How To Become The World's Best Car Photographer | Carfection 4K

Summary

Larry Chen, a renowned automotive photographer, shares his journey from disliking school to pursuing his passion for car photography. His relentless work ethic and love for the sport led him to become the official photographer for drifting series and collaborate with top names like Ken Block and Jay Leno. Despite the physical demands and sacrifices, Chen's dedication to capturing the perfect moment and sharing his knowledge has made him a respected figure in the automotive photography world.

Takeaways

• 📸 Larry Chen is a highly respected automotive photographer known for his work in the industry.
• 🎉 He has a unique fan following, with crowds reportedly chanting his name at events.
• 🏆 His dedication to his craft is evident, often working tirelessly to capture the perfect shot.
• 🚀 Larry's career took off when he became the official series photographer for a major drifting event in 2012.
• 🌟 He is known for his ability to capture the essence of a moment, which has contributed to his success.
• 🏁 His work ethic is described as relentless, often shooting 20-25 feature cars in a single day.
• 🌍 Larry has covered a variety of high-profile automotive events, including Le Mans and Pikes Peak.
• 🤝 He has collaborated with well-known figures in the automotive world, such as Ken Block and Jay Leno.
• 📹 He has transitioned from a gritty style in Speed Hunters to a more professional approach at Hoonigan.
• 📈 Larry's commitment to education is evident through his numerous workshops and desire to improve car photography.

Q & A

Who is Larry Chen and what is his profession?

Larry Chen is a highly sought-after automotive industry photographer, considered one of the best in the automotive medium.

What was Larry Chen's educational background in photography?

Larry Chen did not study photography in college or school; he disliked school and started focusing on car photography after high school.

How did Larry Chen overcome financial challenges in his early career?

Larry Chen overcame financial challenges by taking on side gigs and eventually got his first big break after about six years of trying.

What significant opportunity did Larry Chen get in 2012?

In 2012, Larry Chen became the official series photographer for an automotive event, which was a significant honor and a big break in his career.

What is Larry Chen's work ethic like according to the script?

Larry Chen is described as one of the hardest-working people, always striving for the best possible photos and often working to the point of exhaustion.

How does Larry Chen handle the physical demands of his job?

Larry Chen pushes through physical demands by sacrificing sleep, proper nutrition, and exercise, often working despite being sick or tired.

What is Larry Chen's relationship with Jay Leno?

Larry Chen has a professional relationship with Jay Leno, photographing his cars and being involved with Leno's detailing product line, Leno's Garage.

How does Larry Chen approach capturing the perfect moment in photography?

Larry Chen identifies and captures moments when the light, car, and people come together perfectly, aiming to one-up himself each year.

What is Larry Chen's attitude towards sharing his knowledge and skills?

Larry Chen is open to sharing his knowledge and skills, conducting workshops and educational content to help others improve their car photography.

How does Larry Chen feel about his legacy in the automotive photography world?

Larry Chen is conscious of his legacy and is dedicated to continually improving his work, aiming to leave a lasting impact on the automotive photography world.

What is Larry Chen's perspective on the sacrifices he has to make for his job?

Larry Chen acknowledges the sacrifices he has to make, such as time with family and personal health, but views his work as a passion and something he will continue to do as long as he is physically able.

Outlines

00:00

📸 The Rise of Larry Chen: Automotive Photography Star

Larry Chen is celebrated as one of the top automotive photographers globally. His journey began with a strong passion for car photography after high school, despite not having formal education in the field. His relentless efforts and financial struggles led to his first significant break as the official photographer for a renowned automotive series in 2012. This role has been a significant honor for him, allowing his work to be the lens through which future generations will view the series. Larry's dedication is evident in his work ethic, often pushing himself to the limit to capture the perfect shot.

05:03

🏁 Larry Chen's Adventures in Motorsports Photography

Larry Chen's career has seen him cover various motorsports events, including the grueling Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. His role as the official photographer for this event for three years has been a highlight, capturing the historic and challenging nature of the race. The narrative also touches on his transition from a gritty style at Speedhunters to a more professional approach at Hoonigan, where he balances the intensity of car culture with a focus on storytelling and photography. His work with Ken Block and the Gymkhana series has been particularly notable, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of high-octane automotive action.

