Okay so I started this project because honestly, that 2019 Mazda3 redesign had me obsessed. Those curvy body lines? Killer. But finding good photos showing all colors and body kits felt like chasing ghosts. Most sites had potato-quality shots or just one boring angle.
Phase 1: Hunting Down Raw Materials
First thing I did was hit up forums and owner groups. Scrolled for hours saving user-uploaded pics from Mazda3Revolution and Reddit. Pro tip: never trust dealership images – they look like they’re taken with flip phones. Real owner photos show dirt, sun glare, everything.
- Dug through Instagram hashtags (#Mazda3Hatch, #SkyactivGang)
- Saved JDM tuning site screenshots before they went 404
- Got actual owners to send garage shots via DMs
Phase 2: The Sorting Nightmare
Ended up with like 500+ images. Chaos. My Mac desktop looked like someone exploded a Mazda brochure. Spent three full days:
- Trashed duplicates until my trash bin was full
- Made folders by color (Soul Red ain’t Machine Gray!)
- Separated stock bodies from body kit versions
Nearly lost my mind when I realized some shots were pre-facelift models. Rookie mistake.
Phase 3: Editing Showpieces
Good photos deserve decent editing. Nothing fancy – just fixing lighting disasters. Some gems were almost ruined by terrible angles or parking lot clutter. Used GIMP (free forever!) for basics:
- Cropped out license plates like it was witness protection
- Fixed midnight blue shots that looked black
- Straightened horizon lines on drive shots
The Polymetal Gray with Bayson R lip kit? Had to stitch two shots together because the first upload only showed half the damn bumper.
Final Gallery Drama
Uploading was supposed to be easy. Spoiler: it wasn’t. Color accuracy on different monitors is a lie. That deep blue looked purple on my tablet. Re-calibrated like five times still wasn’t happy. Ended up adding notes like “THIS RED IS BRIGHTER IN REAL LIFE DUDE” everywhere.
Now it’s done? Mostly. Still adding finds when owners hit me up. Obsession doesn’t switch off – just bought Hot Wheels version to match my screens. Don’t judge.
