Andrei Duman: Sharing His Love of Luxury and Speed Through Automotive Photography

Andrei Duman shares his journey from a childhood fascination with cars in communist Romania to becoming a photographer often specializing in automotive campaigns. Duman discusses his meticulous approach to capturing the essence of iconic vehicles, from the challenges of lighting a multi-million dollar McLaren P1 GTR to the creative process behind photographing Ken Block’s one-of-a-kind Hoonapigasus. Throughout the conversation, Duman reveals how his passion for cars and his love of photography seamlessly blend to create stunning visual masterpieces.

How did your passion for cars begin?

My love for cars started during my childhood in Romania, back in the days of communism. Growing up, everyone was limited to just one type of car, so I would play a game with my dad, trying to spot any foreign cars. It could take weeks to see one, but when we did, it was like a treasure hunt. This game sparked my fascination with cars. When we eventually moved to the UK, the sheer variety of cars was overwhelming, and my fascination only grew. I collected toy cars back then, and in some ways, I still do. This lifelong passion naturally led me to incorporate cars into my photography.

Can you please explain what your experience working with McLaren was like?

McLaren has always been a brand I've admired, even from my childhood. Their approach to building cars, especially during their Formula One days, was different and innovative. Working with them was a dream come true. We did some shoots with the McLaren P1 GTR and the Senna GTR. The P1 GTR, in particular, was a challenge to photograph. It’s a six-and-a-half million-dollar car with a unique custom paint job, and getting the lighting right for an overhead shot took us about half a day. The car’s complex aerodynamics meant that light would bounce off in unexpected ways, so it required a lot of precision to capture its essence.

You also worked on a unique project with Ken Block's Hoonapigasus. Can you tell us more about that?

Yes, the Hoonapigasus was another incredible project. It’s a one-of-a-kind car, built from the ground up by a company called BBI. My original plan was to photograph the entire car, but also to capture something that hadn’t been done before—photographing the engine as it was being taken apart. The engineering that went into that car was mind-blowing, and I wanted to showcase that. So, I shot the full car, the back of the car without the engine, and then the engine on its own. It was a unique opportunity to highlight the intricacies of automotive engineering.

Your photography style is very cohesive, whether you're shooting cars or other subjects. How do you bring your personal style into automotive photography?

My approach always starts with the basics: composition, lighting, and technique. I focus stack everything to ensure sharpness throughout the image. Once those elements are in place, I think about the background. The background plays a crucial role in complementing the car. For example, when I photographed the Bentley, I wanted a serene and elevated background to match the car's luxury status. In contrast, with something more aggressive like the McLaren P1 GTR, the background needed to add drama. I also love playing with color, so I always look for ways to enhance the car's unique features, like the rims or the spoiler.