10:05

🎥 The Legacy and Education: Larry Chen's Impact on Car Photography

Larry Chen is not only known for his photography but also for his contributions to educating the next generation of car photographers. He shares his knowledge and passion for car culture through workshops and online content, aiming to improve the quality of automotive photography among enthusiasts. His collaborations with Canon Cameras as an ambassador have been pivotal, allowing him to test and promote new equipment while also gaining the support of a major brand. Larry's dedication to his craft is evident in his willingness to sacrifice personal time and comfort to ensure he captures the perfect moment, whether it's at Jay Leno's garage or a high-stakes race event.

15:06

🚗 The Drive for Excellence: Larry Chen's Unyielding Pursuit of Perfection

Larry Chen's commitment to his work is unwavering, with a constant drive to outdo his previous achievements. Despite the physical and emotional toll of his profession, he remains dedicated to capturing the essence of automotive moments. His annual practice of curating a collection of his best work from hundreds of thousands of photos each year reflects his pursuit of excellence. Larry's passion for his work is clear, as he prefers the dynamic environment of outdoor photography over a sedentary office job. His narrative concludes with a reflection on the importance of following one's passion and the joy of doing what he loves, which is encapsulated in his ongoing journey as a leading automotive photographer.

Keywords

💡Automotive Photography

Automotive photography is a specialized field of photography that focuses on capturing images of cars, often in dynamic or artistic settings. In the video, Larry Chen is described as one of the best in this field, with his work being highly sought after in the automotive industry. His photography is not just documentation but a form of art that captures the essence and excitement of the automotive world, as evidenced by his coverage of events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Pikes Peak.

💡Car Photographer's Photographer

This term refers to someone who is highly respected and admired by their peers in the field of car photography. Larry Chen is referred to as 'the car photographer's photographer,' indicating that he is not only successful in his craft but also a role model and inspiration to other photographers. His dedication, skill, and the emotional connection he establishes with his subjects are what set him apart and earn him this title.

💡Drifting

Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels while maintaining control of the vehicle. It is a popular motorsport and a significant part of the car culture that Larry Chen is deeply involved in. His passion for drifting is evident in his work as the official series photographer, where he captures the thrill and artistry of the sport.

💡Hoonigan

Hoonigan is a lifestyle and automotive brand known for its involvement in motorsports, car culture, and producing engaging content around these themes. In the script, Larry Chen's transition from Speedhunters to Hoonigan signifies a shift in his professional journey, moving from a grittier, more raw style of content to a more professional and polished approach, while still maintaining his passion for cars and car culture.

💡Jay Leno

Jay Leno is a well-known comedian and car enthusiast who hosts 'Jay Leno's Garage,' a show about cars and car culture. In the video, Larry Chen's collaboration with Jay Leno is highlighted, showcasing his ability to work with high-profile figures in the automotive world. His access to Jay Leno's collection and his ability to capture the essence of these vehicles in his photography further solidify his reputation as a top-tier automotive photographer.

💡Canon Cameras

Canon is a leading manufacturer of cameras and imaging equipment, and in the video, it is mentioned that Larry Chen works closely with Canon, using their equipment to capture his iconic photographs. His partnership with Canon not only provides him with the tools to create high-quality images but also positions him as an ambassador for the brand, helping to promote and develop new camera technologies.

💡Educational Workshops

Educational workshops are events or sessions designed to teach specific skills or knowledge. Larry Chen conducts workshops on automotive photography, sharing his expertise and passion with others. This aspect of his work is significant as it demonstrates his commitment to not only his own craft but also to the growth and development of the community, fostering a new generation of automotive photographers.

💡Legacy

Legacy in the context of the video refers to the lasting impact or influence someone has on their field. Larry Chen's legacy is discussed in terms of his influence on the automotive photography community and his dedication to mentoring others. His work and his educational efforts are seen as contributions that will continue to inspire and shape the industry for years to come.

💡Physical Demands

The physical demands of a job refer to the physical effort and stamina required to perform one's duties. In the video, Larry Chen discusses the physical toll of his work, which includes long hours, travel, and the need to be in the right place at the right time to capture the perfect shot. This aspect highlights the often overlooked physical challenges that come with the creative and artistic side of photography.

💡Passion

Passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion or feeling that compels one to act. Throughout the video, Larry Chen's passion for cars and photography is evident. His passion drives him to push boundaries, work tirelessly, and continually strive for excellence in his craft. It is this passion that has helped him achieve success and make a name for himself in the competitive world of automotive photography.

