Over the past year and a half we've gotten dozens of emails about our header images; how they work and where we got them. So I thought it best to take some time and explain them a bit.
The idea of creating different headers and having them rotate on a daily basis came from simply not being able to choose which one to use. We've gone from 12 the first week to having a cap of 50 in the rotation. Many of those were updated during recent redesign of the site.
The images change over automatically when the first person posts on the site after 2am CST. We thought about making the images rotate every time you visit but figured it would be more interesting to have the changeover tied to each day. We felt that having the image change based on a 24 hour period gave the site a daily edition type of quality as well as making the look uniform for everyone day to day.
And the biggest question – where did you guys get all the images? Simple answer to that one – the majority of the images are ones I've taken over the past two and a half years. However at least 25% of the photos have come from readers of the site.
Hopefully that answers many of the questions surrounding the images. If you have more feel free to post them in the comment section.
Also – If anyone has an exceptional photo or two that fits the style of the site and you feel would work as a header feel free to send them in. To do so use the contact link at the top of the page and we'll email you back with an appropriate address to send them to.
<p>I always look forward to seeing whats on the header each morning. Some of them would make great prints or posters. Have you given any thought to producing some of your favorites and offering them for sale? Seems like there might be a market for resaonalby priced MINI-art for those of us who can't afford the MAXYART.
Keep up the great work, Gabe!!</p>
<p>All very nice…RB</p>
<p>I'd definitely spring for a print of the shot with the Minis motoring down LSD in the early spring with the wonderfully moody Chicago grey skies =) </p>
<p>But I can certainly see your indecision prompting a random approach, they're all fun pictures!</p>
<p>being a CR/W owner, i for one would love a big pic of the current header, the MC40, Classic Mini, and all the CR/W MINI's. i think you could make a pretty penny off of it</p>
<p>I especially like the winter ones when it's hot and muggy out! Great pics!</p>
<p>The headers are one of the things that make this site unique, and I look forward to them! They are always clever and done in such an artful manner, they make you anticipate the always excellent articles here. Well done, Gabe & Matt!</p>
<pre><code> BCNU,
Rob in Dago
</code></pre>
<p>Thanks for the explanation Gabe. That satisfies my long standing curiousity about the headers. I too look forward to seeing which one comes up each morning. Bravo! on a job well done. As always.</p>
<p>James</p>
<p>I always enjoy the headers, and get a big kick out of seeing either my Cooper, or someone else's that I know..</p>
<p>Just wanted to test “The images change over automatically when the first person posts on the site after 2am CST” statement. ;)</p>
<p>The images are one of the best parts of my mornings. I always check to see what's up there. I especially like the close up of the rear wheel/brake caliper.</p>
<p>-Loren</p>
<p>The header images are a treat I always look forward to, and the overall design of motoringfile matches the clean, simple elegance of the MINI. </p>
<p>I'll take it as a personal challenge to supply you with a photo worth using as one of your rotating header images.</p>
<p>Hi Wings. Interesting that you would imply that MAXYART would be unaffordable. Your post date was July 27th and my the launch wasn't until August 19th. I'm all for Gabe's site and the images are great. I also encourage and support anything that is a quality product and keeps the MINI alive. I just think it's unfortunate when people spread misinformation or assumptions and wonder what the motivation is. Seems that isn't the spirit of Motoring to me.</p>