Has anyone said you can't? I know there are some prohibited topics I won't mention but as far as I know railfan photography and the "tools of the trade" for the same aren't one of them.
It's not what you say, it's how you say it...
I've never seen any dissention regarding mention of cameras.
I would opine that such a discussion, as it applies to railfanning, is certainly most appropriate.
I'm sure there are camps that would take exception to the use of cell phones, vs an SLR, f'rinstance, but we get that type of thing anyhow.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
I believe he is referring to one of his old threads where he dissed the camera makers because they didn't make the exact camera he wanted and they would go out of business because of it. Also, he had a certain way to take pictures that was superior to anyone elses. Like I said--it's not what you say, but how you say it.
BackshopI believe he is referring to one of his old threads...
Ahh - now I recall.
For a subject to be on-topic, it must relate to trains. So if you want to talk about why certain cameras are good for taking pictures of trains, that's on topic. But if you just want to talk about which cameras are best, that isn't. It's a fine distinction, but a necessary one. Otherwise, we'd have to allow people to talk about what kind of cars are best to drive to a railfanning spot and which fast-food chain is best to pick up lunch to eat while you're there. You get it.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Steven OtteFor a subject to be on-topic, it must relate to trains. So if you want to talk about why certain cameras are good for taking pictures of trains, that's on topic. But if you just want to talk about which cameras are best, that isn't. It's a fine distinction, but a necessary one. Otherwise, we'd have to allow people to talk about what kind of cars are best to drive to a railfanning spot and which fast-food chain is best to pick up lunch to eat while you're there. You get it.
Watch a Danny Harmon 'Distant Signal' YouTube video - Danny is the Gold Standard for railfan videos.
As demonstrated, no Railfan Expedition is conducted with a continual empty stomach. Eating places 'close to the action' are a intrinsic element of railfaning unless you railfan location is from your back porch.
Support and let others know of the 'non-chain' local eating establishments - for other railfans information. Some railfan locations become favorites because of the gustatory options that are near the site. In some cases, these places may be where train crews stop to eat when they have the opportunity.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I've been in a couple of great restaurants in old train stations. First one was the Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor, MI. Several weeks ago, while visiting a college roommate of my wife's in Hartford, CT, we stopped by the Steaming Tender in Palmer, MA. I think Trains has written about it. We were near Tamaqua on the same trip but it wasn't mealtime so we missed the restaurant there. I'm going to try again on my next trip to the area in mid August.
BaltACDWatch a Danny Harmon 'Distant Signal' YouTube video - Danny is the Gold Standard for railfan videos.
I've watched some of his stuff. It's decent, but I can't get over his "royal Pentrex voice". Just a bit too much for me.
The gold standard for me is all words - no talking.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Steven Otte For a subject to be on-topic, it must relate to trains. So if you want to talk about why certain cameras are good for taking pictures of trains, that's on topic. But if you just want to talk about which cameras are best, that isn't. It's a fine distinction, but a necessary one. Otherwise, we'd have to allow people to talk about what kind of cars are best to drive to a railfanning spot and which fast-food chain is best to pick up lunch to eat while you're there. You get it.
Thank you for the clarification, but that clarification in itself can be confusing.
In photography, the essence of a good photo is correct exposure, but what is a correct exposure? Some photos I’ve seen in TRAINS of late have much to be desired, and I’ve concluded photo takers depend too much on their camera’s light meter!
It is unfortunate there isn’t a Photo and Camera section to our forums, because to assist others to take correctly exposed train photo is basically off topic. That becomes a super irony, because what would extremely benefit TRAINS and the readership is off topic and post-prohibited!
Is Danny Harmon the dharmon of the Detective Cinderdick saga?
BaltACD Steven Otte For a subject to be on-topic, it must relate to trains. So if you want to talk about why certain cameras are good for taking pictures of trains, that's on topic. But if you just want to talk about which cameras are best, that isn't. It's a fine distinction, but a necessary one. Otherwise, we'd have to allow people to talk about what kind of cars are best to drive to a railfanning spot and which fast-food chain is best to pick up lunch to eat while you're there. You get it. Watch a Danny Harmon 'Distant Signal' YouTube video - Danny is the Gold Standard for railfan videos. As demonstrated, no Railfan Expedition is conducted with a continual empty stomach. Eating places 'close to the action' are a intrinsic element of railfaning unless you railfan location is from your back porch. Support and let others know of the 'non-chain' local eating establishments - for other railfans information. Some railfan locations become favorites because of the gustatory options that are near the site. In some cases, these places may be where train crews stop to eat when they have the opportunity.
I take pictures with my iphone, pack a sandwich, and usually bike it to Bayview Junction, my favourite train watching location. Makes for a fun day and very cheap.
Ulrich I take pictures with my iphone, pack a sandwich, and usually bike it to Bayview Junction, my favourite train watching location. Makes for a fun day and very cheap.
Steven Otte:
I’m sorry Steve, but your clarification post was an incredibly, well, weird one and hardly enlightening! ALL cameras can take photos of trains, BUT to take a train photo under certain conditions perhaps needs a more elaborate discussion on light, which could be misinterpreted as off-topic, and thus removed. Such a poster that spent considerable time in composing such post to help their fellow forumists will think twice about using the TRAINS forums again, or even buying it’s books, etc.
