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.

Outlines

00:00

🏎️ Passion for Cars and Photography

Larry Chen, a self-proclaimed speed hunter, shares his journey into the automotive world, which began with obtaining a driver's license and being surrounded by car enthusiasts. He pursued autocrossing for eight years and eventually discovered his talent for photography over driving. Larry emphasizes the importance of appreciating all forms of car culture, as he believes that passion should be celebrated regardless of the specific niche. He also discusses his philosophy of photography, which is to document and showcase car culture without judgment, and his work with the Speedhunters collective, an outlet owned by Electronic Arts/Need for Speed, dedicated to sharing car culture globally.

05:01

📸 The Art of Car Photography and Collaborations

In this segment, Larry Chen delves into his experiences working with other photographers and car enthusiasts. He recounts meeting Magnus Walker at the SEMA Show and their subsequent collaboration, highlighting Walker's passion for cars and his influence on Chen. Larry also discusses his work with photographer Todd Bishop, emphasizing their compatibility and the efficiency of their collaborations. He touches on the 'outlaw' car culture, which is about personal expression and enjoyment,不受他人意见影响。Chen also shares his commitment to improving his photography skills, viewing himself as his own harshest critic, and his desire to document car culture authentically through his daily work.

10:01

📱 Mobile Photography and Aspirations in the Car World

Larry Chen talks about his foray into mobile photography, proving that high-quality images can be captured with a smartphone. He shares his journey from zero to 100,000 followers on Instagram, using only Samsung Galaxy phones to make a point about the accessibility of good photography. He stresses the importance of being in the right place at the right time to capture compelling images. Larry also expresses his aspirations to participate in prestigious car events like Pikes Peak and Bonneville Speed Week, and his dream of having an airplane hangar full of cars, akin to Jay Leno's collection. He concludes by reflecting on the impermanence of life and the lasting impact of his photographic work.

Keywords

💡Photography

Photography, as a key theme in the video, refers to the art, science, and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation. In the context of the video, the speaker, Larry Chen, identifies as a photographer who is passionate about capturing the essence of car culture. His dedication to photography is evident as he mentions shooting at various events and striving to improve his craft, as illustrated by his commitment to taking 'the best shot' and his daily practice of the art.

💡Car Culture

Car culture encompasses the social and cultural practices surrounding automobiles. It includes aspects such as car shows, racing, customization, and the emotional attachment people have to their vehicles. In the video, Larry Chen discusses his involvement in car culture, highlighting his transition from an autocross participant to a photographer within this community. His respect for various forms of car culture, whether it's about form or function, is evident in his desire to document and showcase the diversity within this scene.

💡Speed Hunter

A 'Speed Hunter' is a term used in the video to describe someone who chases speed, likely in the context of racing or high-performance vehicles. Larry Chen identifies himself as a 'Speed Hunter,' indicating his involvement with fast cars and the adrenaline that comes with them. His role as a photographer in this context is to capture the essence of speed and the culture surrounding it, as seen in his work documenting race teams and car events.

💡Autocross

Autocross is a motorsport where drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course of cones or other markers. It is mentioned in the video as part of Larry Chen's background, indicating his early involvement with cars and racing. His experience with autocross likely informs his understanding of car dynamics and performance, which could enhance his ability to capture the excitement and skill involved in such events through his photography.

💡Passion

Passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion that is felt towards something or someone. In the video, Larry Chen repeatedly emphasizes his passion for cars, driving, and photography. This passion drives his commitment to his craft and his desire to document car culture, as seen in his statement about always looking for a better shot and his dedication to shooting every day.

💡Creativity

Creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; it is a key aspect of art and self-expression. The video highlights Larry Chen's creativity in his approach to photography, where he pushes boundaries and experiments with different perspectives to capture unique images of cars and car culture. His creative vision is evident in his desire to 'make the clicking language,' suggesting a personal and expressive style in his work.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people who share a common interest or purpose. In the context of the video, Larry Chen speaks about the car community and the importance of supporting and showcasing various forms of car culture. He mentions the collective effort to keep the passion for cars alive, indicating the collaborative and shared nature of the car enthusiast community.

💡Photographic Equipment

Photographic equipment encompasses the tools and devices used in photography, such as cameras, lenses, and lighting. The video touches on the idea that high-quality equipment is not a prerequisite for good photography, as Larry Chen challenges the notion by successfully using only a Samsung Galaxy phone to take photos. This demonstrates that creativity and skill can often outweigh the need for expensive gear.

