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Picture
This Car!

A Shea favorite: A classic post-war Buick parked next to a non-working gas pump
at Berkley's Vinsetta Garage.

Photographer Kevin Shea
captures Woodward Dream Cruise
in Royal Oak photo exhibit.

A classic Chevrolet engine: Automotive sculpture.

BILL CARROLL

Special to the Jewish News

C

an't wait for this year's Woodward Dream Cruise on Aug. 21? Auto
enthusiasts can get into the spirit of things a bit early by revving up
their engines and motoring over to a photo exhibit devoted to the
cruise: "Cruising Woodward," with works by photographer Kevin M. Shea.
Opening Friday, Aug. 5, the display of classic car photography runs
through Aug. 31 at the House on Main in Royal Oak.
The exhibit features 25 photos of classic cars, trucks, hot rods and cruis-
ers taken by Shea during the past nine years of cruises. Some of his other
photos also will be displayed, and all of them are available for purchase.
"I hope these photos will make people feel they're right there at the
A view from the driver's seat
cruise," said Shea, who has done his own cruising on Woodward Avenue by
foot ever since the event began in 1995, with his camera gear, mainly a
"I think it's really cool that all those vehicles are in one place in one day."
Nikon F-100 using Kodachrome 200 ASA film, in tow. Cruisers from all over
Shea is most proud of a distinctive shot of a classic post-war Buick parked
the United States descend on the famous roadway each year to show off their
next to a non-working gas pump at Berkley's Vinsetta Garage — one of the old-
classic vehicles.
est working garages in America.
The "Cruising Woodward" exhibit is an extension of a Woodward project
It took two years to get the precise shot he wanted, incorporating mixed light
begun 20 years ago by Shea, who always has had a "thing" for Woodward
at dusk to get the look of a hand-colored photo. "I used a tripod and a long
Avenue.
time exposure — and stood on the street at all hours of the day and night for
"The road keeps changing, and I want to capture its historic charm before it
that one shot," he said.
changes completely," he explained. "When I walk up and down the street, peo-
Other photo close-ups in the exhibit include a unique 1950 Singer 4A roadster; a
ple stop me and tell me stories. They are incredibly nice, and the whole experi-
ence is great fun.
PICTURE THIS CAR! on page 49
"The Dream Cruise is like a Woodstock music festival for groupies," he said.

7/30
2004

47

