Alan Kiecker, QPSA  

1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 by Alan Kiecker, QPSA

October 2024 - 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

About the Image(s)

Discussion:
The topic for my camera club’s October salon is “Vintage”. I chose to submit a photo of my vintage Land Cruiser. I photographed it at a wildlife management area as I felt with the lakes and gravel roads that it would best provide an outdoor type of environment. A paved parking lot just wouldn’t cut it.

My wife and I actually made two trips to the WMA to take photos. The composition I liked best included a red cooler being carried in the cooler/spare tire carrier on the back of the Cruiser. The red color of the cooler drew the eye away from the main subject. I decided to make a second trip this time without the cooler and positioning the Cruiser so that rack would not be visible. Regardless of how well the photo does in the club salon I plan to frame the print and hang it in my garage.

Technical: Nikon Z7ii, Z 24-120mm lens @ 72mm, 1/30 sec @ f/11, ISO 125

This round’s discussion is now closed!
4 comments posted

David Kepley   David Kepley
Alan,
Shooting a piocture of a land Cruiser on a dirt road with dirt on the tires and a lake in the background sure speaks to the topic of a vintage carr in an environmental seting suitable for this type of vehicle. I like that you did not shoot it head on, but with the front corner of the car closest to you to see the width and depth of the car. I wihs that the color of the grasses in the background weren't so close to the color of the vehicle. I also wish the sky had somne clouds in it. Maybe do some sky replacement work on it in ps?   Posted: 10/07/2024 20:12:36
Alan Kiecker   Alan Kiecker
I agree that the sky could use some work. What makes a sky replacement difficult is that not only would I need to deal with the large sky area behind the truck, but also address the sky that we see through the windows and the reflection in the rear window. I decided to live with what I had :-)

I have other photos with the setting sun (behind me) poking through the clouds, but try as I might I just couldn't get the colors right. Interestingly there was reflection of the blue sky on the yellow paint actually showing as green. Try as I might, I just couldn't get the green to disappear into yellow and look natural.

I have other "action" photos taken at an off-road park in northern Minnesota (old mining area) but alas the photos were taken by others. It is a bit hard to take a photo when you are the one doing the driving. :-)   Posted: 10/08/2024 14:23:45
David Kepley   David Kepley
I find that the sky replacement feature in luminar is a whole easier to do than in os. Luminar also anticipates the need for a reflection in water, like 5he lake in this scene. I cannot remember, but I think you coukd include the sky that you can see through the window.   Posted: 10/08/2024 14:36:39
Tom McCreary   Tom McCreary
(Groups 7 & 32 & 57)
I can see why you will be making a print of the great looking classic car. I would not worry about the sky.   Posted: 10/21/2024 18:47:22