💡Instagram

Instagram is a social media platform focused on sharing photos and videos. In the video, Larry Chen mentions his use of Instagram as a platform to prove that high-quality photography can be achieved with a smartphone, amassing 100,000 followers with images taken solely on a Samsung Galaxy phone. This highlights the role of social media in showcasing talent and building a following based on one's photographic work.

💡Hoonigan

Hoonigan refers to a subculture of car enthusiasts, particularly those involved in street racing or high-performance driving. In the video, Larry Chen visits the Hoonigan Donut Garage, indicating his engagement with this specific segment of car culture. The term 'hoonigan' is used to describe a lifestyle and attitude towards cars that is often characterized by a disregard for conventional norms and a focus on performance and style.

💡Legacy

Legacy refers to something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor. In the video, Larry Chen contemplates his legacy as a photographer, expressing a desire for his work to live on beyond his lifetime. This reflects the importance of creating a lasting impact and contributing meaningfully to the culture he is passionate about, as seen in his commitment to documenting car culture and his aspiration to inspire future generations.

Highlights

Larry Chen, a self-taught photographer, emphasizes the importance of dedication and continuous improvement in his craft.

Chen's passion for cars began with obtaining his driver's license and grew through involvement in autocross and car modification.

He transitioned from racing to photography, leveraging his love for cars to fuel his photographic pursuits.

Chen's philosophy is to appreciate all forms of car culture, regardless of differences in style or approach.

He met Magnus Walker in 2012 at the SEMA Show, and their collaboration has been influential in his career.

Chen admires Walker's passion for Porsche and his ability to captivate audiences with his car shows.

Working with talented photographers like Todd Bishop has been a rewarding experience for Chen.

Speedhunters, a collective of car photographers and journalists, is a platform that Chen contributes to, showcasing car culture globally.

Electronic Arts/Need for Speed owns Speedhunters, viewing it as a passion project to document car culture.

Chen's work ethic involves shooting approximately 750 pictures daily, aiming for continuous improvement.

He believes in the importance of being present and actively seeking out opportunities to capture compelling images.

Chen's early success on Instagram was built on a commitment to shooting with Samsung Galaxy phones, proving the importance of skill over equipment.

His aspiration is to drive at Pikes Peak and Bonneville Speed Week, showcasing his enduring passion for cars.

Chen's ultimate goal is to have a legacy of photographs that outlive him, capturing the essence of car culture.

He emphasizes the importance of making a mark in the world through one's work and the impact of photography as a lasting art form.

Transcripts

[Music]

I don't really consider myself any

better than any other photographer in

the industry or my peers I just put in

you know as many hours as I can and I

try to really push myself to shoot the

best I can pretty much any event that I

go to or our future if I'm following a

race team I really try to push our

photography just I guess our culture in

general I'm Larry Chen I'm a speed

hunter I pretend to take pictures I

don't actually take creatures I just

make the clicking language

[Music]

[Music]

