Reflective Traffic Vest for Night Shooting-1 img

philbaum · 08-13-2009, 11:40 AM

Guys and gals,
I think this is one of the brighter ideas i've had. I love taking night pictures but i can think of 3 reasons to wear a traffic style vest:

a. you don't want to frighten someone out walking at night
b. you don't want to be reported as voyeur spying on other folks
c. you don't want to be a traffic statistic if you are near roads

I thought this was solely my idea, until i was in a nearby town and saw this guy setup on a tripod, wearing a traffic vest.

As to which traffic vest to buy, i recommend anything with reflective tape, orange or lime green, and the lightest weight arrangment you can find (usually about $10). You want something you can stuff in a pocket in your camera bag so that it will always be along.

At first i didn't wear it much, now its become a habit and i feel very comfortable in it. People see a traffic vest on someone and a tripod, i think they figure out i'm a harmless photographer, i think the vest even makes one look more "official" in some way.

I was 10 or 15 feet off the road when i took the picture below, but as the sky got darker, i was glad that i was visible, and in fact some cars slowed after spotting me.

flyer · 08-13-2009, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by philbaum

and in fact some cars slowed after spotting me.

More than likely, they thought you were a speed cop with a mobile radar unit.

kerrowdown · 08-13-2009, 05:21 PM

I must admit I always use one for outdoor events (even daytime) when I'm there on a job, it allows me to be seen by all who need to see me, which in turn causes me a lot less hassle.

philbaum · 08-13-2009, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by flyer

More than likely, they thought you were a speed cop with a mobile radar unit.

Good point, if my camera had been visible, they probably would have speeded up

*mickeyobe* · 08-13-2009, 09:17 PM

From the painted lines on the road it appears that Washington Stae allows passing on curves.
Is that how they keep the population from expanding?

Mickey

alohadave · 08-13-2009, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by mickeyobe

From the painted lines on the road it appears that Washington Stae allows passing on curves.
Is that how they keep the population from expanding?

Mickey

From the markings, the right lane can pass (dashed line), but the left lane can't (solid line).

*mickeyobe* · 08-15-2009, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by alohadave

From the markings, the right lane can pass (dashed line), but the left lane can't (solid line).

On a curve???
What's it called - Suicide Circle?

Mickey

alohadave · 08-15-2009, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by mickeyobe

On a curve???
What's it called - Suicide Circle?

Mickey

If you look at the picture, it looks like the road curves back to the left later on. At the point where the dashes start, it looks like you'd be able to see the entire bend to see if there is opposing traffic.

*jbrowning* · 08-15-2009, 09:04 AM

I think the traffic vest is a good idea Phil.

Jim

mithrandir · 08-15-2009, 09:18 AM

Thanks for the safety tip. I need to visit the local Harbor Freight and pick up a vest for myself.

*Ratmagiclady* · 08-15-2009, 10:10 AM

Speaking of safety, there's always those clip on bicycle flashy taillight/reflectors. They go nice on camera bag straps and are good for walking along roads at night. (They used to sell a lot of em to go on schoolkids' backpacks and Halloween costumes, too, they'd be a lot cheaper there than in a bike shop.)

*mickeyobe* · 08-15-2009, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by alohadave

If you look at the picture, it looks like the road curves back to the left later on. At the point where the dashes start, it looks like you'd be able to see the entire bend to see if there is opposing traffic.

I guess there are different laws in different jurisdictions.

In this small part of the universe passing on a curve is strictly forbidden.

Mickey

Arpe · 08-16-2009, 07:26 PM

Passing on curves is a must here, hardly any of our roads are straight!

*reeftool* · 08-18-2009, 09:48 AM

As a night shift worker who drives at night daily I would say its a good idea. Especially now in the warm weather months I regularly see pedestrians wearing dark clothing walking along the highway who are almost invisible until the last second. I wear one doing road calls always. If you want a scary experience, change a tire on a truck on the interstate sometime on the left side of the truck at night. Even with a vest on NEVER assume that drivers can see you.

alohadave · 08-18-2009, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by reeftool

If you want a scary experience, change a tire on a truck on the interstate sometime on the left side of the truck at night. Even with a vest on NEVER assume that drivers can see you.

I had to change a left rear tire once during the day and I was freaked out by the traffic, and I had plenty of room. I wouldn't want to do it at night.