driving is fun (it pays well too!)

I like this part of the picture!

This photo was shot on Main Street in Concord, NH. I placed my camera on a tripod and then jammed its legs between the two front seats. I was sitting at a red light, and as it turned green, I clicked the shutter. The exposure was 8 sec. with an f-stop of 2.8. The "film speed" is 100, as I think that speed produces deeper colors and less noise. I also was using Noise Reduction.

I had made several passes of this strip of Main Street because that's where the best crazy-bright, yellow sodium lights are. I was playing with different exposures and waiting to pulled over by one of Concord's finest - or most bored. I saw a few cops, but was not stopped.

I knew this was the picture I was after as soon as I took it.

This photo was in the March (2006) edition of Popular Photography. It is the featured photo in the "You Can Do It" section (pgs. 41-43.

It's the first photo I've ever sold.

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Comments

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(528 comments)

Aldor says:

Great !
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Carrie Taylor says:

Wow! This is a really neat shot. Good work, and let's not forget about that cute little redhead Liam! Is he in the backseat?
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

CaptPiper says:

Great shot! Love the color and movement.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Walsh says:

actually, didn't liam take this photo?
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Girl flyer says:

this can't be real !
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Ed Karjala says:

Awesome! Makes me miss my Jetta.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Mad Man In The Circus says:

Mmm.. Volkswagon?
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

CharlieBrown8989 says:

No Words...

Please share this with

www.flickr.com/groups/flickr-yahoo-coalition

I appreciate that...

Have a great weekend!!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

HenvY says:

amazing shot
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

jcowboy says:

Driving is fun and so is this photo!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

swa5000 says:

I just signed up for flikr, and this is the first photo I see.

I see you enjoy your passat just as much as I enjoy mine!

Fabulous pic!!!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

apey dawn says:

Very Cool~april
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

joey kennedy says:

the motion in this image requires a seatbelt for your computer chair! Well done friend!!!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Serge Arsenie says:

What is this, a Jetta or a GTI?
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Ben McLeod says:

Wow everyone. Thanks!

I've been trying to get this shot for a long time. You know when you see an image in your mind, but can'y capture it "on film?" Well that was the case here. I've been playing with this concept for a while, but have never been happy with the results.

This time I was happy with the results.

This is neither a Jetta, nor a GTI. It's a Passat.

Thanks again everyone!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

idogu says:

this is terrific! just hope you were not driving yourself when taking this picture!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

umm_3yoon [deleted] says:

this is gorgous....im speachless...keep it up ^_^
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

minchelle says:

Oh~ it's so cool!!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

iboy_daniel says:

great shot. worthy enough to be used in a VW print advert.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Lothann says:

I like it.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

bodofotoz says:

TOOO COOOOOL!!! Great shot..Wooof!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Su-Ra-La-Sha says:

Wow Wow Wow Wow
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

debbo says:

So cool! I love the photo and I love driving my VW too :-)
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

ToddZ says:

Props to the Passat! This is exactly how I like to imagine it looks from the backseat when I'm driving mine.

I'd be interested to know how you got this cool exposure with blurred lights, sweeping dials, but sharper details -- 2nd curtain flash?
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Dal Nunes says:

great!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

- Kemaha - says:

wow! that is soooooooo cool!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Olaf says:

Very clever. I'm curious how you got such even tones within and without the car...bright tunnel I guess.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

sun_set714 says:

this picture is cool! :-)
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Jazz93 says:

Great shot!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Jamie ^_^ says:

anjriiiit.. nice color..
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

c00lsh0ts says:

Splendiferous portrayal of motion thru use of light and blurring.
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

neohippy says:

i miss my golf tdi. :(
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

dwaynehoov says:

nice pic...R32 owner here :)
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

cam2000 [deleted] says:

Drivers wanted ....... It has a good commercial view, full action with great harmonious colors. Nicely done!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Mike Pedroncelli says:

Great shot!

Congrats on #1 interestingness for November 5th, 2005!
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

Duduzerah says:

cool
Posted 50 months ago. ( permalink )

sermontef says:

PATHETIC AS HELL MAN... I MEAN SERIOUSLY YOU GIVE THE IMPRESSION OF SPEED, YET YOU'RE GOING 30MPH! hahahhaahhahahahahah-huuuuuahahahha
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

NWT 2005 says:

I like the speedo and rev counter effects.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

synmoo says:

I love my dub too. Great pic man. I'll be trying something similar.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Attleeboy says:

pretty colors.. whooo light speed at 30mph
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

DigitalPunk says:

Great shot!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

fotos paGoda says:

original!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

M J M says:

Go VW! Looks like my Jetta wagon...
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

apurva_mehta says:

i thought it was a picture frmo a video game ... dude thats some good creativity right there ... great picture!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

