-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
thanks chris. and would you believe that it got even better yesterday?
Yessir, the mighty UP 1995 spent the whole day in Altoona yesterday. So I sat admiring him for about 2 hours or so. As much time as I could spare.
Here's another with the depot. I must admit those green and yellow signs match nicely with 1995.
Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.
Good Afternoon All,
Tim, sorry about my slow reply. Looks like you'll be able to get some good shots with the new camera. In addition to what Larry said, I think I also would have either panned to the left a little bit or shot the train a little earlier. It would have given the train some space to work into. As it is, it seems like it's about to exit the frame, so it doesn't really draw the viewer into the shot. Still, I like it, and Highlands has become one of my favorite places to shoot on the Race Track since Carl took me there a few years ago.
Max, it's always good to see your new stuff. I'm so glad that things have gotten busier for you and you're able to enjoy yourself more.
Well, I must get back to work. Catch you all later!
....Believe you're about to move out on that vacation Carl. And over to the state of Pennsylvania to enjoy some of their good RR "Stuff".....There is lots of it to absorb in the area you are headed. Enjoy.
Lord willing, we'll be there starting the 24th.
Quentin
Happy Mother's Day to everyone on the Forum to whom motherhood is personal!
And to those who are not or never have been mothers, it is presumed that you have had one--do something special for her, even if it can only be a special fond memory.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
The photos just keep on coming! All the action I've been getting up here and at the perfect times. You can't NOT photograph it!
And look at all those EMDs! Sorry about the light. morning shots'll kill ya like that. Otherwise the shot would've been perfect
and here's another shot i took the day before:
Looks like we're getting crash 9s up here too now. It's about time! I hardly have any in my roster.Those SD40-2s are the same ones I saw out East before. Looks like they got moved.
ok i know this next shot is , but i just HAVE to explain it!
Anyone who knows me well enough knows my favorite restaurant is Little Caesars. in the year 2001, our local LC tragically closed down. I was devastated. Eau Claire suffered 8 hard gruelling pizza-less years until now. Yes. we are FINALLY getting Little Caesars back after so long!
Can anything NOT be going my way these days? So much good happening so fast!
Ah, constructive criticism always helps, Larry, don't worry about it. I tried to angle down just a bit to reposition the headlight (I always keep the "Thirds grid" up in my viewfinder) but, I wound up with too much platform, and I wanted to keep the Western Springs water tower out of the photo, although, in restrospect, I should have moved over some more and got the top of the tower. It's not one of my strongest shots, but it's the only one that turned out good enough. Thanks for the advice!
Carl... I am Highlands looking east. I always call Highlands the "Hinsdale Station" for some stupid reason, even though I know that "Hinsdale" is the downtown station.
CShaveRR wrote: If I understand you correctly, Larry, you'd be positioning the engine differently if the headlight were above the windows?
It's not so much the headlight that needs to go at the intersection as it is the focal point of the picture, or whatever draws your eye - very often the headlight. In this particular picture, the headlight would do nicely as it would help balance the rest of the picture.
Another "third line" landmark is the horizon or other significant horizontal line. If it's prominent, consider putting it on the top or bottom third line. The same can be said for a strong vertical element, say, a semaphore. So if you're shooting a train approaching a signal out on the plains, you might put the signal on one of the vertical third lines, and the horizon on one of the horizontal third lines. With proper timing, the train itself will be nicely framed and you'll have a keeper.
The "third line" rule certainly isn't hard and fast, but if you look at pictures that please your eye, then consider the rule, you'll find that such pictures often comply. It can also have a very nice effect on portraits, and even "vacation snapshots." People tend to put the prominent point of the picture (your head, for instance) dead center.
A nice thing about the multi-megapixel cameras that are available now is that you can re-frame your shot somewhat without losing much.
I certainly don't want anyone to think I'm criticizing their pictures in the negative sense. I'm just sharing what is probably the single best advice I got out of the photography courses I took some years ago.
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...
