![Viva Las Vegas 2012>> Night Call](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night41.jpg)
From a photographer’s standpoint, there’s lots to love about Viva Las Vegas. While a good lot of the events I shoot are held in the middle of the day in harsh sunshine (oh the tragedy of living in California!), Viva presents the opportunity to shoot cars in a variety of interesting lighting conditions.
![night3](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night32.jpg)
The last time I visited the show in 2010, I discovered you could enter the showgrounds on the evening before the main event. It was a fine opportunity to capture the cars as the sun was going down with the bright lights of the Vegas Strip shining in the background.
![night25](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night251.jpg)
Throw in the fact that very few people are walking around the parking lot at this time, and you have a recipe for some photography fun. Needless to say, I made sure to do another evening visit this year.
![night5](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night51.jpg)
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the flood lights came on, you’d begin to pick up elements you might not notice in the middle of the day.
![night9](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night91.jpg)
Satin paintjobs in particular take on an entirely different look in lower light.
![night19](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night192.jpg)
Smaller details like these hood louvers also stand out in the soft light, both through the camera lens and through the naked eye.
![night8](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night82.jpg)
Flaked paint jobs as well take on a unique personality in this twilight hour.
![night24](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night241.jpg)
Earlier in the evening there was still a fair amount of activity in the lot, but as the light grew dimmer most poeple had retreated into the hotel for a night of Rockabilly partying.
![night17](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night172.jpg)
Besides the lighting conditions, the quiet atmosphere allows one to really appreciate the cars. It’s probably the thing I look forward to most about Viva Las Vegas.
![night28](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night281.jpg)
It’s actually a little eerie having all these great cars gathered with so few humans in sight. It’s like a ghost car show.
![night7](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night71.jpg)
Lovely finned Mopar beauty. This is another one of the many California-based cars that made the trip over to Vegas.
![night1](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night110.jpg)
This stock looking Merc meanwhile came down from Utah. I even spotted some plates from as far away as Pennsylvania.
![night13](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night131.jpg)
’49-’54 Chevys are one of the quintessential custom platforms, but it’s always nice to see the earlier Bowties done up in similar style.
![night29](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night291.jpg)
Love the exposed rivets here. Very military-esque.
![night15](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night151.jpg)
Speaking of military, this patina reminds of me a vehicle you’d see fighting in the North Africa theater of World War Two.
![night14](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night141.jpg)
Beautiful ’57 Nomad with steel wheels and poverty caps.
![night11](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night111.jpg)
Stunning Merc out of Colorado. This another car that seemed to be getting a lot of attention this year.
![night18](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night181.jpg)
We spotted this traditional Coupe heading up Cajon Pass on Interstate 15 a couple days earlier. Once again, I’d say at least 90% of the cars at Viva are driven there. Trailers are frowned upon in this scene.
![night12](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night121.jpg)
When you think “American”, you think Chevy truck. This one looks tough in olive green with wide whites and steelies.
![night20](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night201.jpg)
Or maybe you prefer this fender-skirted and bagged version?
![night2](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night210.jpg)
Beautiful T-Bird slammed on wire wheels. Also digging the subtle patches of flake on the roof.
![night16](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night162.jpg)
In addition to cars from many different US states, I spotted numerous cars with Canadian license plates – including this Oldsmobile that came all the way from Ontario.
![night21](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night211.jpg)
The “Hogie Shine” was one of the more extreme Hot Rods at Viva this year.
![night22](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night221.jpg)
Check out the trick coilover rear suspension.
![night23](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night231.jpg)
High or low, traditional or extreme – all matter of Hot Rods were scattered across the lot.
![night26](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night261.jpg)
With all the cars that came to Viva from distant lands, you can’t forget about the local Vegas cars. This Merc is one that calls Sin City home.
![night27](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night271.jpg)
I do believe this ’60 Chevy has popped up on this site once or twice before.
![night6](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night61.jpg)
Another one of those great matte colored bodies sitting under the lights.
![night10](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/night101.jpg)
So with that I’ll wrap up my main coverage of the Viva Las Vegas car show.
There’s more on the way though, including some desktops and a few car spotlights. Look for those soon.
-Mike Garrett