Normally when I photograph a feature car, I attempt to completely clear the foreground and background of anything that could be a considered a distraction. The subject of the photo is the vehicle, and that’s what I want you to concentrate on. In my opinion, the background is there only to enhance the car’s appearance by providing an uncluttered canvas and/or to evoke some sort of emotion or memory in those who view the photo.

When photographing this exquisite special-order Nugget Gold, 400-hp, 1970 Toronado GT, which is owned by Mike and Marjie Markowski and was featured in the June 2017 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine, our best option for a background happened to be a golf course. I know there’s nothing extraordinary in that choice, as tons of feature cars have been photographed for tons of magazines on or near golf courses over the years.

In this instance, however, there were a few advantages. Not only did this golf course provide a curvy access road and hilly landscape that would add drama to the foreground and background, this particular model of Oldsmobile was practically conceived for the country club set.

My guess is that classic autos and golf share a large portion of their respective fanbases.