Eight crazy days at the Toronto International Auto Show.
Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos
For the final three days the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto will have to get along with out me.
I've put my time in, for the past eight days I've been The Star's Auto Show shooter.
I have been living the life of Bill Murray in Ground Hog Day,
Every day has started off the same way,
ALARM. Snooze. ALARM. Snooze. ALARM. Wake. Shower. Eat. Kiss kids. Drive. Park. Gear Up. Enter. Walk Past the Bugatti, Bentley, Bentley, Bentley, Fisker. Toronto Star mobile newsroom. Sit. Read Wheels daily show tabloid. Wonder how I'm going to fill the photo holes again.
The Wheels section of the Star decided to put out a daily tabloid section during of the Toronto International Auto Show, kind of a a show newspaper! That meant that I, along with a pair of reporters, had to fill 24 pages each day.
How do I take pictures of the same event differently each day was my dilemma.
Every single technique was used over the week as was every lens in my bag including a tilt-shift.
Trying to make different and engaging pictures was hard but was nowhere near the challenge that negotiating the holiday weekend crowds.
Things that I hope to do without over the next couple days, new car smell, slamming door and trucks and PC Decadent Cookies!
I had to walk by this car every day. (disclaimer, not my legs pictured above) The 2.1 Bugatti Veyron, 2.1 refers to its price not its engine, the car sells for 2.1 million dollars. It is on display in the Auto Exotica exhibit in the North Building at the Toronto International Auto Show.
The brake lights of the concept BMW Vision concept car can be seen through the cover before it was unveiled on media day. Media day is a little easier for a photographer, everything is new and there is an event at each car company's booth.
CEO and president of Ford Motor Company of Canada Dianne Craig unveils the new 2013 Fusion.
Dressed like chauffers, a group waits to unveil the new MINI Cooper Goodwin, a thousand worldwide will be made with only 21 will available in Canada.
I had to walk by the Bugatti so many times over my eight days, I did try to photograph it differently over my time at the show.
A spot light + the right angle + shooting at f/32 = Star Burst!
The Bugatti Veyron all alone in the morning.
The Acura NSX Concept Car.
The Triumph 1800 Touring car is a classic as the 2012 Auto Show celebrates the history of the Triumph Motor Car Company with a comprehensive display of rare and popular models.
The 1935 Triumph Gloria Southern Cross.
The hood ornament of the 1956 Continental Mark II Convertable which would set you back $18,000 in '58 (about the price of five suburban homes at the time) at Cruise Nationals in the North Building.
The radiator cap is a custom job by Oddball Customs. David Stevens has his 1930 Plymouth at his Sgt. Splatters booth in the South Building .
The Chevrolet Stingray Concept car.
The Chevrolet Volt in the Eco-Drive exhibit in the South Building.
The Ferrari and Maserati display in the Auto Exotica exhibit in the North Building.
Popular with show goers was the Volkswagen Bulli Concept in the North Building.
Something for the kids! Audi's Auto Union Type C is a pedal powered roadster for youngsters. The price tag is eye popping. Close to 12,000 dollars!
Once you have shot all the vehicles loose, tight, and tighter there is nothing left but microscopic! Through a mircoscope at the Ford display, a 40x larger look at the Control Module of a Ford Eco Boost engine control module.
The 2012 Transformer Camaro 2SS Coupe in the South Building.
Show goers gather around and line up to sit in a $134,000 Audi R8.
Once you have shot all the cars it became important to show some people and other aspects of the car show including Zebras from O, a water-themed stage production by Cirque du Soleil that is currently playing in Las Vegas at the Bellagio. They performed on the Infiniti JX in the North Building. They will be performing this weekend as well.
The Infiniti JX trunk comfortably fits two bendy zebras with enough room for a third. Zebras from O, a water-themed stage production by Cirque du Soleil that is currently playing in Las Vegas at the Bellagio perform on over the weekend at the Infiniti Booth.
The 1934 Ford Tudor with a GM 355 Super Charged engine poses at the Cruise Nationals.
David and Alexander Funk scope out their next move at the Toronto Star booth at the Auto Exotica display. Even though I won't be there pick up the Wheels section for my pictures and drop by the Star Booth for an opportunity to win $25,000 towards your dream car.
Ferrari fans takes pictures in the Auto Exotica display.
Shameen Miller and Hulian Ho take pictures of the Rolls Royce Ghost .
Just what you want to do in a $134,000 Audi R8 that you don't own, eat a chocolate chip cookie!
At Infiniti, even the paint colour display is interactive.
Crowds at the first Saturday were near record!
Car shoppers check out the FIAT display in the North Building.
Anthony Grech found something that he likes better than red Mini Coopers, the plasma tubes in the Eco-drive display in the South Building.
At the Toronto Star booth a man takes a picture of the Audi while in front of the Tesla in the Auto Exotica display.
This is not the parking lot near the auto show, the lots may have been this packed, but $18 would not cover the price of parking. This is one of the booths on the 600 level marketplace!
A man checks out what is under the 2012 Transformer Camaro 2SS Coupe.
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler JK8 Northern Edition is throughly checked out in the North Building.
Some people don't care for electric cars, some love them. The Electric Toyota Prius in the South Building.
A little fun with the Hipstamatic iPhone app. Some of the on car logos from the show!
I'm Audi here!
This photo display once again confirms that cars are truly an art medium and that some photographers are artists.
Posted by: john bell | 02/26/2012 at 08:51 AM
Awesome photos as usual Steve....glad I got to run into you as well :-)
Posted by: Rob Gravel | 02/26/2012 at 04:52 PM
One of the best lists I've seen in a while! Good for you Toronto, I love to see Canadian centres getting larger shows like this. In Regina the closest we have is a once a year auto show that pales in comparison. Hopefully next year I can go to cover the 2014 International show.
Cheers.
Jullian
Posted by: Jullian Regina | 11/01/2013 at 11:20 AM