Balance - Watching versus Shooting (Help!!!)

[Anonymous]

For Photographers of Rail Activity - What is your balance?

I recently took a trip to London, Ontario Canada and spend a few days taking digital pictures of CP and CN and though I had fun, I walked away feeling somewhat cheated. Every consist that went by I shot (digital camera) but because each time I was setting up for the shot, actually watching the train, or standing on top of the wooden bridge to feel the exhaust from the units a few feet underneath me, didn't happen.

Do I (you) do one day of shooting and the next day leave my camera at home or what? I got some great pictures but I feel like their has got to be a better way.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Bill Warner
Worcester, MA.

[zardoz]

When I go out and get to my spot, I set up for photography. I've got in mind what I want to shoot. But unless there is something 'special' about the moment (unusual motive power, fantastic lighting, weather elements, scenery) happening, I just watch the trains go by, enjoying the sensations you listed above. Granted, I already have a lot of photographs (you did not mention if you were rather new at this or what); so I do not shoot the 'everyday' type of train anymore. But I think I know exactly what you mean about feeling cheated; I used to feel that way, too. Hence my current policy of photography.

[Anonymous]

I have gone on trips with people. I didn't have as much fun as I could have. There was one person who only cared about photography, and nothing else. He made it not fun because he would not even get out of the vehicle if the train had "the wrong lighting." I enjoy trains because of what they are. It seems like he only cared about a photograph. I used my camera and got some nice shots here and there, but he would comments to everyone on how great his digital slr camera is compared to ours and his superior skills. In the end his photos are no better than mine.

I take photos of interesting stuff or shots in a new area. If I am at one spot for a while and several trains come by from the same direction, I only photograph one or two for the scene.

[JoeKoh]

I just take pics leave footprints and watch the train afterwords.matt likes to wave to the crews.There are times at night since I work 3rd that I could watch trains but then work wouldnt get done.
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

I know what you mean when it comes to that "cheated feeling."

I recenetly went out to mission to watch the 2816 go through, and thought I should take some pics with my dad's little digital camera....

Well I got totally hung up on taking the pictures, when it was all over, I couldn't even remember what the train looked like???

Hence, I have what to me were some great pics, but I never really even looked at the train, I just saw it through the view finder.

From now on I am going to try and strike a better balance, I seem to get more fun out of just watching anyway. (I did get some nice shots that I am now using as wallpaper, though. [:)]

[tree68]

Consider setting up on a tripod. Get the picture of the frame you have in the viewfinder in you head, and watch the trains. If your camera will take a cable release, get one. If you have an idea how your picture is framed, you can watch, and when you see a good picture, click away.

If you have/can use telephoto, use it. The longer lens will give you more depth of field in most cases, and then you can enjoy the trains as they pass you.

Also, as mentioned, have a shooting script in mind.