Strobes near highway traffic

[richardsfault]

On a scouting expedition yesterday, I came across a section of a park that offered some semi-urban backgrounds with signs, fences, and traffic. These preview images were shot at normal to wide focal lengths so the traffic distance is conveyed faithfully:







(Note that the bidge ice risk level is quite low at the present time :) )

Assuming that I was shooting a fashion or casually-dressed model in daylight with an AB800 and 32" or 45" white umbrella, does anyone see a hazard posed to drivers?

What about police or "concerned citizens" being freaked out?

[RKDauph]

I have shot next to interstates with out problems using speedlights, umbrellas, etc. I was only there for about 10-15 minutes - hit and run.

Setting up an AB with Vagabond etc would take longer, shooting the retreating cars is safer, I believe, than shooting into on coming traffic at night.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by RKDauph

I have shot next to interstates with out problems using speedlights, umbrellas, etc. I was only there for about 10-15 minutes - hit and run.

Setting up an AB with Vagabond etc would take longer, shooting the retreating cars is safer, I believe, than shooting into on coming traffic at night.

I have no plans on doing this at night, only as daylight fill.

[RKDauph]

As long has you're not impeding or distracting traffic then I wouldn't think it'd be an issue at all.

[CaptainTom]

You need to be aware of the requirement to wear a safety vest.
Technically this would apply to models as well as the photo crew..

8/26/08
Beginning on Nov. 24 of this year, reporters and photographers working on federal highway rights-of-way will have to wear high-visibility safety apparel.
This new regulation is part of a U.S. Department of Transportation rule that will require all people working within highway rights of way to wear high-visibility apparel.
Newspapers need to be aware of this coming requirement and provide their reporters and photographers with vests or other acceptable apparel.

Vests are not expensive and can be gotten at Home Depot, etc.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

You need to be aware of the requirement to wear a safety vest.
Technically this would apply to models as well as the photo crew...

I don't think that applies here, as there is either a fence or concrete barrier present.

However, a safety vest on the photographer could make it appear that they "belong there" to the gullible public.

They have their place on models as well:

[CaptainTom]

She looks like a real cut-up....

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

You need to be aware of the requirement to wear a safety vest.
Technically this would apply to models as well as the photo crew..

Nonsense. The law applies to federal workers and "responders to incidents" which includes news media. It doesn't apply to regular citizens. It's also only applicable along federally funded highways which I don't think would include Beltway 8, seeing as how that's a county tollroad.

http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/.../safety01.html

[Wes]

I would think that as long as your flash is not directed towards incoming traffic you should be okay. I notice that the red-light camera's fire their flash at the rear of the vehicle, which makes me think that the state is okay with that.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Nonsense. The law applies to federal workers and "responders to incidents" which includes news media. It doesn't apply to regular citizens. It's also only applicable along federally funded highways which I don't think would include Beltway 8, seeing as how that's a county tollroad.

http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/.../safety01.html

Well !! I consider myself bitch slapped.