Automotive photography is an underappreciated art that is increasingly under threat from the rising tide of mobile photography and computer-generated imagery. In a series exclusively crafted for Driven, South African photography duo, SAREL VAN STADEN and MARYNA COTTON are bringing back the lost art of automotive photography. This month, the spotlight falls on an exclusive Italian masterpiece, the Pagani Huayra.
South African photographers, Sarel van Staden and Maryna Cotton, developed their “Focussed Diffused Lighting” technique (FDL) to create unique art of cars.
“Great photography is often the result of the ability to see, as well as a solid understanding of the characteristics of light. Light can become the proverbial paintbrush to create works of art” says Sarel.
“The desire we have to create fine art images of cars was, in part, fuelled by the technical challenges associated with automotive photography, but mostly by a love for the shape of cars. We use our understanding of light to reveal the beauty hidden in the shapes, curves and lines.”
The FDL technique optimises the relationship between shadows and highlights, which in turn brings out the subtle details in the shape of the car, while still rendering soft enough light to manage reflections in the paintwork.
This dynamic duo’s ever-expanding collection of car art can be viewed for purchase on www.carfineart.com, or email maryna@carfineart.com.
