Mini Cooper Mom & Daughter

Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 15 November 2008 in Transportation and Portfolio.

...in that 30 MPH curve we saw yesterday.

About an hour before this capture - I had stopped along the Eel River near Garberville - drawn by the beautiful clouds and gentle light over the stream. While there, a mother and daughter pulled off the highway to get some photos of their own. They had me take a picture of the two of them with their camera (always happy to oblige). They were heading south from Arcata - where the daughter is considering attending Humboldt State University.

We talked about HSU and how much the area had changed in the past three decades. We parted company. At Garberville, I stopped for coffee - and figured them long gone - heading for their home in the San Francisco bay area.

After getting back on the road and driving south another 20 miles (32 km), I arrived at this spot where I'd photographed the bridge construction we've been viewing this week, as well as that yellow caution sign with the autumn leaves we saw here yesterday. Just after snapping that shot - here came mom and daughter around that curve in their distinctive red and white Mini-Cooper. I waved - they waved - and 'click' !

[notebook]: given that I don't have a model release or permission from these two to post their image on the 'www' - I altered their license plate to protect their identity. Good old Photoshop. The sign behind their car is not altered at all. Courtesy of the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans). Might we reduce accidents if they posted more of these?

© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
please respect these rights - do not copy or use these images without permission

Your comments are invited. You will also find me at ...

vfxy Photoblogs | Listed on Photoblogs.org

Comments (20)

Anthony Lambert from Bielefeld, Germany

A Mini-Cooper doing only 30Mph.That´s rare !!

15 Nov 2008 6:15am

@Anthony Lambert: ...whoa, whoa, whoa, there Alun - I reported that the curve was posted at 30 mph - not that the Mini Cooper was traversing at that speed. This would violate several laws of physics. And believe me, mom was fully capable of getting maximum performance from that shiny gem!

Vink from Grasse - French riviera, France

Mini-style ! superb capture !

15 Nov 2008 8:31am

djedfre from schaumburg, United States

... and your hands upon the wheel?
(i wonder if that's where he got it from? and of course it begs the obvious question - if you're busy reading the sign... )

15 Nov 2008 8:50am

yz from Budapest, Hungary

Nice capture! Perfectly composed. I was laughing on that sign, is that for real? I mean where else shall I keep my eyes when driving...

15 Nov 2008 8:57am

@yz: Well, picture the scene: There is that bridge being built here, just off this spot to the west. And this section is highly unstable. The State Highway folks (CalTrans) erected massive wire-mesh steel screens laid flat across the mountainside - secured by thick steel cables. Tall light poles with massive flood lights are aimed at the hillside so anyone might see a landslide in the rain at night. (it is nice to see what is taking you out) - All of this to suggest there is much to distract one here. That sign serves as a reminder of a more immediate task.

Alun Lambert from cheshire, United Kingdom

that little mini would do warp speed around bends, they stick to the road like glue ;) cracking shot, the driver is having fun, very nice mini

15 Nov 2008 9:32am

@Alun Lambert: Remember, Alun - we drive on the 'wrong' side over here, so that's the daughter that's waving. Trust me, our driver mom was having fun, too - but they were clipping along fast enough that this was the only shot I got of them.

Francesc B. from région parisienne, France

Hi There ... lol...
Very nice pic, Stephen... beautiful angle and well composed... I like the reflections on the road...

15 Nov 2008 9:55am

Catalin from Bucharest, Romania

good thing the road was wet, in this way the shot is even better.

15 Nov 2008 10:21am

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Great car, and I love the action, look at that she's waving at you lol too good ;)

15 Nov 2008 12:53pm

JJ from Jersey City, United States

always love the minis and this is a cool capture of it, they stick to the road so well I am sure tey could well have been going a thad over 30, great story to go with it, the world is so big and yet so small at ties with these chance encounters

15 Nov 2008 1:00pm

MontereyJohn from Salinas, California, United States

Model releases ... ah yes. Mere technicalities! :) I'm afraid I've ignored that technicality a time or two. Usually I only do it in very public area or at an event of some kind which fit into an exception to that legality. Still, I should get in the habit of carrying them in my bag.

Fun image.

15 Nov 2008 2:30pm

@MontereyJohn: Hey, John - I'm bad on this point, too - but actively trying to change my behavior. It seems embarrassing and awkward to ask people to sign a release. Actually - most folks are flattered. There isn't any problem (generally) posting images if the subject was aware and willing. The disappointment comes if you are ever asked for permission to use the image in print or advertising. Publishers won't touch your perfect photograph without that release - and unless it is someone you know - you'll never find them after-the-fact.

hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong

Wow, that's really eye-catching... I guess it's hard to keep our eyes on the road!:-) Beautiful catch Stephen!

15 Nov 2008 2:30pm

@hugo poon: Bridge construction - steep mountain over a beautiful river. There's a lot to look at here.

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

That sign is a contradiction, I think we all know why. Love that mini.

15 Nov 2008 10:47pm

gbe from kansas city, United States

good photo, and sounds like a good day.

15 Nov 2008 11:33pm

willow from Chelsea, United States

Hmmm.... Seems as if noone has their eyes on the road! It's a fun shot. And I love the new license plate.

15 Nov 2008 11:52pm

@willow: ...thanks for noticing the plate - it was fun to do. And who needs their eyes on the road through a narrow, bumpy, tight series of curves on a road with lots of semi-tractor trailer trucks barreling along in both directions?

sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Exceptional capture and interesting details about it:-) I wanted a solid grey Mini before I bought Evie.

16 Nov 2008 5:50am

@sherri: There are many Mini's in the world. There is only one Evie!

DarkElf from Perth, Australia

superb timing of the shot - you got it at just the right place and moment! what's a Mini Cooper doing at 30 mph???

16 Nov 2008 10:42am

@DarkElf: Just because the curve says '30' - doesn't say what the Mini is doing.

Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France

Nice action shot. And a marvellous little car.

16 Nov 2008 5:57pm

Magda from Vancouver, Canada

Fantastic shot! What a story behind it.....

17 Nov 2008 6:11am

Framed and Shot from Houston, United States

Nice!
We like the way she is smiling to you!!
Great story and photo!

19 Nov 2008 4:11am

Les from Lincoln, United States

Just discovered your blog and had to comment on this shot. I have a red Mini, too. They're great fun.
And, I used to live near Garberville! We lived in Redway way, way back in 1967 or so. Haven't been back, but I'll bet it's changed. I was about 6 years old.

14 Dec 2008 9:24pm

@Les: I love spending time along the Eel and above - I may just wind up living up in that direction. The Mini is a great piece of engineering. Thanks for checking-in, Les.

Add your comment ...

next day →