Sean Rohde shoots vintage American cars using the Polaroid 190 and 195, professional-grade instant cameras with fast Tominon lenses and manual exposure controls. The photos document rides from the 1950s through 1970s parked in driveways, on rural roads and in front of mid-century homes. Each frame shows the physical borders of the instant film, with a couple prints carrying visible age and handling marks. Some compositions isolate design details like chrome grilles, tail fins, body curves and hood ornaments. Black and white film emphasizes form and proportion, stripping away distractions.
Car design from this era prioritized individuality and presence—sculptural lines, distinct silhouettes, functional beauty. This is how people got around before homogenization. Nostalgia aside, Rohde's work preserves an era when cars had character.
Follow his work on Flickr.
