Frequently Asked Questions
with author Bill Lowenburg
Q: How long have you been working on Crash Burn Love?
A: Eight years. I took thousands of pictures for the project, and it was really hard to narrow it down to 80 images for the book. I easily have two more books worth of good photos, including a
whole series of abstract images -- close-ups of damaged metal, blurred cars smashing in the arena, portraits, etc. If this book does well, maybe there will be a volume II!
Q: What did you photograph before you got involved with demolition derby?
A: I did a six-year project about bodybuilding. And I've always photographed my family, friends, and students, going back 20 years or more. I'm mainly interested in photographing people, but I take other kinds of pictures too -- panoramic, abstract, experimental.
Q: Why did you want to publish a book about demolition derby?
A: For one thing, it's never been seriously documented before. It's a unique part of our American culture that deserves to be recognized, studied, and preserved for future generations. Can you tell I'm an ex-history teacher? Also, it's a very visually stimulating environment. Between the cars and the competitors and pit crews, there is always something going on to interest me as a photographer.
Another thing is that the whole scene in the pit is just a hell of a lot of fun. The guys and the gals I've met and gotten to know are some of the nicest, friendliest, and funniest people I've ever been around. They're unpretentious. They don't give a damn what you look like or what you're wearing or any of that typical middle class crap. They're also generous as hell and they cuss a lot, two qualities I appreciate in people.
Q: What kind of equipment do you use?
A: I use medium format cameras -- the whole project was photographed using a Mamiya C330 twin-lens reflex and a Mamiya 6 rangefinder, along with a Vivitar flash. I shot with Kodak Tri-X film and later Kodak Portra black and white. The developing and printing are pretty straightforward, no special processes or materials.
Q: Do you ever use digital cameras or make digital prints?
A: When I began the project seven years ago digital image quality was nowhere close to what could be achieved using medium-format cameras and film. To some extent that is still true when it comes to making really big enlargements. One of my goals for this work is to make enlargements of five feet by five feet, or larger. And I'll be able to do that by making good scans of my medium-format negatives. If I had used digital cameras, even the top-of-the-line models (which I can't afford anyway), I would be unable to make the enlargements I plan to display in exhibits.
Q: Will you be having exhibits of this work?
A: Yes, definitely. Once the book is in circulation I'll post an exhibit schedule on the website. I also love to make slide presentations and give talks for schools, libraries, and organizations. Please contact me if you would like to make arrangements.