Highlights

Larry Chen is a highly sought-after automotive photographer known for his work in the automotive medium.

Chen's photography has become the standard in automotive photography, with a reputation for hard work and a positive attitude.

Despite not having a formal education in photography, Chen's dedication to car photography post-high school led to his success.

Financial struggles early in his career almost forced Chen to sell all his possessions, but side gigs helped him stay in the industry.

Chen's first big break came after six years of perseverance, becoming the official series photographer for a major automotive event.

His work as an official photographer is considered an honor, as his lens will shape how the series is remembered.

Chen's energy and ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure make him a favorite among clients.

His work ethic is described as relentless, often working to the point of exhaustion to capture the perfect shot.

Chen's photography covers a wide range of events, from Le Mans to Pikes Peak, showcasing his adaptability.

His role as the official photographer for Pikes Peak is particularly challenging due to the race's high altitude and historic significance.

Chen's transition from Speed Hunters to Hoonigan has seen him move from a gritty character to a more professional role.

His work with Hoonigan involves a balance between in-your-face content and a focus on car culture and photography.

Chen's collaboration with Ken Block and Hoonigan has led to numerous projects, including Gymkhana, showcasing his storytelling through stills.

Chen's long-standing relationship with the Drift Alliance and its founder, Ryan Kado, began with a project in China in 2004.

Chen's passion for teaching is evident in his numerous workshops, where he shares his knowledge and tips on car photography.

His educational efforts have led to a partnership with Canon, where he acts as an ambassador and helps launch new cameras.

Chen's work has taken him to Jay Leno's garage, where he has had the opportunity to photograph some of the most iconic cars.

Chen's ability to capture moments is a key aspect of his success, as he understands when and where the best shots will happen.

Despite the physical demands and sacrifices, Chen is committed to his work, aiming to outdo himself each year.

Chen's legacy in automotive photography is solidified by his dedication to improving the craft and inspiring others.

Transcripts

like if a caravan happens

somewhere in the world and larry's not

there to shoot it

did it even happen larry chen is one of

the most

sought after automotive industry

photographer

one of the best photographers working in

the automotive medium

barn it's the only time i've ever seen a

photographer go to an event

and the crowd is chanting the

photographer's name

[Music]

all right chill out he just takes photos

he just he steals souls

i think he's the standard of automotive

photography he's one of the hardest

working people you could ever meet

always smiling too he's never upset

about it larry

is the car photographer's photographer

definitely one of my favorite

photographers ever and he's such a good

dude

larry chen

[Music]

