Automotive Photography with Larry Chen

Summary

Larry Chen, a self-proclaimed 'speed hunter' and car enthusiast, shares his journey from autocross racing to becoming a passionate photographer within the car culture. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of capturing the essence of various car communities. Chen's philosophy is to appreciate every form of car culture, from lowriders to high-performance vehicles, and to document these with a community-driven spirit. He also highlights his work with Speedhunters, a collective of photographers and journalists, and his personal goal to create a lasting legacy through his photographs.

Takeaways

• 📸 Larry Chen is a photographer and self-proclaimed 'speed hunter' who is passionate about capturing automotive culture.
• 🏁 He got into cars and photography through his love for driving and racing, which eventually led him to realize his talent for photography over driving.
• 🔧 Larry values the dedication and passion in all forms of car culture, believing that if someone is committed to their craft, it deserves respect and attention.
• 🤝 He has collaborated with notable figures in the car industry, such as Magnus Walker, and appreciates the opportunity to work with talented individuals like photographer Matt Bishop.
• 🌟 The 'Outlaw' mentality in car culture, characterized by doing what you love and not caring about others' opinions, resonates with Larry's approach to photography.
• 🌐 'Speedhunters' is a collective of photographers and journalists worldwide, documenting car culture, which is supported by Electronic Arts/Need for Speed as a passion project.
• 📈 Larry's dedication to his craft is evident in his work ethic, aiming to take and edit a large number of photos daily, pushing for continuous improvement.
• 📱 He has proven that high-quality photography can be achieved with just a smartphone, gaining 100,000 followers on Instagram by sharing photos taken with a Samsung Galaxy phone.
• 🚗 Larry's aspirations include driving at Pikes Peak and Bonneville Speed Week, and he dreams of having an airplane hangar full of cars, like Jay Leno.
• ⏳ He is conscious of the limited time we have and wants to make a lasting impact through his photography, ensuring his work outlives him.

Q & A

Who is Larry Chen and what does he do?

Larry Chen is a self-described speed hunter who is passionate about photography, particularly in the automotive industry. He considers himself a photographer who pretends to take pictures but actually creates 'clicking language'.

What is Larry Chen's background with cars?

Larry got into cars as soon as he got his driver's license. He grew up around friends who liked cars, and they would fix up and drive them. He was particularly involved in autocross for eight years.

Why did Larry Chen shift from driving to photography?

Larry realized that he was a better photographer than a driver. He loves both driving and racing, but also has a strong passion for shooting, which allows him to maintain his connection with cars.

What is Larry Chen's philosophy towards different car cultures?

Larry believes that if someone is pouring their heart and soul into their car, regardless of the type of car culture, it deserves respect and attention. He encourages looking at and appreciating every form of car culture.

How did Larry Chen meet Magnus Walker?

Larry met Magnus Walker in 2012 at the SEMA Show. He was impressed by Magnus's passion for cars and later had the opportunity to work with him on various projects around the world.

What is the significance of the number 96 for Larry Chen?

Larry was influenced by Magnus Walker's passion for the Porsche 911, which led Larry to buy a 1996 Porsche 911 GT3.

Who is Todd Hentschel and how does he relate to Larry Chen?

Todd Hentschel is a photographer who is described as super talented and compatible with Larry Chen. They have driven and worked together, creating high-quality images.

What is the Speedhunters collective?

Speedhunters is a collective of car photographers and journalists from around the world who contribute to a single outlet, documenting car culture. It is owned by Electronic Arts/Need for Speed as a passion project.

What is Larry Chen's approach to photography and how does he strive for improvement?

Larry is always striving to improve his photography. He believes in the saying that the best shot is the one you haven't taken yet, and he constantly seeks to capture better images.

How does Larry Chen prove that high-quality photography doesn't require expensive equipment?

Larry used to shoot exclusively with Samsung Galaxy phones, growing his Instagram following from zero to 100,000 followers, demonstrating that good photography is about being in the right place at the right time, not just having the best equipment.

What are Larry Chen's future aspirations in the automotive world?

Larry aspires to drive at Pikes Peak and Bonneville Speed Week, reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour on the salt flats. He also dreams of having an airplane hangar full of cars.