Photographer Gerd Ludwig captures 'sleeping' cars in Los Angeles

There are more than seven-million registered vehicles in Los Angeles County, California. Ludwig's new photography collection explores where just a few of these cars spend their long evenings

Ludwig documents where these iconic Los Angeles inhabitants reside at night (Gerd Ludwig)

Photographer Gerd Ludwig has been taking night-time photographs of parked cars in Los Angeles for seven years, although he tells me he's been subconsciously photographing "resting cars" all over the world for much longer.

There are more than seven-million registered vehicles in Los Angeles County, California. Ludwig's new photography collection explores where just a few of these cars spend their long evenings.

"I document where these iconic Los Angeles inhabitants reside at night – tucked into driveways, proudly displayed in front of homes, glowing under street lamps, or simply left bare," he says.

The simple idea sprung from a remark made by a visiting writer friend. The pair were stuck in a traffic jam when the writer asked: "I wonder where all these cars go to rest at night?" Ludwig, who describes himself as a night owl, says the project suits his nature. "In what Kafka called his most productive hours, when dream and reality meet, I go out and photograph sleeping cars."

On a few occasions, the police have asked Ludwig what he's up to. "Was I a Peeping Tom or even worse, a paparazzo?" he says. But usually, after being shown the photographs, they relax, some even tipping him off about other interesting cars in the neighbourhood.

Car owners also like to get involved. "Occasionally, proud car owners will ask me if I want them to uncover or move the car for the photograph," he says. "But I generally don't like to disturb the cars in their slumber."

For more information: faheykleingallery.com and gerdludwig.com