OLD CAR CITY – A Poem in Steel

I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty of old cars, so while Cindy went for her girls’ weekend in Palm Springs, I visited Old Car City, Georgia. Never heard of it? Neither had I until I got a tip from a fellow photographer.

55 miles outside of Atlanta, Old Car City is in a small town called White. It is 35 acres (142,000 m2) of outdoor space with more than 4200 cars. They were manufactured between 1918 and 1972. The cars blend in with the trees and other vegetation. Some cars have trees growing out of its windshield. The area is untouched aside from the walking path where nature has created fantastic color schemes on hoods and door panels. You could not replicate this in an artist’s studio.

The best way to experience Old Car is to choose one of its many paths and slowly walk and look for an interesting car. I carried my Nikon D810 Full Frame camera over my shoulder. Tripod in one hand and a Roller camera bag filled with lenses, spare batteries, small lights and remote cable with the other hand. When you find your subject, walk around it and look for the right angle. Often the angle is down on the ground looking up or from the side. Think and imagine before you shoot. Once you see your shot, put up the tripod and mount the camera. I use a tripod to ensure images are sharp.

I could easily spend 20 – 30 minutes on one car. They all have something to offer: different colors nature made over the decades or an interesting hood ornament. Things that today’s cars don’t have anymore.

As amazing as the cars were, the hood ornaments were special. They came in different shapes like the Hernando DeSoto, a 17th -century Spanish conquistador. The ornament glowed in the dark.

You can find all kinds of muscle cars of its era, like the Dodge Charger R/T. You can find car brands, some long gone: Buick Roadmaster; Cadillac, Series 62; Chevrolet (Louis Chevrolet was a Swiss from La Chaux-de-Fonds); Chrysler Imperial; Continental; DeSoto; Dodge; Edsel; Ford; Hudson-Hornet; Lincoln; Oldsmobile; Plymouth; Pontiac; Studebaker and Tucker Torpedo to mention a few.

None of this would exist without Walter Dean Lewis. His parents moved to this rural part of Georgia in 1931. They bought a gas station and some old cars for spare parts. Essentially, he grew up in the junkyard. He was a creative guy and made a junkyard museum out in nature. Why don’t we let him talk and listen what he has to say?

You don’t have to be an engineer to enjoy the beauty of the many classic cars. And as for going to Old Cars, it isn’t only for men. At least 50% of the people I saw were women. All of them with a DSLR and tripod. I saw Tom Bol there. He’s a famous photographer, and he did a workshop with students.

And just to show you how unique and exceptional this place is, let’s listen to Fast Eddie singing the Old Car City USA theme song. He wrote it.

Over the 2 1/2 days, I had some pleasant talks with Walter Dean in his office. He recommended a nice restaurant for dinner that evening, Appalachian Grill. While I ate a delicious dinner, Walter Dean joined me for a beer. We had a very warm conversation. On this trip, I only met friendly people.

Being around all those old cars, you think that a picture of a woman would be a nice contrast to showcase the rusty metal of the cars and nature. Tom Bol had two models for his group. At the end of his workshop, I asked one, Natalia, if she would stay for a few pictures. We took some beautiful photographs all with natural light. I didn’t bring any additional portrait equipment with me.

If you like looking at nature and old cars and love taking photos with objects that are endlessly fascinating, I highly recommend Old Car City.

If you drive down to Georgia, don’t pass without going there. You’ll thank me for the recommendation. Send me a picture while you are there.

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