Last week I had the chance to reunite with an old friend — Gurt, the Nissan Figaro. It had been four years since I last sat behind her wheel, and getting back in felt like slipping into a slice of nostalgia. This shoot wasn’t just about photographing a quirky retro car; it was about experimenting with light, battling the elements, and showcasing the Figaro’s unique charm against the backdrop of Weston Shore.
Setting the Scene
Weston Shore gave us the perfect stage: wide open views across the water, a rising moon, and just enough urban grit to keep things interesting. It’s a location that allows both natural and artificial light to play together, which is exactly what I wanted for this shoot. Gurt is a characterful car — pastel tones, rounded edges, and a retro personality that begs for dramatic lighting — so it felt fitting to try something bolder than my usual setups.
The Gear and the Gamble
I came armed with my Nikon Z6 II, an external flash setup, and a couple of RGB light wands powered by portable batteries. My flash work is still hit-and-miss (honestly, it sometimes feels like a gamble whether the shot will land clean), but this shoot was about pushing forward and learning.
The RGB lights added atmosphere, especially when used at low angles to wash colour across the bodywork. Flashes, when dialled in right, helped carve out details like the chrome trim and Gurt’s rounded headlights. It was a balancing act — often too harsh, sometimes too soft — but the results showed me the potential of combining both tools in the same frame.
The Shots That Stood Out
Details matter. Chrome, badges, and those unmistakable Figaro lines
One of my favourite frames from the session was a close-up of Gurt’s wheels. The low RGB glow picked out the textures and lines, while a subtle flash from the side gave the chrome that extra pop. It reminded me that sometimes the best automotive shots aren’t of the whole car, but the details that make it special.
Every angle shows another reason to love this Figaro.
The shot of her from behind, with the moon rising in the distance, felt cinematic. The mix of ambient moonlight with carefully balanced flash gave the scene a natural depth, highlighting Gurt’s curves without overpowering the atmosphere. It was a reminder that sometimes it is not about adding more light, but about shaping what is already there to let the scene breathe.
Front and center — Gurt the Nissan Figaro showing off those retro curves.
Finally, the golden-hued portrait of Gurt brought everything together. An RGB wand angled off to the side bathed her bodywork in warmth, while a carefully placed flash added definition without overpowering. It’s the kind of image I had hoped for at the start — moody but celebratory, a portrait that feels as much about the moment as the car.
Lessons Learned
This shoot taught me more about patience than anything else. Flashes aren’t perfect, especially outdoors where shadows and spill can quickly ruin a frame, but experimenting with positioning and distance gave me a clearer sense of control. Pairing that with RGB lights added layers I’d never have captured otherwise.
On a personal level, being back in Gurt after four years gave the shoot a sense of unity. It wasn’t just about chasing technical precision; it was about reconnecting with a car full of memories and giving her a fresh spotlight through photography.
Closing Thoughts
Every shoot is a chance to refine skills and rediscover why I love doing this. Gurt at Weston Shore was a reminder that even when the lighting doesn’t behave, there’s still magic to be found in persistence, patience, and a little experimentation.
If you enjoyed this look behind the lens, check out more of my projects at StudioDJC — and if you’d like your own shoot captured in this cinematic style, get in touch to book a session.
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