Model T Ford

Location: Heritage Village - Largo, Florida

Model T Ford - Photographed by Spencer Pullen

As photographers, we each develop a collection of images I like to call “diamonds”—those rare photographs, drawn from tens or even hundreds of thousands, that truly stand apart. This image represents my first such “diamond,” though at the time I captured it, I had no sense of the lasting impact it would eventually have.

I first learned of this location years earlier through another photographer. I have always been drawn to Americana; some have even described me as having an “old soul.” Historic places, vintage automobiles, and artifacts from another era consistently inspire me. Heritage Village is a remarkable preservation site, where approximately twenty historic Florida structures have been relocated and restored to form a cohesive village. The grounds include a church, schoolhouse, residential homes, a blacksmith shop, train depot, and general store, among others. Each visit yields images I am genuinely proud to claim as my own.

During my first visit, I was particularly drawn to the general store and its attached auto garage, staged to reflect the 1920s. Inside were several Ford Model T automobiles—an exciting discovery that immediately captured my attention. However, the conditions presented several challenges. The garage was dimly lit, with illumination coming only from an open door and a single window. My chosen composition afforded just a few feet of working space, and I had no supplemental lighting equipment.

Working within these constraints, I mounted my camera on a tripod and positioned it low to the ground to emphasize the presence and stature of the Model T. To capture the full vehicle within the limited space, I used a wide-angle 12–24mm lens on my Nikon D300. Addressing the low light required careful consideration; I began with a setting of ISO 100, f/8, and a two-second exposure. While the result was acceptable, it lacked the depth and impact I was seeking.

With only my camera and tripod available, I turned to HDR techniques. Rather than traditional tone mapping, I utilized exposure fusion, blending multiple exposures while preserving natural tonal relationships. This approach allowed me to enhance detail without introducing the exaggerated effects often associated with HDR imagery.

In post-processing, I converted the image to black and white using Silver Efex Pro and refined contrast in Photoshop. Today, my workflow has evolved to include DXO PhotoLab and Affinity Photo, though the intent remains the same: to create a timeless, expressive image.

While teaching at Florida Gulf Coast University and Ringling College of Art and Design, I often share this photograph as an example of what can be achieved under challenging conditions. On one occasion, after presenting the image in class, a student became emotional. She explained that the Model T in the photograph had belonged to her father and had been donated to Heritage Village. Her family had attempted many times to photograph it themselves, but the lighting conditions had proven too difficult for their equipment at the time.

As a gesture, I asked about her family and later printed a 16”×20” photograph for each sibling. Moments like this serve as a powerful reminder that photography extends beyond the image itself—you never know whose story you may intersect with or how your work may resonate.

I have found that the photographs requiring the greatest effort often yield the most meaningful results. Every so often, that effort is rewarded with a “diamond.” Keep photographing—you never know where the journey will lead or whose life you might touch along the way.

Keep your glass clean,

Spencer