Trains.com

Favorite photography season

4939 views
40 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 9:50 PM
Fall, and I think this photo explains everything:

View Photo
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Arizona
  • 5 posts
Posted by chuck1218w on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 9:48 PM
Fall for Contrast, foliage colors, and pleasant outdoor conditions. If you are hardcore, and into steam,
nothing beats sub freezing blazing sunlit weather for outstanding opportunities for great Pictures.

Chuck
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 10, 2003 3:23 PM
Well anytime the weather is "Decent" and there is traffic is a good time. Fall colors do look nice
but I think spring is a good time.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: London, Ontario
  • 195 posts
Posted by brilondon on Thursday, October 9, 2003 9:31 PM
[:p][:p]I love to photograph in the summer as it is the longest amount of daylight for the pictures and this allows me to use the natural light to photograph with making my pictures much more natural and not look so set up.[8D][8D]
Stay safe, support your local hobby group Stop, Look, and listen The key to living is to wake up. you don't wake up you are probably dead.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: NW Chicago
  • 591 posts
Posted by techguy57 on Thursday, October 9, 2003 4:37 PM
Winter in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, Spring in Middle to southern Illinois(everything is naerly as green as Ireland), and fall in Southern Indiana and Ohio( the views are spectacular). I'm hoping to get some pics this fall of the Indiana RR crossing the Tulip trestle. Hopefully I'll get down there. If so I'll be sure to post.

Mike
techguy "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick it once and you suck forever." - Anonymous
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Memory Lane, on the sunny side of the street.
  • 737 posts
Posted by ironhorseman on Thursday, October 9, 2003 1:53 PM
Winter time. Even I'm a little surprised at my own choice. Last Christmas I headed out on my bicycle into a snowy Kansas countryside and I have to tell you I was quite pleased with the results of my photos. I've heard it before, people tell me I'm crazy for biking in the snow but if you dress right and are in good physical condition it's a lot of fun (although it washes the grease and oil off the gears, but it's worth it.)

I like the sunny days and snow covered countryside because of the stark contrast between the white land and the blue sky and the colorful trains. Out in the country you feel more alone than in the summer because the snow completely covers up everything that it becomes desolate out there. I also like the way the trains kick up a cloud of snow as they speed by at 60mph.

You can see some examples of my winter pictures at www.kansaspacific.mysitespace.com/railfan.html (scroll to winter photos section)

Can't wait for that next snow fall.

yad sdrawkcab s'ti

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Whitby, ON
  • 2,594 posts
Posted by CP5415 on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 10:22 PM
The fall, winter or early spring is good for me.

Gordon

Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!

 K1a - all the way

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
Posted by zardoz on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 9:55 AM
Brian7 - congrats on your first post!!
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NW Ohio
  • 37 posts
Posted by gwjordan1950 on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 10:40 PM
My first would be spring. The trees coming out into bud and depends where your at,the wild flowers are out. The best about it is NO BUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fall is my second favorite. Your browns and reds give the picture a whole different look and quality in the back ground. Everone have a Great Fall!!
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • 655 posts
Posted by Mikeygaw on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 9:07 PM
I'd have to say fall 'cause of all them purty colors, and winter with snow on the ground because I just happened to like pics of trains running in snow
Conrail Forever!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 6, 2003 6:24 PM
the summer time because of the extra day light hrs
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 6, 2003 10:28 AM
Even though I voted for Spring, I think depending upon where you are, any time of year is great for photo opportunities for photographing trains in action.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 5, 2003 9:46 PM
I would have to say it's a close one, but summer comes out on top of my list. I like that all the leaves are on the trees (though they are not as nice as they are in the fall), and the fact that you can go railfanning almost anytime. The days are long, and the sun is usually shining (although this year it wasn't shining enough here in southeastern Pennsylvania). The high sun angle gives good opportunities, and the abundance of leaves always gives a nice background. [8D]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 5, 2003 8:58 PM
Summer is best..! No extra clothing needed...no dew or frost to slip and slid on.
Camera and/or film doesn't need to be kept warm.
Most steam engines are off duty after mid-September.
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: Kansas City area
  • 833 posts
Posted by Trainnut484 on Sunday, October 5, 2003 12:36 PM
I prefer Spring and Fall as my favorite photo seasons. Spring brings new growth, and refreshes nature from hibernation. Fall, of course, is the most colorful. For Winter shots, Christmas and New Years are my choices. Summer would be my least favorite because of the haziness and humidity. Also, it's too hot to sit at trackside waiting for a picture.

