As a landscape photographer, COVID lockdown in Melbourne has been frustrating, although I understand the why and wherefore and appreciate the necessity. Plenty of people have suggested focussing on photos around my local area, but I’m not inspired by it in the way I need to be. I shoot landscape with a focus on minimalism, and that type of landscape just doesn’t really exist in Warrandyte. Or maybe I can’t find it. So to kill time I’ve started photographing cars, both mine and a few others.

I like the exercise, but I’ve also discovered a great painting app that turns these photos into pieces of art. I was skeptical about the process, but the effect the app generates is quite mesmerizing. In some senses, the app distill the images down to something more fundamental, and this sits well with my general tendency to seek simplicity in my photographs. So I’ve offered some samples here for you to enjoy.

As always, if you want a print, let me know. If you want to see the original photos, search the site. If you can figure out the car makes and models, well done! I’m also happy to take photos of your vehicles if you live nearby, and I can even paint them up as well…

A couple of weeks into Australia’s semi-lockdown (if nothing else, we’re really good at doing things half-arsed) and I’ve spent way too much time surfing the internet. Screen time last week (according to Apple): 7 hours 36 minutes a day. That does, of course, include a fair chunk of work via Zoom and Teams, but still…

The upside is that I’ve managed to find a few brilliant videos that are worth watching. I’ve decided to share them with my (very small) audience, just because I can and because writing is fun. Please send it on to others if you think they’ll be interested.

This week I’m presenting my favourite short-short films about cars. But before all you car haters out there switch off, these videos aren’t your run-of-the-mill YouTube schlock prepared by idiots with shaky cams and too much testosterone (or too little common sense); each of these shorts is a product of passion and dedication, filmed with loving care by professional videographers, using well-honed scripts, evocative scoring and even some pretty cool typography. My favourite of these four favourites is more art than video…if you only watch one, watch the last.

So, without further ado, here they are.

Film 1 | The Rally Queen

I’ve never followed rallying, but I’ve always been aware of three iconic rally cars from the golden era of the sport: the Alpine A110 (of which I own the modern reinvention), the Audi Quattro and the car presented in this marvellous biographical journey. Erik Comas, a Formula 1 and Le Mans driver, introduces you to The Rally Queen, his 1974 Lancia Stratos. His passion for this raw, singular vehicle is wonderful to see, and the car itself is unbridled fury.

Film 2 | The Family Car

A sweet tale about a simple man and his love affair with a modest car that is special not because it broke track records or represented the bleeding edge of automotive technology, but because it is woven into the fabric of his memories. Alfa’s 1971 Spider 1300 has become part of Tiziano’s family. His collection of miniatures is wonderfully sweet, and the final frame is perfect. Get to know a car and all those bound to it through love.

Film 3 | The Most Beautiful Car in the World

Beauty is subjective, but I’d contend that no other car can surpass the perfection of Aston Martin’s DBR1. The DBR1 was designed by Ted Cutting in 1955 and built by a small team. Whatever sorcery they invoked, this wonder emerged from Aston Martin Works. It wasn’t just all looks though: it went on to win Le Mans and the 1000 kms of Nürburgring.

Film 4 | Forever

This is the one to watch if cars leave you cold but art is something that excites you. Watch this to hear the words of Paul Laurence Dunbar, an African-American poet from the 19th Century. His poem Forever, heard in Rick Whelan’s rich timbre, is utterly compelling. I’ll let you guess at the car though; it’s a beauty.