Observing Objects on the Street: Cars

Remember when cars used to be interesting? I don't either. I'm only 30 years old; the first 23 years of my life were in Tehran, where most cars are actually awful.

Cover: Zanjan, Iran, 2025 - Fujifilm XT-3 + XF 27mm F2.8

Nowadays, though, all cars are boring. Same elements, same sort of lighting, same trends and characteristics with different brands on them. We subconsciously ignore the cars when we walk around the streets; there are so many of them that our brains start to ignore their existence. They blend into each other, with their boring black, gray, and white easy-to-sell colors.

But every once in a while, wandering around, something catches your eye. You pause for a second and find yourself in an internal dialogue, admiring the object of interest: "Ah! They used to make them like this. Look at the curves, look at the character." And there it is, in the corner of an alley, some old car, resting peacefully.

I have also come across a few of them and stolen a few shots like a paparazzi! They were resting peacefully in the corner of my archive. I've taken these between 2019 and 2025, in various locations during different trips or walks in the city.

I wondered if it could make a good second post. Let's take a look at them together.

I've come across this one in Paris. Look at the yellow. It reminded me of my early 20s, always craving a camper-style lifestyle. I know it's not my cup of tea now in my 30s.

You might say, "Where's the character in this one?" I'd argue, look at the windows and tell me which of the modern small city cars let you enjoy the bright daylight with their tiny windows, compared to this old Peugeot 205.

Look at the red color; it speaks with you.

Ok, I admit, there's nothing beautiful about a 206, but you have to admit it's the most constant thing in every city in the world.

And you can see yet another Audi, parked where it should not be.

Look at the color, oh my god.

I came across this beauty in London. It was past golden hour, and I didn't have the best lens for the occasion with me, but I stole a few shots.

I know these are not the best-looking cars, but the colors pop out like mid-century modern furniture.

Hope you enjoyed it.