Today I went back to the archives and decided to write about one of my personal favorite photos from my portfolio. I call it “Heavy.” The car featured is a 1949 Mercury with an excellent pedigree and I was lucky to get to shoot it.
Back in about 2008, I came across a dilapidated diner. Typical old diner style, but in complete disrepair. I was fascinated and started thinking about the kind of photos I could capture of it. Sadly, it would be literally years before I could finally get back.
Enter Russ Montelbano of North Jersey Kustoms.?Through a friend of a friend, Russ and I connected on Facebook. And when he posted pictures of a 1949 Mercury he’d just done some work on, I knew it was time to return to the diner. We set up a?shoot with Mr. White’s 1949 Mercury and Amanda (this was the first time Amanda and I worked together).
While I captured several photos I like that day, it was the last shot, an unplanned and unexpected photo, that has become my favorite. Sometimes, the accidental scene you find at the end of the day becomes a jewel. So?always be ready!
Mr. White’s 1949 Mercury
1949 Mercury was chopped in the early 1950s by Frank Maratta of Customs by Maratta?in CT (which may have been part of New England Auto Body). The car is said to have been the first chop top Mercury on the East Coast. Initially painted gold, this 1949 took second place at the 1956 Autorama. It was returned to it’s owner after the show, who painted it maroon. It’s amazing to see this piece of custom car history brought out of the mothballs and it was an honor to get to shoot it!
Shot in April 2012 with Canon Rebel XSi, Sigma 17-70mm lens, F/22, ISO 100.