Do my eyes deceive me?

No, your eyes do not deceive you. Yes, that is a portion of the rear end of a classic 1960s American car. And No, it is not a trick shot or a montage. Difficult though it may be to believe, this is a straight image of a shop window in Bond Street, London taken a few months ago. Do enlarge it for a better view – it’s worth it.

The original RAW image is below for the best proof I have that this image is real. The main work in processing was to amend saturation levels and a curves adjustment to give a little extra punch to the car.

Whether the car was originally real or this was a clever mock-up, I’m not sure – I guess the latter. But it was an obliquely cut rear end (a wedge) protruding through the back of the shop window into the window space with one or two fashion items scattered about – hence the handbag and shoes apparently in mid air. A wing mirror or something else reflective was protruding from the car that reflected a passer by.

Surreal is perhaps the right word to describe the scene. I have written about the art of Window Dressing before (Window Dressing) but this takes the concept to a different level with hints of Magritte perhaps. Many shop windows prove difficult to photograph because the glass reflections are often impossible to deal with and as a result ruin the image.

In this case I think they add another layer of confusion presented to the viewer.