This year’s SEMA show was just that, a SHOW. There is something on display for every auto enthusiast. Like everyone, I have only a certain amount of time to get around and fulfill a basket of wants and like most, I started out with a predetermined list of vendors to see. Shortly thereafter, the list is tossed in the nearest trash bin. Here's where your alter ego takes over, leading you with reckless abandonment to wander aimlessly. SEMA this year had 1700 vendors spread over five buildings and the parking lots surrounding them. It starts to hit me, what will separate one booth from the hundreds of others? What will stop me in my tracks and taking the time to actually see what is being offered... The SPOKESMODEL is born! A vision of beauty that draws me in, like a carnie at the local county fair (just without the small hands and cabbage smell). She offers up a smile and gleefully signs a poster with her graceful image on it. Feeling empowered, I ask, “May I take your photograph?” She gladly answers, "Yes!" and it's on. SPOKESMODELS come in...

A person seeing my photography for the first time usually pauses for a moment, gazing, trying to understand just what it is they are looking at. I start to smile, knowing what is coming next. I say, “No…It’s a photograph”. The reply is almost always, “Really, I thought this had been airbrushed or something.” The beauty of a well-designed automobile, truck, or, motorcycle inspires me to photograph them. I have a true appreciation for all the time and effort needed to bring a vehicle to a prime conditioned state. I see photography as a means of permanently recording that beauty. When I first began searching the internet for a more artistic type of photography, I came across a series of photographs from Trey Ratcliff at the website: www.flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms. Trey produces amazing photographs with HDR, a computer generated enhancement tool. To fully understand all the nuances of HDR, check out the website, www.HDR.com. The HDR technique I use blends several photos together bringing to life the color and texture that is seen, but not recorded by a single photograph. Every reflection, color, and shadow is enhanced to a degree that...