MickymX says:

héhé Amazing stuff... Nice idea (i'll test it, it's sure ;) )
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

:: Chérie :: says:

Great Shot
Great Colors
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Fillllll says:

k00
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

mosta_7 says:

very cool
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

vanvos says:

very wonderful shot!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

VelhoJR says:

great!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Remiss63 says:

you've got to submit this to BBlurzz!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Seipp says:

WOW
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Cristina Lequerica says:

WOW! A wonderful shot with the colors and the speed it is just so COOL!!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

toniagustian says:

what the hack!..
great moves.. great timing,
I love those panels lights very much..
"bravo"
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Yoga Raharja says:

I love it.. I love it !!!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

LovesOfMyLife [deleted] says:

Wow
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

phlezk says:

i've tried this numerous times. nothing close to lookig this good.

awesome.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Grajeda says:

awesome!!!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

roei says:

Great one ,very intersting! reminds a video game.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Squid Vicious says:

I am so going to find a flat newly paved road and do this!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

kmax says:

zoom-o-rama!!! what an exciting shot! thx!!!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Angel D says:

...and colourful. Amazing shot
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

fintsk says:

Awesome picture! Thanks for also describing the process behind it.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

plain jane says:

great capture... how i always feel behind the wheel.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

oybay © says:

Stunning.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Bobby Alcott says:

Way to go, man. Well done; congrats.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

mimbrava says:

Congrats on the #1 ranking, and thanks for adding this to the Interestingness pool.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

L.A. Woman ;D says:

Wow, amazing shot !!! =D
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

.steve.t [deleted] says:

That's fantastic, love it.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

eteela says:

funny, I wanted to get a shot like this in 1999 in a friends VW, I loved the blue dash display. I tried hand held on film ( i was just looking at the negs 3 days ago) but it turned out like... well you know.. Great work
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Peter Bowers says:

congrats on the sale, well done
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Kunal Chokshi says:

awsome............v well done....
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Rune T says:

Excellent!
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

gizi says:

congratulations! for the pic and the cash! :)
it is really nice.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

RainAtDawn says:

And of course VWs have the best colour dials of any car ;) Nice idea & execution
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Fabiz Rabbit says:

nice shot!
congratulation!
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael Sarver says:

I just got to the article this afternoon. Congrats on this great series!
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

daniel_bryant says:

I just randomly saw your article in Pop Photography and immediately recognized it from Flickr months ago. Kick ass!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

StanD70 says:

looks like Daniel Bryant beat me too, but I too just saw your photos in Pop Photo. I was like wait a minute...i know that picture. Great photos and article.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

jerkylicker says:

Was flipping through the latest issue of Pop Photo and saw your pic on a 2-page spread. I thought, hey that's one of my flickr faves! Congrats!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

/// Gixxie says:

♥ Rockin' tha Streets in tha V-Dub! ♥
Awesome Shot!! Excelent colors! : )
* Simply Fantastic *
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

frenchmansFJ says:

volkswagon

represent
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

AnDy631 says:

Congrats on the publication, this one looks great in print!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Servilles says:

ok I have tried taking this shot and this one is the best. THE BEST BY FAR! PRIMO
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Servilles says:

DO PEOPLE KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO GET THIS QUALITY OF IMAGE god
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Robbie Howell says:

congratulations. nice work.
Posted 45 months ago. ( permalink )

Captain Nandu Chitnis says:

Outstanding. Thanks for the detailed explanation.
Posted 45 months ago. ( permalink )

kamera_kat says:

Very nice. Saw the article. Good stuff! Congrats.
Posted 45 months ago. ( permalink )

enzym says:

Fantastic light shot! I happened to find your photo and article from Popular Photography and Imaging Magazine. Interesting read. I so wanna take something like this as well. But I probably need a bike.
Posted 45 months ago. ( permalink )

gazpa says:

Wow! I like it. Now It's one of my favorites too.
Posted 44 months ago. ( permalink )

www.ericcastro.biz says:

great shot, Im so stealing it !!LOL I really like the explanation on how though, helps us noobs learn how its done ;)
Posted 44 months ago. ( permalink )

Felix van de Gein says:

very cool shot!
Posted 44 months ago. ( permalink )

aaroncanipe says:

I knew I'd seen this somewhere before! awesome pic man
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

®rkut says:

'I knew this was the picture.'
Yes i am agree with you.This is it.
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Kristopher_Fritters says:

instant favorit!!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

eye of einstein says:

yes it is a fantastic foto and now featured in nikonstunninggallery
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

cocoriah says:

Love it love it love it!!!!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

B Mully says:

Remarkable capture!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Protopito goes to Nederland says:

need for speed!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )

Junketz says:

Its all been said... LEGEND!!
Posted 43 months ago. ( permalink )