let's make it clear first of all i want

to set up the story for our viewers

you were not born into this you didn't

exactly study

photography at school or college or

anything yeah i never even went to

college

i i don't know i just hated school so

much i just couldn't stand it

i just feel like it was just really a

waste of my time and i

i would just get the best sleep

you know when i was in class like i was

so good at pretending like i was

listening

but i was actually sleeping

unfortunately i would

start snoring sometimes while i was in

class especially in high school and

everyone would just look at me like

i can't believe this guy's just doing

this right after high school is

when i pretty much really pushed hard on

my

photography specifically car photography

larry hit the ground running but in

doing so he quickly realized the

financial implications of traveling the

world on his

own dime you know i got into that

situation where i needed money pretty

bad

there was one point where i just looked

at my bank account and i was thinking

like

i legitimately have to sell everything

that i own

in order to make rent for mighty

consulting to

photographer to the stars leaning on a

number of side gigs offered him the

financial lifeline to stay in the game

long enough to finally get his first big

break

and sure enough it eventually happened

at his spiritual home nonetheless

it took about six years to get to that

point

over the years i just tried and tried

and tried and tried again to prove

myself and to prove that i was worthy

of following the series and i think part

of it is because

i loved the sport itself i loved

drifting i loved the people that were

into it

i loved just being able to be a part of

something greater

come 2012 their

official series photographer was

retiring and they

reached out to me and i couldn't have

said

yes faster the series itself

is awesome and following it as a

photographer is great but

actually being the official photographer

it's such an honor to have that task i

mean because

people are going to look at the series

and going forward years

they're going to see it through my lens

basically doing that and putting my

effort into that i feel like has opened

the doors

for so many things i've got to be honest

i don't remember the first time i met

larry i think it was gatobeel in about

2012 something like that

we set ourselves such a brutal schedule

we'd be shooting

without a word of a lie 20 to 25 feature

cars in a day

larry would naturally be brought in on a

job just because

his energy he would just absolutely nail

it wherever he is whenever he is

and gives everything to the point that

he will fall down dead on his feet but

he'll still get there you know

larry is definitely the definition of

sleep when you're dead

i don't know that i've ever seen anybody

outwork that man

once he's in work mode he's staying in

work mode until he knows

he's got the absolute best possible

photo that

no one else would ever have gotten you

know

what is it like shooting toyota crossing

the finish line at le mans

hopping on a flight and head over to the

top of pikes peak

in the space of maybe 24 hours or so

it's it's like this okay

they have a list of people right and

they go down the list

and if the first person doesn't pick up

their phone the second person's gonna

get the job

you know i just had to make it work

where i would

shoot the finish line i would you know

head to the airport

land and then shoot pikes peak in the

morning i've

i i couldn't have been more exhausted

just see

sleep deprivation and the traveling and

also le mans

is just so hard on your body it is so

tough

i've been covering pikes peak since the

last year of the dirt which

was 2011 and i've been the official

photographer for

three years now i think that's probably

the hardest race that we have to

follow every year there's just something

about that place i don't really know of

any race track

in the world that looks like that it's

uh well above the tree line

there's very little oxygen up there and

it's so

historic and it's just such a great race

to be a part of and to have that

responsibility is is great

we love it and we love pushing hard i

have such a great team that helps me

with it just because it's such a big

mountain and such a big race

one of my favorite places to photograph

in the world without a doubt

what was it like having come from speed

hunters where we were probably like the

more gritty

character there to arriving at hoonigan

where

you're probably the guy going uh maybe

we shouldn't jump that car guys or

you know yeah it's funny because um

i guess i went from the least

professional

to maybe the most professional

you know um i guess you could say that

larry i guess when you put larry next to

a group of guys like us he might seem a

little tame

but i'll tell you what i used to think

larry was this really nice quiet chill

guy

and then i went on a trip to mexico with

him and we're telling stories and stuff

getting to know each other and i'm like

god damn

larry's a savage normal hoonigan content

is amazing i love it so much i love

being a part of it

but it's like really in your face and

it's hilarious and it's loud

and it's like it's everything i love

about cars

but as as much as it is my personality

right now you know we're doing the

hoonigan autofocus thing

and it it's it's the thing that you

watch

when before you go to bed you know it's

the thing that you have on the

background it's not

the thing that you watch when you wake

up our specialty is really to slow down

focus in on the cars focusing on the

story

talk about the photography aspect of it

the culture the texture all of that and

you know with that said we also love

being part of main channel

and just all the other channels that

they have going

on top of that just being able to work

with ken is

such an honor oh yeah by the way larry

is

also the official gym kind of

photographer

i guess i had to prove myself they had

me on for four

i did my best i got as many creative

photos as possible

and i guess it opened up their eyes and

they were able to kind of see what i was

able to do for them

and then since then we've just been

doing projects

upon projects on klimkana other

gymkhanas

pretty much any anytime ken or the

hoonigans have like a big project

i take on the still side and we

get to tell the story through the stills

actually ken is just one of many awesome

names who larry regularly works with

and honestly sometimes it's hard to tell

who's a bigger fan of who

i knew you guys go way back but i didn't

realize you go

way way back yeah man i mean i've been

working with

larry chen since the most vivid first

project was

