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05/30/2007 02:22:40 PM · #1 |
Heh.. I like to cart my Evolt camera around town with me sometimes. I remember taking a picture of a flowering crab tree from out of my brother's truck window and across the street. Apparently there was a police officer a foot or two out of the view of my camera. After I pulled the camera back into the car, he came running over and started hollering at us. He thought I was stalking him. Seems after he realised I was just a kid, he walked away shaking his head. Scared the piss out of me, though. I thought I was getting a citation of some sort.
Heh.. Paranoia all around, I tell you.
=) |
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05/30/2007 02:18:41 PM · #2 |
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05/30/2007 02:14:46 PM · #3 |
one thing that made this image work was that the camera was not pointed straight ahead. rather, it was pointed 20-30 degrees to the left of center. the images shot on straight stretches were ok/interesting, but the best ones were on curves around to the left. that is why the lines are in focus, which is what made the difference between it being an out-there piece of garbage or a somewhat viewable/interesting image.
as a number of people commented on the 'effect' the image had on them, that was muchly due to there being something that they could anchor their vision on, while everything else appeared to be in motion. |
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05/30/2007 02:06:58 PM · #4 |
| I took pictures in the Atlanta airport using a highly conspicuous Canon 100-400L and DIDN'T get arrested ;) I was sure I was going to have to at least talk to security. An airline employee did come over and take a look but he seemed genuinely interested in checking out my shots. I was photographing planes landing in front of the sunset, so they weren't exactly terrorist shots! :) |
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05/30/2007 01:55:37 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
No, I meant the ratchet straps that are used to secure things in a pickup bed or trailer. Those can really lock a tripod down to a car. The cinch straps are are useful too. |
Ah, I've seen but never used those. For lighter-weight work, bungee cords would probably be handy as well.
All of my driving-around shots are handheld ... like this one from yesterday.
 people who shoot a lot of car photos may be interested in The Windscreen Gallery -- a site devoted to shots taken from cars.
Message edited by author 2007-05-30 14:05:24. |
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05/30/2007 01:23:23 PM · #6 |
I shoot a lot of little local events. I'm always being asked, "What's the camera for?!" To which I answer, "To take photos!" Then they ask, "Why are you taking pictures?" To which I answer, "I'm a photographer." And then they say, "Who do you work for?" To which I say, "Benjamin Franklin."
It also seems like photographers are not only more likely to get asked stupid questions but they're also more likely to speed. (109 in a 65... not a converable sebring... Cadillac DeVille)
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05/30/2007 01:10:00 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
There are specific brackets and equipment for mounting cameras to cars. They're used a lot for movies/TV/commercials etc. Those will be the best. That said, there really is no end to the possibilities using a decent tripod (preferably with legs that will open to varialble angles), ratchet straps, 200mph duct tape, some towels, various rubber pads and some gym weights. The rubber pads and weights are useful in reducing vibrations. The weights can also be used to add stability. |
Yeah, these are all good suggestions. I was going to say cinchable nylon straps, like backpackers use; I think that's what meant by ratchet straps above ...
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No, I meant the ratchet straps that are used to secure things in a pickup bed or trailer. Those can really lock a tripod down to a car. The cinch straps are are useful too. |
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05/30/2007 01:05:38 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
There are specific brackets and equipment for mounting cameras to cars. They're used a lot for movies/TV/commercials etc. Those will be the best. That said, there really is no end to the possibilities using a decent tripod (preferably with legs that will open to varialble angles), ratchet straps, 200mph duct tape, some towels, various rubber pads and some gym weights. The rubber pads and weights are useful in reducing vibrations. The weights can also be used to add stability. |
One thing that few ever think about, is to drop the air pressure in your tires by about 10psi. The tires play a HUGE effect on absorbing irregularities of the road, and the newer the tires, the more they absorb - that's why a car feels sooo good with new rubber. (don't forget to air them back up later)
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05/30/2007 12:59:59 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
There are specific brackets and equipment for mounting cameras to cars. They're used a lot for movies/TV/commercials etc. Those will be the best. That said, there really is no end to the possibilities using a decent tripod (preferably with legs that will open to varialble angles), ratchet straps, 200mph duct tape, some towels, various rubber pads and some gym weights. The rubber pads and weights are useful in reducing vibrations. The weights can also be used to add stability. |
Yeah, these are all good suggestions. I was going to say cinchable nylon straps, like backpackers use; I think that's what meant by ratchet straps above ...
Someone makes a tripod head which clamps onto a partially-opened window, especially useful for things like game-park tours. |
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05/30/2007 12:56:59 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Brad:
Speed limit is 75mph by the way, and at 85mph, more cars will pass you than you pass yourself.
Makes the 60 miles of "tie down the steering wheel and tap a nap with the cruise control on" a little shorter.... |
Uhmmm, but you're going 100 mph... Not that I can say much, in my glory days, 100 mph was slow for me... Now... married.... kid.... slowed down (yeah, moss is starting to grow on me)!
Where did you shoot that? I've been on roads in NE that looked very similar to that and can relate. The only excitement you get is playing "leapfrog" with the same couple of cars for hundreds of miles.
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05/30/2007 12:36:08 PM · #11 |
There are specific brackets and equipment for mounting cameras to cars. They're used a lot for movies/TV/commercials etc. Those will be the best. That said, there really is no end to the possibilities using a decent tripod (preferably with legs that will open to varialble angles), ratchet straps, 200mph duct tape, some towels, various rubber pads and some gym weights. The rubber pads and weights are useful in reducing vibrations. The weights can also be used to add stability.
