What a scorcher of a weekend, with a lot of action on the local railroads! Here are a quick three, featuring Canadian National, Union Pacific and Indiana Rail Road. Please leave your comments here or on our Trains Facebook page or Twitter. I'll be sure to check in throughout the day!
July 16
A northbound CN freight rounds a curve into North Sussex, Wis., passing beneath the Union Pacific Adams line. Canon EOS 30D, 7/16/2011, 1/1000 sec, f/6.3, ISO 125, 92mm. Drew Halverson photos
What I like:
The crooked sign and swaying grass. I intentionally focused on the foreground and left the approaching train out of focus to provide a sense of anticipation.
What I don't like:
Nothing really. Anything you don't like?
What I learned:
Focusing on different subjects in a photograph can provide a different mood to the viewer. This less-traditional railroad image helps to focus on other key aspects of railroad operation, like the "North Sussex" sign, in this case.
July 17
Union Pacific No. 9554 reflects in the window of my orange Pontiac Aztek at Butler yard in Butler, Wis. Canon EOS 30D, 7/16/2011, 1/250 sec, f/5, ISO 320, 18mm.
The unique approach, using the window reflection, in an otherwise ordinary situation. With a parked train, you can still achieve an interesting image.
The small piece of bird poop on my car window. I should have cleaned that off before taking this shot.
In a situation where you have time and a parked train, you can look for different angles and use nearby objects to gain new perspectives. You just might come away with a rather striking image, especially if you drive an orange Pontiac Aztek!
July 18
The Indiana Rail Road SD9043MAC No. 9005 blasts up Cemetery Hill on the south side of Milwaukee, Wis. Canon EOS 30D, 7/17/2011, 1/1000 sec, f7.1, ISO 160, 176mm.
Indiana Rail Road No. 9005 (and the SD9043MACs like it). These locomotives are some of the prettiest around. In addition, I love the small fracture of light through the trees, just enough to light the cab!
Not much ... Again. Your thoughts?
Elevation is always a good thing. At this location, on a fenced-in bridge, you have two options. You can either shoot through the chain link fence or shoot above it. Using my vehicle, I was able to get above it and use the telephoto lens properly, without having to point it through the fencing.
Galleries:
Flickr: "Drew's Fantastic Train Photo Adventure, 2011" Facebook: Trains Magazine Facebook Page
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