Automotive photography is dominated by contrast. Bright white exotics bursting out of darkened garages. Famed automotive photographer Marc Urbano wants to know: What details are we missing when we portray cars this way?
This photo essay is the third in Urbano’s MONOCHROME SERIES for APEX.one, which aims to marry subject and background through the use of conforming color palettes in order to elevate the subtle contours of modern car design. The first was the Mercedes AMG S63 at the Pigsah Crater, which saw Urbano place a muscular teutonic sedan whose color was inspired by volcanic glass in the middle of an ancient lava field. The second was the Ferrari Lusso T at Searles Lake.
MONOCHROME SERIES 03 is a perfect essay for the season and a beautiful reminder of what’s out in the world for those of us currently abstaining from traveling too far from home. Set amidst the skinny pines and lush greenery of the Huron-Manistee National Forest, this Audi RS 5 in “Sonoma Green Metallic” simultaneously blends in and stands out. While it’s named for the wine county of Northern California this particular Audi seems right at home in the wilds of northwest Michigan.
The RS 5 pictured here is Audi’s interpretation of the grand tourer, featuring a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 producing a more than adequate 444 horsepower delivered to all four wheels via the company’s legendary quattro system. Bend it into a corner and you’d swear you were in a sports car. Set your navigation for a distant point like a national forest and on long stretches of road you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in the comforting environs of an executive car like the A8.
– Editor’s note.