Photos and cameras are so intertwined with trains it seems a post subject classification on such would be beneficial.
It is not clear if others feel that way too, so it would be nice if others would input their ideas.
croteauddI’m sorry Steve, but your clarification post was an incredibly, well, weird one and hardly enlightening! ... Photos and cameras are so intertwined with trains it seems a post subject classification on such would be beneficial. It is not clear if others feel that way too, so it would be nice if others would input their ideas.
Mr. Otte is correct. And his post wasn't "weird".
This is a model railroad site. There can be discussions of photography and trains, but to have a separate section strictly for photography and cameras doesn't fit.
There are many photography sites you can use for your interest in photography.
If you don't want that, you can start a thread on this forum for photographing trains. As long as you stay on topic, the thread will be allowed. You started a fairly lengthy thread on the topic a while back.
York1 John
York1 croteaudd I’m sorry Steve, but your clarification post was an incredibly, well, weird one and hardly enlightening! ... Photos and cameras are so intertwined with trains it seems a post subject classification on such would be beneficial. It is not clear if others feel that way too, so it would be nice if others would input their ideas. Mr. Otte is correct. And his post wasn't "weird". This is a model railroad site. There can be discussions of photography and trains, but to have a separate section strictly for photography and cameras doesn't fit. There are many photography sites you can use for your interest in photography. If you don't want that, you can start a thread on this forum for photographing trains. As long as you stay on topic, the thread will be allowed. You started a fairly lengthy thread on the topic a while back.
croteaudd I’m sorry Steve, but your clarification post was an incredibly, well, weird one and hardly enlightening! ... Photos and cameras are so intertwined with trains it seems a post subject classification on such would be beneficial. It is not clear if others feel that way too, so it would be nice if others would input their ideas.
The Trains forum IS NOT a model railroad site.
BaltACD York1 croteaudd I’m sorry Steve, but your clarification post was an incredibly, well, weird one and hardly enlightening! ... Photos and cameras are so intertwined with trains it seems a post subject classification on such would be beneficial. It is not clear if others feel that way too, so it would be nice if others would input their ideas. Mr. Otte is correct. And his post wasn't "weird". This is a model railroad site. There can be discussions of photography and trains, but to have a separate section strictly for photography and cameras doesn't fit. There are many photography sites you can use for your interest in photography. If you don't want that, you can start a thread on this forum for photographing trains. As long as you stay on topic, the thread will be allowed. You started a fairly lengthy thread on the topic a while back. The Trains forum IS NOT a model railroad site.
OK, OK, the heat got to me. I can fix it.
"This is a TRAINS site."
York1:
Your opinion and my opinion are strongly entrenched, thus, are not likely to change. Time tends to change views, however. It will be interesting to see what we both will think in 20 years, and how easy or hard we both will experience in finding answers to our questions to things in life. Of course, I suppose troublemakers and hate mongers will always be with us. It should be most fascinating to see who excels and who is helpless in dealing with them.
Have a great evening!
croteaudd Time tends to change views, however. It will be interesting to see what we both will think in 20 years, and how easy or hard we both will experience in finding answers to our questions to things in life. Of course, I suppose troublemakers and hate mongers will always be with us. It should be most fascinating to see who excels and who is helpless in dealing with them.
Lets remember the cardinal rule of today's age -
If you don't have a picture, it didn't happen.
How one gets the picture is a critical element.
Backshop croteaudd Such a poster that spent considerable time in composing such post to help their fellow forumists will think twice about using the TRAINS forums again, or even buying it’s books, etc. There you go again. Do you even know how you sound?
croteaudd Such a poster that spent considerable time in composing such post to help their fellow forumists will think twice about using the TRAINS forums again, or even buying it’s books, etc.
Such a poster that spent considerable time in composing such post to help their fellow forumists will think twice about using the TRAINS forums again, or even buying it’s books, etc.
There you go again. Do you even know how you sound?
Discussion of camera operation and technique with clear reference to the aspects related to 'better train pictures' is always going to be on topic.
Something that isn't is a magical mystery tour around how certain cameras operate, and how certain posters disagree with that operation without actually indicating the reasons they disagree. That might be interesting on a camera version of the old Ampex forum... but not in a community of friends.
croteauddSO are cameras (that most railfans have and need)
Nobody "needs" a camera to railfan. it is quite possible enjoy rrailfanning without a camera as you concentrate on the train and not the camera. Try it some time
Nothing is stopping you from setting up and running such a site. THis may be news, but taking photos is NOT an essential part of the railfan experience for a lot of people
I, for one, do NOT agree with any of your posts
Col BobNobody "needs" a camera to railfan. it is quite possible enjoy rrailfanning without a camera as you concentrate on the train and not the camera. Try it some time
This site in particular seems less interested in photos/videos vs words.
Used to be a few people that would promote their stuff, but they move on due to lack of people actually watching their stuff. Not enough clicks for the effort, I guess. Esp. when it is people that never post anything else except to show off their channels.
Like and subscribe. And hit that bell. And click that Ko-fi link. Become a sponsor.
zugmannThis site in particular seems less interested in photos/videos vs words.
Partly due to the process for posting images here. I used to post some, but the site I used is gone.
One could argue that scanners aren't trains, too, but, like cameras, they are a tool railfans use.
tree68 One could argue that scanners aren't trains, too, but, like cameras, they are a tool railfans use.
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