Tim, I'm a little confused--we must be looking west from the Hinsdale platform, right? Or is this West Hinsdale, looking east? I'm missing the overhead bridge if you were looking toward Highlands. (I've been to Highlands by myself and with Chris, and to Cosi...I mean, Hinsdale with Pat.)
If I understand you correctly, Larry, you'd be positioning the engine differently if the headlight were above the windows?
Tim - Nice shot.
A little composition coaching - put the headlight at the intersection of the left and top "third lines." Tends to make the overall picture a little more pleasing to the eye.
Dan
Had the new camera out the other day. I was using the "Super Macro Mode" for a little bit, taking extreme closeups of flowers, and what not. (yeah, I know....) Anyway, I ventured over to Hinsdale briefly and caught a couple of trains. I wanted to use the 18x optical zoom, to see how the photos would turn out. Whaddya think?
CShaveRR wrote: locomutt wrote: CShaveRR wrote:Our best wishes to Paula for a speedy diagnosis and recovery--the Cafe needs you! Thank You Carl, she should get "sprung" around Noon today. No operation suggests changes coming (and a need to adhere to) medication and/or diet. Gonna need armed guards at the cafe. Proper medication, taken properly, can do wonders.
locomutt wrote: CShaveRR wrote:Our best wishes to Paula for a speedy diagnosis and recovery--the Cafe needs you! Thank You Carl, she should get "sprung" around Noon today.
CShaveRR wrote:Our best wishes to Paula for a speedy diagnosis and recovery--the Cafe needs you!
Thank You Carl, she should get "sprung" around Noon today.
No operation suggests changes coming (and a need to adhere to) medication and/or diet. Gonna need armed guards at the cafe. Proper medication, taken properly, can do wonders.
Actually, diets have been adhered to for several years around here. It really is hard to
find Sodium around here unless it's on the steps and sidewalk when it snows.
She does however, have several more Meds. to take now.
The "Armed Guards" may be necessary for me and a few others, so we can actually get some food! (that has any taste!)
Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!
thanks guys. It's like i said. No ex-CNWs, no problem. now that this area has moved on, so can I. I even promised i would in one of my whiner topics some many months back.
yessir i really hope this new style in Altoona becomes the norm. It's a thrill to see motive power out there in the afternoon. I've stood up on the east overpass when the train went under me and WOW. i encourage anyone visiting the area to try that. It's a real rush. And hopefully now that trains are showing up in the daytime, I'll get more chances.
yeah Dan, i have a utility pack on my bike too. problem is i'm not sure if it will hold a big tripod like the $30.00 one i want to get. i'm picturing how long it would be after folding it up. and it still would be considerably long. or so i think. i need to take another look at it. my tiny one just doesn't get the job done anymore.
i can't wait to shoot the night time action!
I'll echo what Chris said Max. I have 'fanned and taken a tripod with me on a bike. I've used a backpack and also attached it to the rear cargo carrier on my mountain bike.
Glad you're enjoying the hobby again!
Max,
Nice camera.
A tripod is a good idea for several reasons (even the best Image Stabilizing systems can't beat a sturdy tripod for maximum sharpness), but it could be hard to carry on a bike. If you can't carry a tripod with you, try to find a line that you know is horizontal or vertical and use it as a reference while composing your shot.
There probably is a way to correct the horizon in your program, but I've never used it so I can't tell you how to go about it.
oh yes. Especially with this much action in Altoona during the day. Now THIS is change i can get used to!
As for my camera? i can do better than just tell you the name of the camera. Here's flickr's info page about it. http://www.flickr.com/cameras/sony/dsc-w70/It's on lease to me from my mom after my old one broke. My old camera was a Canon powershot A40 with 2 megapixels. this new one has 8 and takes pictures much faster!
Railpictures said the same thing about the horizon. I guess I need a tripod. Though carrying one on my bike is the tricky part.
Is there a way to fix the horizon on Irfanview? that's the editor i use because i'm too cheap to buy photoshop
Those are some nice shots. It's good to see you getting out and enjoying the hobby.
