Hobby to Worlds No.1 Car Photographer: Larry Chen on Ken Block, Gymkhana BTS & Jail

Check out Tweak: https://www.tweakuk.com/ Link to Larry’s website here - Camerasandcarculture.com Link to Larry's Book here - https://amzn.eu/d/3Hmq2G7 https://www.carrarabooks.com/store/p/shutterspeed Larry Chen is the most recognized car photographer in the world. From sneaking into events with fake press passes to photographing Formula Drift, Ken Block, and owning his dream R34 GT-R, Larry’s story is one of obsession, sacrifice, and legacy. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more exciting content about your favourite shows and celebrities. Hit the bell icon to stay updated on all our latest episodes 👍 Like, Comment, and Share this episode. Join our discussion in the comments section Check out Tweak Marketing (My Own Agency) for all your digital marketing needs!: https://www.tweakuk.com/ 🔗 Follow Us: Instagram: @Roadtosuccessofficialpodcast @benedictfowler Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro: “Welcome to the back of my van…”, first look at the Bayside Blue R34 GT-R. 00:00:27 – Larry on his 20-year dream and the senior-quote he wrote about owning an R34. 00:01:42 – “Life is about time” — building a life, not just buying cars. 00:02:09 – Who is Larry? Defining himself as an automotive / car-culture photographer. 00:02:36 – Growing up introverted; the work of building authentic connections. 00:03:36 – Why he moved from behind the camera to in front of it. 00:04:01 – Early career struggles, team and community that helped him grow. 00:05:18 – The scale of his output and why the craft matters (stat convo). 00:24:49 – On new platforms / social launches and adapting to tech. 00:25:10 – Gaming background (Gran Turismo), PC vs phone discussion. 00:25:36 – Working with partners (Intel / Google / MSI) and gear talk. 00:26:22 – Competitive streak & thinking about thumbnails / standing out. 00:26:46 – Where he places himself in the photography hierarchy (skill / timing). 00:27:14 – Shot selection, thumbnails and the eye for the decisive frame. 00:27:48 – On composing shots when many photographers are at the same corner. 00:39:23 – About the photo book: choosing images and the book’s purpose. 00:39:52 – The difficulty of deciding when to publish a career book. 00:40:12 – Why he waited — Gymkhana / Ken Block as a cultural timestamp. 00:40:43 – Gymkhana ten & timing the book around big moments. 00:41:14 – Deciding the right moment to publish (20+ years). 00:41:42 – Ken Block: first impressions and why he mattered. 00:42:30 – Pikes Peak / Evo Corner photo — story behind the shot. 00:42:58 – Why that Pikes Peak moment was death-defying and special. 00:43:23 – How working with Ken & Hoonigan put his images on the map. 00:43:42 – The importance of nailing the thumbnail / single frame. 00:44:16 – The panoramic tiling technique for the Pike’s Peak image. 00:44:47 – More on tiling/panoramic approach and B-cam explanation. 00:45:12 – Why thumbnail shots matter for 100M+ view videos. 00:45:35 – Behind-the-scenes: second-angle shooters and teamwork. 00:54:30 – Writing the book: how and where he wrote the chapters. 00:55:06 – Writing on the road — airport lounges, flights, in-transit time. 00:55:37 – Working with Ryan / Car Media to publish the book. 00:56:11 – Book structure: backwards-chronological concept explained. 00:57:01 – Notable inclusions: Sebastien Loeb and other marquee names. 00:57:57 – The tension: extraordinary photos vs. the human cost of the moment. 00:58:40 – A powerful ethical note: a great photo can be someone’s worst moment. 00:59:07 – 24 Hours of Spa photo story & early Instagram likes. 01:29:56 – Spectator culture: suffering to see the action; true fan dedication. 01:30:49 – Why rally/WRC hasn’t exploded in the U.S.; the grassroots nature. 01:31:17 – Reaction to Ken Block’s passing — being in Japan and the shock. 01:32:11 – Ken’s talent — why he left an unmatched mark on car culture. 01:32:33 – Pushing beyond limits: sacrifice, pushing health for the shot. 01:33:08 – Sacrificing sleep and the body for moments that make the work. 01:33:34 – Extreme conditions, sickness, and showing up anyway. 01:34:10 – “Come hell or high water” — making the pictures for Ken. 01:34:34 – Anticipating Ken’s showmanship and improvisation on stage. 01:35:48 – Funny apology to Brian Scotto for photoshopping himself out. 01:37:11 – Links & using the book as a signed keepsake for fans/drivers. 01:37:32 – It took ~21 years to build the book — reflections on sacrifice. 01:37:59 – Signing plans: getting drivers to sign the afterword (Magnus, Seb). 01:38:26 – Closing: a message for introverted kids — you can push to do extraordinary things. 01:38:59 – “You are their hero” — about influencing young photographers. 01:39:23 – On judging photography and what “best” even means. 01:40:43 – The hierarchy of photography & the growing volume of inspiring projects. 01:41:38 – Final wrap: why the scene is thriving and gratitude. 01:42:11 – Host thanks and episode sign-off. Contact: [email protected]