A look back at 2010

One of my first blog posts from 2010 was during the snowpocalypse in January when I was stranded in my house. Oddly enough, I’m writing my (probably) last post for 2010 in a similar situation – drink in hand of course.

Above: Steady Freddy Girard at Autodrome Montmagny

2010 was a very exciting year for me and a great year to get this site off the ground. I was traveling on average once every two weeks while somehow still remaining a student (had to make up some pretty creative excuses to get out of class, but it was well worth it). I got to spend a lot of time with some of the greatest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, and got up close and personal with vehicles that most people only get to dream about seeing/driving/shooting.

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My first subject of 2010 was a perfect Aston Martin DBS out in Phoenix.

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Next stop was Club Loose Spring Moves with Matt Waldin and his 350Z for some superfun drifting time. Cool vid by Kenny Cano from that event below… 10 points if you find me.

On Board X Matt Waldin from Kenny Cano on Vimeo.


Then it was time for Drift Camp! Damien got the S15 together for some shakedown runs and Jersey Rob busted out his BBQ skills for the Pennsylvania people.


With a couple drift events out of my system, I went to study abroad in China. Naturally I found a car magazine in Beijing within hours of landing.


After being back from China for a whopping three days it was time for Formula D at Wall Speedway. Looks like drifting will not be coming back to Wall next season. Sad, I love that venue.


Then it was time for Canada road trip #1 – Montreal Grand Prix! I’ve been an F1 fan for 22 years but this was my first time seeing it live. Absolutely incredible.


Fourth of July was spent playing with Godzirra and his evil twin.


And then back to the desert to shoot Ed’s Turbo. Look for a full feature on this car next year, as it’s getting some changes over the winter.

Old and New
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, the 2010 Camaro met it’s father.

In Car Drift
And before I knew it I was back in Canada, sliding around Autodrome Montmagny with Matt Waldin.

This is probably my favorite photo of the year. It’s not really in focus, it’s not sharp, and it’s the only one out of about 100 snaps that I took on my nighttime ride-alongs that came out decent, but it is exactly what I wanted out of the shot. It’s a lot harder than you’d think to hold a camera steady with Matt driving balls-to-the-wall behind Damien. Those two love to tandem close and fast. I find myself using words like “chaos” “carnage” “fire” and “insanity” whenever I do a write up on a weekend with those guys.

That was my last official event of the year, and once September hit I shot a couple personal vehicles for my friends and gave my camera a rest.

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Boxster Spyder

aprilia

Range Rover

That’s it, and that’s all. 2010 was awesome, and things are only going to get better in 2011.

AG

Range in the Rain

I ran into my good friend Joe at the gym yesterday and finally got to see his new (to him) Range Rover Sport. It was so foggy, rainy, and gray outside that we decided it was perfect weather to shoot the Black/Black winter beater. We fueled up on Starbucks and hit the Pennsylvania backroads to find some photo spots.

Range Rover

Range Rover

Nothin’ like shooting with falling raindrops, thanks for the umbrella Ali!

Range Rover

Range Rover
She got a little thirsty

Range Rover

Range Rover

My Nikon held up great in the rain. My white sneakers, on the other hand, did not. Stay tuned for when we get our first big snow, you won’t believe what we’re gonna pull out of the garage for some snaps!

Boxster Spyder: Lady in White

So my good friend Jon has officially gone from a 911 to a Cayman S and now down to a Boxster, but I have to admit this ride is pretty sweet.

Boxster Spyder

Boxster Spyder

The back end looks great from the passenger seat of Joe’s Turbo.

Boxster Spyder

… and while hanging half way out of the car.

Boxster Spyder

The tassel hanging from the rearview mirror is JDM, if you can believe it.

Boxster Spyder

I love the livery down the side door.

Boxster Spyder

This trans is silky smooth, and the car is so light it picks up and kicks the back out on command.

Boxster Spyder

The best part. DOOR PULLS!

Boxster Spyder

Going to do another shot with the top down soon. Until then, later on.

Is this art?

What’s up ShiftedCrew? I’m back after a short hiatus. Summer 2010 was absolutely insane, and as the season is coming to an end I just want to thank our followers for keeping up with the site and maintaining your interest in Shifted and illantic while we have been quiet. We are going through all the e-mails and facebook messages and working hard to deliver some really good things in the near future – but I wanted to post some new photos and do a little blogging (or is it “logging” with a soft ‘b’?) in the meantime.

I was talking to friend of mine who does a lot of branding and web design a while ago about the frustrations of his work. He kept saying “design is not a democracy,” in response to feedback he had been receiving from clients who seemed to prefer fundamentally poor logos and site layouts.

It got me thinking about my own “work,” in photography and graphic design in relation to the basic principal my friend had been preaching… Art is not a democracy. But that raised another question.. is this even art? My friends and facebook fans seem to think so, but I know others would argue the contrary.

The more I thought about it, the more I came to the conclusion that it was only art because I believed it was art. I visualized it, I captured it the way I saw it, and I put my eyes, my mood, and my passion into it. Since then, I started taking a lot more liberties with the way I take my shots and post-process them.

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I’ve never been happier with my work, and I have never cared less if anyone liked it or not. Funny that since I grabbed my camera by the balls and started to shoot the way I wanted, my stuff has been more well-received than ever before.

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Is it art? Decide for yourself… but here are some more pictures to help you make up your mind.

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Big things on the way soon, check back for an update from illantic as well.

911 in the desert…

I rolled out to Arizona this week and met up with my friend Ed to shoot his 997 Turbo. I’ve been dying to shoot a car in the desert at sunset, and since it’s monsoon season the clouds made some awesome background content.

Enjoy!

^Favorite of the day

Subaru Fun

I love a tastefully modded STi or two. Oakes Detailing put their magic touch on a few Subarus this weekend, so I met up with them on Sunday to take a couple shots.

Adam’s center console setup with the stickers is super fresh.

Until next time…