in china for wds in 2004 myself from the

drift alliance went to beijing china

yeah i mean that event you know i think

started a great relationship between

larry and i

and he's just been extremely supportive

of what we do not only on a friend level

but

like a cheerleader level you know like

he's just been very

uh behind you know wow this is really

cool it's so cool you guys are doing

that like he's always

you know just got a positive vibe to him

you know around me and around what we do

at our tr now

i'm drifting the entire nurburgring this

week let's do this whoa

you know i want the visually rewarding

lifetime

photos you know that that live forever

and so for the past

10 years at least you know he's been our

go-to

uh photographer and i think he's a very

inspiring

to a lot of up and coming photographers

and and in general people that

you know are looking for inspiration to

follow their their passion

i want to talk about legacy loads of

people i've spoken to

have said that you have no problem

passing on the knowledge that you have

and i open up youtube and

the sheer amount of workshops that

you've done recently

prove that that you've got so many

people that look up to you and you

always take the time

to give them as much insight as possible

yeah i think about that all the time

with

the education portion of what i do

teaching people and showing people uh

for car photography and giving them tips

it's just my way

of sharing car culture

before cameras phones and before

photography was so easily accessible

when you went

to a race maybe you would bring a point

and shoot camera and maybe you would end

up with 30 photos right

but now there's such a

big push and there's just like this

a breed of automotive enthusiasts that

just go to events for that reason they

want to capture

photos of these cars it doesn't matter

how many millions of people have taken

photos

of this certain car what what i'm trying

to do

is uh i'm trying to improve people's

photography and i want to at least

give these people the baby steps to get

into that and

and then they can enjoy these cars the

same way i'm enjoying them

up until that point of me actually

doing this educational stuff canon

cameras

did not care about me one bit

whatsoever i didn't exist to them once i

started doing this education

portion of my work that's when their

ears perked up and that's when

they're like hey maybe this guy can

help us maybe he can be some sort of

ambassador i have with me

the unreleased brand new canon 1dx mark

iii cameras we're going to take them out

for five straight days of shooting

yeah it's been such a crazy ride with

canon and they're so

good to work with and they listen to me

and hopefully

we can help them launch way more cameras

[Music]

so you just touched on like how it's a

dumb job it's incredible that it even

exists

i think the same and we're definitely

very lucky to be able to do what we do

what is the cost of that

um the cost is

so much there's just so much that i have

to sacrifice that i've

sacrificed and i still sacrifice to this

day for this job

i sacrifice time with my family without

a doubt my two kids

they don't get to see me enough my wife

just so understanding my my health for

sure

without a doubt not sleeping enough not

eating right

not exercising enough or

if it's a lot of racing exercising maybe

a little too much and

hurting myself there's a funny video of

jay leno making fun of me he's like

all you have to do is this

[Laughter]

it's like that's all you have to do for

work but it's it's it's so crazy it's so

physically demanding

the shooting part is not even that bad

it's everything leading up to that

it's getting to the locations it's uh

making sure you have enough sleep the

night before

even if you're sick you know you still

have to push hard and work i've

obviously you can't do that anymore now

but before i had to do it no matter what

you know come hell or high water i was

there

i was going to ask you a bit but just

because you mentioned jay leno there how

like cool is that that you know you get

to go to his

cave of wonders and shoot i can't even

i to this day i can't really understand

it i don't really

think that it's real still it's so crazy

it started mostly with us hosting

an event at his place actually it was

one of the first times that he opened

his place to the public

i taught a photography class at his

place using his cars

even before that he invited me onto his

nbc show

which was so crazy too after that

everything kind of snowballed and being

with jay

was really game changing it was so

groundbreaking for me

and then since then we've been coming

back month after month

photographing stuff for him and his uh

detailing product line which is leno's

garage

so we're helping a lot with that on the

video and photo side which

allows us to go there once or twice

every month

for as good as anyone may be from a

technical perspective

one of the really intangible talents

when producing visual media

is the ability to identify a moment

larry chen has carved himself a career

as a curator of moments and is showing

no signs of slowing down

i try to just pick out those moments

like i i understand when things happen

and where things potentially could

happen so

i try my best to kind of pick out those

moments and

you know when i say things happen i'm

not talking about racing incidents or

accidents or whatever i'm more talking

about just

when the light is right and when when

the car looks great and

when the people are there it's just

i always try to one-up myself every

single year you know

if i look at all of my years of

collections that i do

every single year i put together a

collection of

like the best of the best of the best

you know and it's very hard for me

because i shoot so much

i shoot sometimes up to 500 000 photos a

year

it's really hard to narrow it down but

every year i do narrow it down

and then i try i try so hard to

top myself year after year because once

i

get to that point where i feel like it's

kind of going downhill

that's when i know i need to push even

harder

i think as a job what i'm doing

i'm going to do it as long as i can

physically do it

i mean there's going to be one point

when i'm physically not able to do this

anymore

and who knows how long that's going to

be

but i'll tell you right now i'm going to

shoot as much as i can

and because it's my passion i mean it

the thing is

it's like what else do you do you know

what else do you want to do

be stick at office just sitting in front

of a computer all the time

that's it's just not appealing to me i'd

rather be outside

[Music]

i'm just yeah i'm just gonna keep

[Music]

shooting

[Music]

you