Analog Art in the Digital Age

I am Robert, Cars and Cosplay, or just “Cars”. I began this venture into photography in 2017 with a cell phone at cars and coffee and one day at a local anime convention. I then received a hand-me-down Nikon D60 on its last legs as my first DSLR. This triggered the full send into photography. The automotive and anime cultures in Arizona are both prolific and exciting; it was not long before I settled into these two niches - and ultimately combined them. It was not long after pairing cosplayers with Lamborghinis, GTRs, and McLarens; I began fostering a reputation in the local community as someone with an eye for something different.

Indeed, I never found myself interested in tailoring to trends and popular content to generate views or likes. I create art for myself. At a certain point, I found myself reaching a plateau where I was not making satisfactory progress. In September 2021, I transitioned to analog photography as my primary medium. Two months later, wielding my Nikon FM2/T, I shot two rolls of film on Mt. Lemmon that became the push to pursue film entirely. I am disappointed that I have not yet outdone that photoshoot, but I know that I will.

I am influenced greatly by cinematography and focus more on emotion and raw aesthetic than I do on clinical sharpness or “technically correct” images. I have recently begun my journey into the video world; currently focusing on 1-5 minute videos that are intended as exercises and presented as cinematic showcases of cosplays and cars.. I do intend to grow to a point to tell greater stories and even produce a short film in the future. I hope that you will appreciate the art that I create and find something that resonates with you on a deep level.

Sincerely,
Cars
(self-portrait; Fujifilm Superia X-Tra 400 35mm)