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05/30/2007 12:16:13 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by DowseDesigns:
Geesh, you guys need to sloooooowww down
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Only problem I had, was when I was using my Tamron 28-75mm, and I held the camera over the windshield frame to take a shot, the oncoming air took one tulip lens hood into apogee behind me.
:(
Speed limit is 75mph by the way, and at 85mph, more cars will pass you than you pass yourself.
Makes the 60 miles of "tie down the steering wheel and tap a nap with the cruise control on" a little shorter....
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05/30/2007 11:28:13 AM · #13 |
I have a floor mount pod for my van that I used when I still shot wedding video mostly for following the wedding party around. I have used it for pictures a few times.
I have also used a manfrotto tripod, I extend one leg and raise it to 90 degrees press it firm into the back seat with the other two legs on the floor then take a seat belt from back seat and strap it around the base of the tripod. It holds the tripod pretty steady, infact it is just as sturdy as the floor mount. however I wouldnt put one of my video cameras on it like that because it would be top heavy.
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05/30/2007 11:20:13 AM · #14 |
I doubt I would ever have that problem in this town. Alot of the local cops are hobby photographers I just talked to one the other day he was shooting with a D-80 and a 80-200 2.8 I talked to another one awhile back that was a bit bent because his wife is the one who doesn't understand and won't let him invest in some new glass. I gave him the same advice I give everyone else. a few nights on the sofa is worth having a new lens just buy it. if he took my advice he will either thank me or arrest me the next time we cross paths.
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05/30/2007 11:06:26 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
Any tips Skip on mounting tripods and cameras in vehicles? |
i just had my bogen jammed in and held on tightly, bracing it against the windshield frame. i wasn't going too fast, and i knew the roads, so i wasn't 'too' concerned.
however, i wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart...
also, if you search the challenge archives, there was a killer shot of a car in motion with a side-mounted camera, and the shooter wrote up a nice piece about how he did it. it was a few years ago, and i might have even faved the image. |
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05/30/2007 09:01:17 AM · #16 |
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05/30/2007 08:50:46 AM · #17 |
Geesh, you guys need to sloooooowww down
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05/30/2007 08:36:10 AM · #18 |
This one brought the cops down on me for (I presume) suspected terrorist activity. This is the one RR bridge onto Cape Cod. They took my Address from my drivers license and the url for DPC, and that was the last I heard from them :-) I like to imagine the cops checking out our nude gallery...
R.
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05/30/2007 08:33:38 AM · #19 |
| Great stories, guys. Last week I was questioned by the foreman of a building crew for taking pictures of the renovation. I wish I had kept it as simple as "Because I'm a photographer." |
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05/30/2007 08:25:18 AM · #20 |
Because Im a Terrorist......wait WTF
We were stunting in my 66 austin healey... dont ask.
I had a video camera mounted to the passenger seat frame. Well on the way home i drove across the bay bridge and got pulled over. Cars top down of course the officer approaches from the left and says you know you have a tail light out.....
He reviewed the bridge portion of the tape and let me go on my merry way. Guess its a good thing he didnt see the whole thing.
Then again theres always the dodge.... 
Any tips Skip on mounting tripods and cameras in vehicles?
Message edited by author 2007-05-30 08:26:02. |
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05/30/2007 01:23:35 AM · #21 |
I was taking a photo of these 3 road signs at 3 in the morning. As I was taking the photo, a police car stopped and turned around to talk to me. They also asked what I was doing and I said taking a photo. They just stared at me for a few minutes then drove away. I think the trail from their car lights really added to the photo though. |
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05/30/2007 01:11:23 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by KaDi:
Originally posted by Skip:
Originally posted by KaDi:
The officer is probably still trying to find out how a "photographer" can afford something as extravegant as a Sebring! ;) |
hahah--it is 10 years old and has over 100,000 miles on it, and it looks it! however, it has decent image stabilization, as scalvert will attest ;-) |
IS on a Sebring?!  Has Canon heard? |
Canon should take notes. If it were them they'd be trying to install the IS on the driver's rear end and not the car. :P
Message edited by author 2007-05-30 01:12:03.
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05/30/2007 12:53:11 AM · #23 |
Ha! From a Sebring Convertible! I knew there was a reason I liked you Skip.
Also from a Sebring Convertible:
  
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05/30/2007 12:49:28 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by Skip:
... as soon as i get a chance, i'll make a video of the 250 odd frames i shot just riding around ;-) |
Now that would be cool!
Isn't it time for another DPC multi-media event...something along the lines of the Night Before Christmas reading? I think we need some humming to go with your road shots...or something like that... |
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05/30/2007 12:44:54 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by KaDi:
Originally posted by Skip:
Originally posted by KaDi:
The officer is probably still trying to find out how a "photographer" can afford something as extravegant as a Sebring! ;) |
hahah--it is 10 years old and has over 100,000 miles on it, and it looks it! however, it has decent image stabilization, as scalvert will attest ;-) |
IS on a Sebring?! Has Canon heard? |
all things considered, it is a smooth ride. as soon as i get a chance, i'll make a video of the 250 odd frames i shot just riding around ;-) |
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Has Canon heard? 
