Yokohama Custom Hot Rod Show 2019 Prep Day

The first thing that hit me in the cavernous Pacifico Yokohama hall for the Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show Prep Day wasn’t the smell of fresh paint or gasoline. It was the sight of a meticulously polished purple Mercury hot rod covered with flames painted all over it. I came for the colorful, amazing, incredible, and crazy custom cars and bikes, and I got exactly that.

Setting up the Mooneyes Show: Behind the scenes

The event was on Sunday, but I got access to the Saturday preparation day. It was interesting watching all the cars and bikes being hauled/pushed/carried into the halls. The exhibitors had only one day to get ready. First, they brought in the base of the display, which was often red carpet, but some had wood bases, and some had checkerboards. Then they pushed the cars in, not drove. Once everything was in position, they started adding the finishing touches, like lights and props. We saw old Coca-Cola bottles, surfboards, leather jackets, and even 1950s razors!

In the beginning, the exhibit halls were bare. They didn’t take long to fill up, though. It was a madhouse of activity. You could see the shape of the exhibition taking shape. It was all nonstop, and the staff ate as they worked. Without the public, I didn’t have to wait for photographs. I only needed to dodge all the equipment as it was brought in.

Hot rod photography: A photographer’s perspective

Overcoming low light challenges at Pacifico Yokohama

One issue I had with the event was the lighting. It wasn’t optimal for hot rod photography. To be honest, it was a struggle to shoot the cars. I wish I had taken a light source with me.

Lessons in car show photography: Patience and timing

Looking back, I realize I made some elementary mistakes with my photos. The biggest problem was timing. In many shots, heads, bags, legs, etc., are visible behind cars. They wouldn’t have been if I had waited for them to go. Maybe I could have moved a little left or right. In my excitement, I snapped wildly.

Was the Yokohama Mooneyes show worth it?

By the time I left on Saturday evening, the empty halls had transformed into a world-class gallery of chrome and steel. Despite my struggles with the lighting and my own excitement, witnessing the hard work behind the scenes made me appreciate the main event even more. Sunday was terrific—one of the best car events I have ever attended, but those photos will be in another article. This show is an annual event so if you plan to attend it, look at the official website for more information.

My photography gear for this shoot

Camera body: Fujifilm X-T2
Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR