Random photos on the highway
August 6, 2010 6:43 AM   Subscribe

Random photos on the highway
I've been wanting to do a photo essay of drivers that sit too close to the steering wheel for over a decade. When I finally got around to rigging something up, the moments of serendipity were way too fun to limit the project to such a narrow theme. I give you Passenger Window.

I have already ordered a polarizing filter to limit the glare caused by windows. Any other feedback? Thanks for checking it out!
posted by machaus (10 comments total)

That guy with the bolted on wing on the Corvette clearly does not deserve that car.
posted by COD at 7:03 AM on August 6, 2010


I'll admit, you actually made me lol with 'niche market'
posted by Hargrimm at 7:06 AM on August 6, 2010


You've got Google AdSense on the side. That means you're intending to make money. People's pictures, for money ... you may want to look into getting releases for those photos. Not everyone likes having their photo taken by strangers and posted to the Internet.
posted by adipocere at 12:52 PM on August 7, 2010 [1 favorite]


a site with ads on it is not commercial use, it is editorial. using their likeness in ad is commercial use and requires a release. there is no expectation of privacy on the highway.
posted by machaus at 4:33 PM on August 7, 2010


. . . but where else can I pick my nose in peace?
posted by Think_Long at 10:01 PM on August 7, 2010


Hopefully constructive criticism: less 'Random', more selective. Andrew Bush did this with his Vector Portraits over the course of 8 years and only came up with 66 portraits. Not saying you should be so limiting, but maybe just a little more than you are now.
posted by carsonb at 9:17 AM on August 8, 2010 [7 favorites]


The ads are a little tacky. I like this white convertible photo the best — and yes, more selective would be ok with me too. I am in favor of fast cars and slow blogging.
posted by dreamyshade at 1:22 AM on August 9, 2010


Cool rig! That white convertible photo is nice. I think the photos are technically lacking, so here's my hopefully helpful advice:

1) Roll down the window. Even if you put a polarizer on, that's still a thick, dirty piece of non-optical glass.

2) Increase the shutter speed. There is an unappealing blur in most of the pictures. I checked the EXIF on a couple, and they were shot at 1/125 and 1/160. I'd set shutter priority at 1/500 or faster. Or make the blur appealing by matching your speed to your subjects, thus making them sharp against a blurred background. You're also just getting some autoexposure failures, like in this one. If the roads you drive don't wind too much, set a manual exposure.

3) The composition is hit-and-miss. In general, the ones where you're a little farther away are better. Or, go the other way and zoom/crop in on the person. You're more likely to get a good shot if you set your camera to burst mode and take a bunch of shots as you pass someone.
posted by domnit at 10:43 AM on August 9, 2010


carsonb, those are great. I love the captions.
posted by domnit at 11:25 AM on August 9, 2010


I didn't get "heaven and hell" at first, but then I laughed out loud. Nice job.
posted by jragon at 1:16 PM on August 15, 2010


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