Photographing out of the boot of a car

analoganx

analoganx

Suspended / Banned
Messages
114
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

Not entirely which forum this query should go in but I'd thought I'd start here.

I have a shoot coming up photographing some cyclists.

I'd like to shoot them from a moving vehicle and the boot of a car would be the easiest way.

Someone told me you can apply for a licence to be able to do this legally. Does anyone know any more about this?

Thanks!
 
Depending on what vehicle you're using, you might be able to do it with the rear window wound down, possibly from a sideways or rearwards facing seat (so you can have a seatbelt on.) Short of that, if you can arrange the shoot on a properly private road, there shouldn't be any legal problems just sitting in an open boot. Maybe even a fixed tripod in an open boot and a remote release. Not sure how legal it is to ride pillion on a bike while facing backwards but that's how they do the TV coverage of road races.

ETA... By rear window, I mean the back windscreen rather than the passenger door windows!
 
If you read the Metropolitan Police Film Unit guide on shooting on the move, you'll get an idea of what forces allow and what they don't. You don't need a licence - bu it's normal to apply for a letter so that the local beat police know you're doing it. They may want to see risk assessments and insurance.

Shooting out of the boot depends on your car - if it relies on the boot being shut for structural integrity, then forget it.

The cameraman must be restrained using a recognised restraint to a strong point. Equipment must be gripped and tethered (to a different strong point) in such a way that it can't go flying in a crash or be dropped onto the road.


http://content.met.police.uk/Site/filmunitguidelines
 
All the Tour de France entourage last year had some form of tether to the occupants even though they were operating on closed roads. Kit should also be tethered as the race organisers and riders will be pretty miffed if camera bodies, tripods etc land on the road in front of the peloton. Potentially very dangerous to all concerned.

Check the insurance position and with the race organisers as well as the old bill.

Have you ever thought about shooting from the back seat of a convertible car? Personally that is the way I would do it. Room for your kit and safe too. I cant see shooting out of the boot getting the ok from anyone. Maybe British Cycling can assist? british cycling

If you do go ahead, get a copy of the event entry form and riders list / numbers from the organiser to identify the riders after the event.
 
I've done this, from the back seat of a convertible as suggested, with two cameras also mounted on the boot/side with a car rig setup. As I shot from the hand held camera it also triggered the other two cameras for a different angle or opportunity.

I've also shot from the rear of Merc e320 sat in the rear jump seat, and hung out the boot of a bmw estate around brunters at about 30mph. That's not fun nor to be encouraged.

The other way I've seen (but dont fancy despite riding motorbiks) is sitting backwards as Pillion on a motorbike
 
Top Gear used to shoot from the back of Range Rovers...
 
I'm sure Mr C would be happy to shoot lots of things from lots of dangerous places.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for all the advice.

I've ridden pillion a few times filming and photographing, it's a pretty good core strength work out... I'm haven't done it sitting backwards!

Hanging out the window has been done a few times too... needs a bit of contortion to get into the right places. Hence why shooting out of the boot would get the most varied of angles etc.

I'll see if the missus is up for getting a convertible!
 
Byker28i said:
I've done this, from the back seat of a convertible as suggested, with two cameras also mounted on the boot/side with a car rig setup. As I shot from the hand held camera it also triggered the other two cameras for a different angle or opportunity.

I've also shot from the rear of Merc e320 sat in the rear jump seat, and hung out the boot of a bmw estate around brunters at about 30mph. That's not fun nor to be encouraged.

The other way I've seen (but dont fancy despite riding motorbiks) is sitting backwards as Pillion on a motorbike
Click to expand...

The Police docs say the rear facing pillion has to be a specially modified bike.
 
Byker28i said:
Top Gear used to shoot from the back of Range Rovers...
Click to expand...

Yeah, a Range Rover with split window/boot door is one of the cars the Met say you can use as the boot window isn't structural. You still need to be restrained and the cameras tethered though.
 
Nod said:
Not sure how legal it is to ride pillion on a bike while facing backwards but that's how they do the TV coverage of road races.
Click to expand...
st599 said:
The Police docs say the rear facing pillion has to be a specially modified bike.
Click to expand...
What the police may imply or suggest may be worthy of consideration, but its not a requirement of law.
The defining legislation is the Road Traffic act, and the Construction & Use regulations.
The motorcycle 'must' have passenger accommodation, by way of seat and foot-rests, that 'may' be reached by a passenger sat astride the machine, on the passenger seat. You cannot ride - 'side-saddle' on a motorcycle; rider & passenger 'must' sit 'astride' the machine. That is about as far as the provisions of actual 'law' go for a pillion on a motorcycle, other than, Rider must have full motorcycle entitlement, and both rider and passenger must wear an 'approved' crash helmet.
Pillion can sit forwards or backwards, 'legally'.. as long as there's a bit of seat for them, and they can put their feet on the foot-rests, and they wear a hat...
But I'd use my Range-Rover.....
 
Buy an old Mercedes with 7 seats, boot ones are rearwards.

Recently had a friend sit in the back of my boot, with the BMW opening glass open. This was on a closed circuit though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top