Even as a child, I was fascinated by classic cars—not for their engine size or speed, but for their style. The cars from the late ’80s and early ’90s, when I was growing up, couldn’t compare to the sleek tail fins of a Chevy Bel-Air.

Both of my grandfathers had an interest in cars and passed that passion on to me. On one hand, my mother’s dad taught me how to fix cars and appreciate them for their mechanics and functionality. But I credit my father’s dad for sparking my interest in cars from an artistic perspective. We’d walk around car shows together, admiring the unique and stylish designs that set each one apart. We would compare the different car manufacturers and the design choices they made.

Once I started taking an interest in photography, I looked to cars as a frequent subject. I remember once approaching a stranger with a classic Corvette parked in our neighborhood. I grabbed my camera and asked if I could take a few photos. I just wanted to capture that moment and marvel at the beauty of that Corvette forever.

Even today, whenever I encounter a classic car with my camera, I can’t resist capturing its beauty.

In early September, I visited a local car show, knowing it would be a great opportunity to write a blog post about my passion for car photography. The oldest car there was a 1925 Model T converted into a dragster; the newest was likely a Tesla Cybertruck on display.

When I’m out photographing cars, I focus on details like wheel wells, steering wheels, and head or tail lights. I also have a soft spot for 1955 and 1957 Chevy Bel-Airs—nothing says “classic car” to me like a Bel-Air.

I brought along my Olympus OMD-1 with a 50-200mm telephoto lens, partly because I felt like my Olympus hadn’t gotten enough love this summer, but also because its fast lens delivers impeccable bokeh and sharp detail. The telephoto lens is perfect for following the “look, don’t touch” rule at car shows, allowing me to capture close-up shots of interior details like gear shifters, speedometers, and emblems without getting too close.

Here are a couple of examples: I love the contrast between the rounded steering wheels and the straight lines of the dashboard. When you add the numbers on the speedometer, it creates a captivating composition.

Another aspect that makes classic cars so unique is their vibrant colors. The shiny reds, blues, and yellows of these cars, combined with the chrome trim and red tail lights, create a visually striking appeal.

I realize I don’t photograph the attendees at car shows often enough. Perhaps because I’m so focused on the details of the cars, I forget that the attendees are a vital part of these events, too.

A few of my favorites were “happy accidents.” One is a custom car with a memorable gull-wing door, while another features Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, contrasting beautifully with a man’s face. Additionally, while photographing a 1962 Chevy Corvette, a young woman in a halter top walked by, her reflection amusingly framing the rearview mirror—a playful nod to the slang term for breasts: “headlights.”

I’m consistently impressed by the OMD-1 and its lenses. I bought it from a mentor upgrading his camera for action shots. I’m thrilled with this camera—it’s one of the best I’ve owned. Every photo is sharp, with rich colors and beautiful bokeh, qualities I don’t always get from my Canon R6 at work. The unique lenses on the Olympus really set it apart.

Overall, my trip to the car show was a success. I came away with around 200 fantastic photos, about 30 of which I’ve added to my Flickr account. It had been years since I last photographed cars, and I had forgotten how much I truly enjoy admiring these beautiful machines. I can’t wait for next summer. I’m excited to visit any local car shows to continue exploring my passion for classic cars.