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The Riviera at Night

Photography Atmosphere/Mood posted on Jan 18, 2010
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Description


No...not the one in France, unfortunately; if I had a chance to visit the French Riviera I doubt very serious that I would ever come back to Chicago. Would you? Since this is a starving artist's gallery, my Riviera is much more down-to-earth, in fact--in its present condition--this one is actually sitting on the earth. The Riviera in question (for those of you no of that strange species of life form known as the motorhead) was a large, powerful, and stylish (at least during its first 10 years anyway) personal luxury coupe manufactured by the Buick Division of General Motors between 1963 and 1999. The dissipated specimen you see a part of here, is a 1972 model. It falls smack in the middle of the flamboyant 1971 - 1973 design cycle unofficially known as the "boat tails." So-called because the center section of the back end resembled the aft of a boat. It featured a semi-fastback roofline that incorporated a hugs sloping back window that narrowed into a raised center-section of the trunk lid and terminated in a point that protruded a good 6 inches beyond the rest of the bodywork. Nearly 40 years after their introduction, these cars remain some of the most controversial and distinctively-styled automobiles ever to come from an American manufacturer. To say that they stand out in a crowd is a massive understatement. Naturally, I spotted this one right away, lurking like the USS Nimitz among a sea of more recent transportation modules in the fenced-off side yard of a service station near my apartment. Frankly, I was surprised that it was still there as I'd originally noticed it when I moved back to Chicago from Florida in 1998. So it sits and it rusts and every time I try to make a picture of it, the snarling Doberman who does night watchdog duty around the place tries to eat me and my camera in one slobbering gulp. Imagine the snarling of a doberman in the background of this shot and me saying things like "Nice doggy," and various curse words as I bob and weave beside the fence. It's a wonder this shot came out at all. Photographed in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago in November of 2009.

Comments (5)


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Chipka

9:12PM | Mon, 18 January 2010

I like this picture and I am glad you finally posted it. Of course I don't know diddly-squat about cars, except that they're those things that get you from one place to another and are really expensive to maintain, especially in Chicago where you have to mortgage your house in order to pay the parking meters. But all of that aside, I love this shot because the back of this car looks like the front of a spaceship...and the sheer measure of technical skill that went into its design is apparent. Cars now look primitive because they aren't as richly detailed or as bold in their declarations of what they are...they look like shoes and electronic typewriters from the late 1980s. I love the colors and the rich textures and the weird haziness of the background. Nice shot...and the next time you're photographing in the presence of a doberman, take a piece of steak and feed the puppy. If it's a male, you've got a friend for life...if it's a female, well...good luck.

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beachzz

10:21PM | Mon, 18 January 2010

I know about Rivieras, have a pretty funny story about one I won't relate here. I also know about fins and tails and what made them so hot back in the day. This is a great shot, the gold tones do give it an otherwordly, space age look. As for the dog, keep that fence between the two of you and take a couple of doggy treats next time, and he/she will be your friend for life. Dogs are notoriously easy that way!

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durleybeachbum

1:16PM | Tue, 19 January 2010

You have made this vehicle look attractive even to me!

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auntietk

10:11PM | Tue, 19 January 2010

You have absolutely distilled this into shape and light, and this is fantastic!

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helanker

3:33AM | Wed, 03 February 2010

A lovely lowlight on this strange car. I am glad the Doberman didnt eat you or your camera :)))


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Photograph Details
F Numberf/3.1
MakeNIKON
ModelCOOLPIX S230
Shutter Speed10/33
ISO Speed800
Focal Length6

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