead of opening the aperture more. Forgot my DOF charts at home.:mad:
18-55 kit lens @ 18mm, 1/30 sec. f/11, ISO 1600.
http://boonecounty.info/Curtsgallery/50CAB.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

Curtis, I like these a lot, 'specially the corn in the background. If you shot RAW, I'd blend in a darker background in the last 3.

[Carzee]

That is so nice. Great job they did, and great background choice.

Trivia time. As I remember, the opening scenes of a black n white movie (done in early 1970s) featured a backfiring beat up example of one of these. Around a backwater oil field Texas town. Cybil Shepherd's first major role. Answer; "Last Picture Show". Who directed it?

[PhotosGuy]

Peter Bogdanovich

[Curtis N]

Thanks, Frank & Carzee. Since Dad is a retired farmer, I thought he would like the corn backdrop. The fact that it's stunted by the worst drought in 17 years :cry: makes it fit the period better.If you shot RAW, I'd blend in a darker background in the last 3.What do you mean, "IF I shot RAW"? There is no other way! I took lots of shots with minor exposure adjustments. The ones that were a bit overexposed and then cranked down in the RAW converter seemed to have the best color throughout. This "expose to the right" thing really works if you do it right! Becky is planning to make a photomontage of these as Christmas gifts for Dad & Uncle Bill, so those backgrounds will probably be removed completely.

But #1 will definitely get a frame of its own. Any opinions on the crop, or whether I should clone out the tree top above the right fender?

[PhotosGuy]

Any opinions on the crop, or whether I should clone out the tree top above the right fender? I would. It was the first thing that I noticed but I didn't want to "pick a nit"! :D
A touch more space to the front of the truck would be nice, but I like the crop you have there.

[Carzee]

Bogdanovich it is.

The movie has whole 10 minute slabs where the B & W photography (backed by Hank Williams music) is simply OTT stunning.

I will always remember the backfiring stepside driving thru the duststorm.
I just found out its remastered onto DVD directors cut even!

[belmondo]

Beautiful restoration. Excellent photos especially on choice of backgrounds. The shot through the windshield (with the barn) is exceptional.

FWIW, the standardd Chevvie OHV 6 was 235 cubic inches, and would run just about forever. They were very rugged, and could be hopped up a bit. In fact, this was just about the only engine you could get in a Chevrolet until 1955 when they introduced the 265 cid V-8 (later 283/327).

[Ballen Photo]

FWIW, the standardd Chevvie OHV 6 was 235 cubic inches, and would run just about forever. They were very rugged, and could be hopped up a bit. In fact, this was just about the only engine you could get in a Chevrolet until 1955 when they introduced the 265 cid V-8 (later 283/327).Tom, You DO know your old Chevys. ;)
Back on topic, Curtis, That is one FINE looking old Truck! Your Dad and Uncle can be really proud of that Baby. :D
I do like the settings and backgrounds you chose as well. Just talking about all this makes me homesick, My Grand Dad was a farmer in So Cal. I spent my younger years there.
-Bruce

[Carzee]

I'm here actually wanting to drive one of these old pickups. 3 on the tree, manual choke, leaf springs... but I'd ditch the wedding tyres.. strictly for shows only!

[belmondo]

Tom, You DO know your old Chevys. ;)
Back on topic, Curtis, That is one FINE looking old Truck! Your Dad and Uncle can be really proud of that Baby. :D
I do like the settings and backgrounds you chose as well. Just talking about all this makes me homesick, My Grand Dad was a farmer in So Cal. I spent my younger years there.
-Bruce

Don't let the white hair and the limp fool you. I really was a kid once.

One more thing about the 235 cid 6-cyl. That was the basis for the original Corvette engine....the Blue Flame 6. 150 horsepower Takes your breath away, doesn't it?

[JaertX]

Wow! Those pictures scream "MIDWEST!!!"

I like them a lot, particularly the first and last. I love the composition of the last, the only thing that bugs me is the background is a little blown out, but I'd guess it would take a pretty tricky lighting setup to get that to work.

[Carzee]

Curtis - did you have a CPL on the 50mm 1.4?

[Carzee]

[ I bet the full size pic reveals your reflection on that chrome front bumper too.]

[Ballen Photo]

Don't let the white hair and the limp fool you. I really was a kid once.

One more thing about the 235 cid 6-cyl. That was the basis for the original Corvette engine....the Blue Flame 6. 150 horsepower Takes your breath away, doesn't it?1953 & 4 were GOOD years, weren't they Tom? ;) :lol:
-Bruce

[belmondo]

1953 & 4 were GOOD years, weren't they Tom? ;) :lol:
-Bruce

You betcha'.

[Ballen Photo]

You betcha'.
;)

[Carzee]

nah, 58!
Elvis doing Your Teddy Boy and Johnny Manthis Chances Are. Midnight at the dance hall. Bottles of baby champagne. Now thats a conception story. (According to mum).

[belmondo]

Back to the subject at hand:

Curtis...

Are there any photos of the truck before they started this project?

[Curtis N]

Thanks, Belmondo, Bruce, JaertX.

I'm glad you like the last shot I took through the glass. It was sort of an afterthought. I had trouble with the shadows so Dad suggested parking it under a shade tree for that one. If I get the time, I'll try a dual RAW conversion with a slightly darker background. I could also clone out the lens hood line in the lower right.

Carzee - If CPL stands for circular polarizer, no. I thought about it afterwards, but I really like the star-like glare spots on the chrome & paint (is there a technical term for those?). I guess a polarizer wouldn't do much for chrome glare, but it would have made the sky bluer. Again, I could try blending in a darker sky from a less exposed RAW conversion. As for my reflection in the bumper - it appears that I skillfully hid behind a bolt head.:)

Belmondo - I asked about "before" pictures. I'm told uncle Bill has a few, taken during the restoration process. If I can get my hands on them, I'll post a few. The truck was quite a rusty mess. They replaced the sides of the box and maybe some other parts. I'll see if I can get some more info.

Thanks for the nice comments, everyone.

Edit: Becky reminds me that it was her idea to shoot with the corn backdrop. Giving credit where credit is due, for the sake of family harmony.;)