Source
r/Truckers•
markmitchellbrown

What do truckers think of truck spotters/photographers?

I love trucks (should have become a trucker 20 years ago, but alas...) and photography, and so making photos of trucks is a fun hobby for me. However, I always wonder what truckers think of it? If I see a nice truck parked somewhere I'll ask the driver - if available - if I can take a photo, but you can't exactly do that when they're roaring past on the highway. I don't try to hide what I'm doing, but it always feels a little voyeuristic.

What are your thoughts on it? Cool? Creepy?

Posted Sep 13, 2022, 6:55 PM UTC

619
The_Chimeran_Hybrid•

If you’re taking pictures or trucks driving by, they probably think you’re just a highway worker doing surveys or something.

The guys with the trucks lit up like a Christmas tree and painted a thousand colors want to be noticed though.

15
markmitchellbrownOP•

Ha, yeah I suppose they would. Always fun to photograph, too!

3
FLATL1N3•

Yea I was grabbing lunch at a rest area the other day and a beautiful red and white super sleeper 389 was parked there and happened to be rolling out as I was heading back to the truck. I whipped out my phone to get a picture and he just slow rolled to a stop I snapped a few and he was on his way. So yea the nice trucks always like photos

3
Waisted-Desert•

If you're in a public place taking pictures of things in public, no can do anything about it. If it'll make you feel more comfortable, get a t-shirt printed that says something like "Truck Spotting of {insert geographic location}."

3
markmitchellbrownOP•

Yeah, I know I'm not doing anything wrong, just trying to be considerate. :-)

1
shadowmib•

I don't think about them at all

3
BigRigPC•

Just don’t stand on the shoulder, most of us would assume you work for some survey crew.

I bet a good portion of drivers won’t look up from their phones to see you in the first place.

3
3dprint_addict•

I would assume you are taking pictures of nice trucks, drivers that have nice trucks are very proud of their rig and absolutely don’t mind having someone take a picture

3
markmitchellbrownOP•

Nice trucks or super beat old smokers! Lol

3
SearchAndCaesarSalad•

I'd be psyched. It's a really low barrier for entry to make someone's day like that.

3
markmitchellbrownOP•

Cool! I’m considering sending a couple of my photos to the Facebook pages of some of the small companies these O/Os run for. They may appreciate it.

2
overpaidlazytrucker•

I had someone take a photo of me as I was driving she was on a pedestrian bridge that crosses the highway definitely had a expensive camera and I thought I hope that's not my employer fucking with me because if it is things are going to start arriving later than usual but then I thought it was probably someone fascinated with the highway.

2
markmitchellbrownOP•

Yeah, I would assume getting an artsy shot of moving traffic or something, or maybe she’s really into trucks too :-D

But that’s what I want to avoid, is making drivers concerned or distracted in some way or another. My usual spot is pretty discreet, but I’d hate it if I was getting into the heads of drivers. I’m probably just overthinking things.

2
Bulky_Tiger2619•

I have a friend with a nice rig who has found some amazing shots of his truck on-line & the photographer actually has the images copyright protected ... just kind of funny.

2
markmitchellbrownOP•

Haha yeah, some photographers get super possessive about their photos as if it's going to make them millions some day, lol. Good luck....

1
socialrageDelivering your Groceries•

If you're taking a picture of me in my vanilla Freightliner I'd think that you're kinda special.

Now back when I was driving pretty trucks I wouldn't mind someone appreciating a nice looking truck.

2
markmitchellbrownOP•

I’ve been called worse 🤣. Thanks for the feedback!

2
grapedrank2•

I think it's cool. There aren't as many nice trucks on the road left. If I see someone taking a picture, I always give a smile or a wave/thumbs up.

Snap pictures to your hearts content!

1
markmitchellbrownOP•

Cool, thanks for your input!

1