Take care[:)]

Russell
All the Way!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 5, 2003 11:00 AM
nothing like the early winter moring, the train pulling out of the yard, the steam rising from the heat, bright sun coming up....
  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: Detroit, Michigan
  • 20 posts
Posted by LehighVic on Sunday, October 5, 2003 9:45 AM
I dunno; of course all the seasons are approprite for RR photography. But the snow of winter accentuates all the lines, shapes and forms of a wonderful RR subject. And ya' know? I never feel cold staring through the viewfinder!
Lehigh Vic
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 4, 2003 9:46 PM
Maybe just a personal preference but fall does have the colors and sharpness in the air that seem to make a person take a deep breath and enjoy the view, specially if there's a train in the picture
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 4, 2003 3:07 PM
Wow, in all my 500 posts i have never seen a weird post about photography, and also the Timing is questionable. Seems like afew pwople posted how they REALLY felt about trains magazine, and the poll was removed and replaced with a poll that could cause no confrontation whatsoever. Kinda like pulling a "CNN" speacial, only displaying what you want the people to see? Pretty bad. I still got no offical acknowlegement, of accounting of why trains magazine costs 55 Bucks Canadian a year. When i get an acounting, i might subscribe, until then, i'm not a sucker when it comes to spending money... and like someone else said.. "Trying to beocme millionaires overnight?"

Judging by that shirt in your picture, i bet thats at leats 1% of my subscription funds right there!

And for this very bizzare question, (note it's not the question thats weird, it's more the timing) Winter is the best time of RR photography.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 4, 2003 11:53 AM
FALL FALL FALL FALL. Ahh [:)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 4, 2003 10:54 AM
Any time but I think Fall is best. Lower humidity makes for clear air and sharp pics.Also something to be said for the color.
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 23 posts
Posted by nkp779 on Saturday, October 4, 2003 7:37 AM
I don't think it matters. Each season provides a uniqice oportunity for some intresting pictures no matter where you live or are railfaning. You just have to brave the elements when it is bad out like in the winter.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 13 posts
Posted by UpNorthBob on Saturday, October 4, 2003 6:22 AM
Fall is awesome because of the cooler air, colors, etc. It's especially nice here in northern lower Michigan. (usually - this year has been all rain.) But I personally like early spring. While it's true that there is not much color, I think this time of year has many positives. First, I'm itching to get outside after a long winter. The humidity and bugs are not around yet. But most of all, the grass has not started growing, and the leaves are not yet on the trees. This makes it easy to spot and photograph the abandoned rights-of-way and old logging roads that I like to include in many of my train pictures. In the summer, they are covered up by the foliage.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 4, 2003 2:04 AM
All seasons really. Every season has its pros
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 4, 2003 1:40 AM
I perfer the Fall as the colors of the surrounding hills and valleys where I shoot in Montana and in the state of Washington for some of the business that print my photos for their promotional material, most of my connections perfer the fall.
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: US
  • 34 posts
Posted by holland on Saturday, October 4, 2003 12:38 AM
Fall in great u.p of michigan the colors are great
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 4, 2003 12:31 AM
Fall is a must. The color of everything from clouds in the sky to leaves on the trees and even water in the lakes, and don't forget the locomotive colors. Pick the right subjects and right locations and you have the best combination that can be had.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 3, 2003 7:52 PM
Why is anytime not a choice. Seems to me anytime a train or railroad subject is around, it is the best time for a photo opportunity.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 3, 2003 7:50 PM
Whatever the season, we're all after good photographs. A skillful photographer can take whatever the season or moment gives him (or her), and create an impressive image. But fall, with all of the colors and frequently noteworthy skies, just makes it so much easier!

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy