Strewn about the countryside of New Mexico are slowly rusting remnants of the great automotive age. I set the goal of capturing as many of these as possible in their natural resting places - in fields and backyards. Junk yards were off-limits. I found that high-speed infrared film brought out texture in rust and old paint, while wide angle lenses conveyed the strength and power of these creations.

The 1950 Mercury in two shots here was part of a vast collection of rusty gems owned by Bob Audett in Edgewood. The Ford station wagon was one of several collected by a specialist in Estancia. Donna's Plymouth is probably reconditioned by now and moved to Phoenix as a lucky survivor. The others may be reduced to smaller parts by vandals and inexorable rusting - too bad.

I can't imagine anyone ever discovering my current car and wishing to preserve it on film. By that time in the future, photos of old gas pumps will be all the rage, I suppose.