would be you

I got into cars pretty much as soon as I

got a beverage license I just grew up

around a bunch of guys who liked bars

and we kind of got our first cars you

know started fixing them up just started

driving them and I picked up auto

crossing and auto cross for eight years

straight just 240z whatever Nissan

Maxima and this one time for anything I

can get my hands on we pretty much just

started from a love for driving I love

her being behind the wheel love for you

know fixing them up and just tinkering

this vigil so after driving cars I

quickly realized that I'm a much better

photographers and a driver I love

driving and I love racing

but I also love shooting and it pretty

much still allows me that you know have

my love affair I guess his cars I could

take pictures I could drive the cars

that I want to drive so it pretty much

is a dream job for me when it comes to

cars in general like you know there's

there's always going to be haters there

always always going to be different

kinds of groups you know you got their

site on air you get the lowrider guys

you have to you know form over function

function over form all that I always

think that if these guys if anyone is

pouring their heart and soul into what a

life then I should kind of take a look

at it - you know I should love it - just

as much as they do because they really

put their heart and soul into it and

that goes for every single form of car

culture I mean it could even be dogs

whatever you know but if they love it

then I should take a close look at it

too and you know kind of showcase what

it's all about it really is it's a

community effort to keep just the

passion going

and you know even if it's just like a

little niche or whatever I always try to

try to find it and just kind of shock me

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

hey I met Magnus back in 2012 at the

SEMA Show it's funny he actually snuck

in and then just this last year he did

the keynote for the entire SEMA Show

just to open up the whole show in front

of the whole show

I've met him at the show and then

afterwards I went to his shop for the

first time and it really just blew my

mind his passion for horse shows put on

a good show what God is he's headed to a

nine nine seven I guess I kind of got

bit you know by the bug

I bought a 96 first and then eventually

he bought a 96 gt3 but ya know he's

awesome he's he's just a great guy I'm

so lucky to be able to work with someone

like him over the years all over the

world to caught along with where I'd say

my most favorite photographer touch

Bishop where these super talented were

compatible we've driven quite a bit

together driven by cars I've driven his

cars but working with him is just a real

treat because it's super efficient get

stuff done really quickly and the images

are just killer bang this is pretty much

just the outlaw like do what you want

build for yourself just enjoy them and

drive them really hard

he doesn't really care about anyone

elses opinions he just cares about what

he likes and that's what kind of

attracted everyone to him I guess I

could I guess I could say that I kind of

have the similar mentality when it comes

to photography because I really just do

what I want to do I really point my

camera at things I don't want to point

in that you know I really shoot what I

want to shoot speed hunters is a

collective of car photographers slash

journalists all across the world that

just contribute to this one outlet and

we have really known rhyme or reason of

why we do things we just kind of go out

there and then we just document car

culture for the map it's actually owned

by Electronic Arts / Need for Speed and

to them it's just like a passion project

that they wanted to exist they wanted to

create something greater we're trying to

keep that whole thing going like just a

place where you can check out car

culture anytime for free all around the

world

just this one destination

[Applause]

we totaled that night all of our photos

so far we're at 25,000 so we're going to

hit 35,000 this weekend and we'll

probably publish I averaged about 750

pictures a day every single day

I mean I'll probably go to three days

without shooting and then I'll make that

up and I say so I'm always at home

editing in a behold that's just cooking

through pictures one by one candlelit

you know just so Lewis has been working

for me full-time for over three years

now I pretty much can't do anything

without that back yeah

he pretty much does everything for me I

actually don't do anything I pretend

like I shoot I pretend like I go to all

these events but it's actually Lewis I

just come here just to hang out eat free

food you know make some friends like

some noise you fight a lot like I mean

like talking about me all day I really

don't know why I'm story

cyclist yes times are you're firing

everybody happy farming it it's tough

for me because I'm always looking for

that better shot you know I it's kind of

the whole old photographer saying like

the best shot that you've ever taken is

the one that you're you haven't taken it

or the one that you're always looking

out for me you know

so we're here at the hoonigan donut

garage I just wanted to kind of check

out what they're doing

[Music]

[Music]

yeah for sure that the I'm always

shooting and I'm always striving to be

better you know this is there's always a

way to get better it's photography is

such a subjective thing but for me and a

lot of other photographers you know

we're our own worst critic you know I

always feel like if I can't improve if

I'm not getting better than I'm getting

worse and that's that's not good I

really try to shoot every day living in

SoCal it's too easy to do that you know

there's just so many cool builds all

over the place if I'm not editing I'm

out there shooting to prove a point when

I started doing Instagram I stuck to

only shooting with Samsung Galaxy phones

from zero followers to 100,000 followers

I just posted photos that I shot with my

phone just to prove a point that you

don't actually need a good camera to to

shoot well you know you basically have

to just put yourself into that situation

put yourself in front of something cool

in order to take particular

and you can't just sit on your couch

hoping even with the best lenses left

camera and you just can't take good

pictures if you don't go out and

actually do them and who knows you know

I want to drive to Pikes Peak too one

day I want to drive Bonneville Speed

Week and go 200 miles per hour

you know on the salt I want to do all

that stuff is that too much that just to

have an airplane hangar full of cars you

know can I be like Jay Leno the Asian

Jay Leno that would be so awesome you

know I just want to enjoy card just hang

out with my family

hang out with my wife enjoy my

employment here both because Drive event

you know take pictures I am pretty much

over at that hole just grinding trying

to appease other people you know I just

want to shoot the part that I want to

shoot do the best I want to do

it's just we just we really only have so

much time

all this world I have to make my mark

you know and when I'm long gone these

pictures are going to live on

[Music]

you

you