I’ve stewed about getting a lucky shot before. I haven’t heard that comment from anyone in a while–perhaps my work just hasn’t been that good. With this shot, I’ll definitely concede to about 90% luck…
On my way to work this morning, I encountered a traffic jam on one of the major freeways. We slowed, then stopped. After a minute or two, I put the car in park. Several minutes later, I turned my car off. The radio announced that there had been an accident and that one lane of traffic was getting through. I knew that was a lie (or very late information). I texted my wife that the freeway was a literal parking lot, which prompted her to call me instantly. She’d seen that there was a big accident along my route to work, and that a medical helicopter had been dispatched–she was glad I’d texted her so she knew it wasn’t me waiting for the chopper. I saw the chopper arrive and then depart.
Twenty five minutes after I’d first stopped, traffic started moving again. Half the freeway was still blocked off, but at least we were moving. As I approached, I decided to pull out my cell phone camera and see if I could “snap” a picture of the accident, just to show my wife and coworkers (whom I’d also texted that I’d be late). I wasn’t about to stop, or even intentionally slow down to compose the picture–I was going to need a bit of luck in composing it. So I rolled down the passenger window, activated the camera, held it at arms length at the open window and put my eyes straight ahead. I wasn’t even really sure I’d get a view of the accident because of all the emergency vehicles around. I also had to anticipate the timing because the camera has a significant shutter lag. So, anticipating the moment, I pressed the button. When I pulled the camera to the steering wheel to see the result, I just about jumped out of my seat. Talk about your luck!
It was only after I downloaded the picture to a computer that I noticed what really makes this image awesome for me–you can see a police car and the officer standing next to it perfectly framed by my rear-view mirror.
Yes, I am the sick bastard who takes a picture of a car wreck and celebrates the luck of the shot when I should be shuddering at the devastation. It was a really nasty wreck, and I really do hope the people involved make it through. I really do wish I’d never had the opportunity to take this picture. But I’m glad I did.