A couple suggestions on the pictures:
BTW, what kind of camera did you get?
Since everyone's getting new cameras, I might have to start thinking about one, too. That new Pentax K20D is looking mighty appetizing!
Well Sunday was quite an adventure in Altoona. I biked up there for the first time this year and found some nice power sitting around in the yard. It was a warm spring day with a few clouds in the sky and i was armed with my powerful new camera. Not to mention none of the motive power was ex-CNW. So I decided it was time to really give it my all and bring fourth some perfect flawless pictures. Here then are the results:
Up first we have UP 4019, 4039, and 4038 sitting offline in front of the yard office. My guess is this is the LTS61. I waited until the clouds moved enough for the sun to shine through again, then snapped the shot. This photo is of the consist with the rule of thirds applied, also displaying the yard office.
And one without.
Out east, 2 SD40-2s, UP 3566 and UP 3198, also sat offline on one of the sidings. Nothing is approaching in the distance and the signal is green. Like the shot above, this was also taken with the rule of thirds and shows the tracks that continue out East.
And, again, one without.
So I need some feedback. Which looks better? with or without the rule of thirds?
Just my face and the thin spot opposite it--I was wearing long pants and long sleeves. Doesn't hurt as much as it makes me tired, for whatever reason.
(It has its upsides, though--pink is my elder granddaughter's favorite color, so I told her I did it for her. That sweetheart put some green candies on her ice cream sundae just for me.)
Pat has very pink arms after yesterday's time out, and is hurting a bit more than I.
I'll add another layer of sunscreen before biking to and from the dentist tomorrow. Dentist is in Elmhurst, so I'll get in a little more train-watching before the rain moves in.
Thanks Carl... I am celebrating the 13th anniversary of my 29th birthday tonight.... LOL. I got a Fuji S8000fd. I actually did have time to get out and get a couple of BNSF photos today, but I have to wait until tomorrow to post them. The camera has a bit of a steeper learning curve than my first one, but it's a good camera with a bunch of good features, especially the 18x zoom.....
So, you got yourself a nice shade of "lobster red"??? Ouch, that could sting....
Congratulations, Tim, on both birthday and camera! We'll be looking forward to seeing what you're capable of doing with it!
Things were red-hot on the UP yesterday, during the arts and crafts fair in Lombard. Trains often showed up in pairs, and I quickly lost count. Pat and I were manning the table for the Lombard Historical Society for several hours, so plenty went by. Even more red-hot than the UP was yours truly, who suffered color-altering sunburn.
CShaveRR wrote: Well, it took 'em long enough to get the 2001 beyond Butler! I forgot how long ago I mentioned that one.Today, UP 3300 (the United Way SD40-2) left here on one of the Butler trains. Maybe you'll see that one next week.
Well, it took 'em long enough to get the 2001 beyond Butler! I forgot how long ago I mentioned that one.
Today, UP 3300 (the United Way SD40-2) left here on one of the Butler trains. Maybe you'll see that one next week.
I saw 3300 on an eastbound freight on the IHB last night about 1830 or so. I'll post the photos.
Also, photos forthcoming from my new camera, as soon as I can get out and shoot some. (It figures, get the new camera for my birthday, and scheduling and weather are going to prevent me from getting out before Thursday..... oh well)
Modelcar wrote: .....What's the maximum grade on the line you fellows run Larry...?By the way, from your photos....the line seems to be well ballasted.
.....What's the maximum grade on the line you fellows run Larry...?
By the way, from your photos....the line seems to be well ballasted.
I don't have the track charts with me, but...
Our regular local run includes a very short stretch of a little over 1%, and there's a slightly steeper section just south of where our local stops. To the north, in a section we aren't using right now, is a stretch of 2%, I believe. And lots of curves.
Big Moose, about MP H69, was the highest point on the New York Central, at 2035' above sea level.
Our track is good for 40 mph from Snow Junction (on the MA&N) to Thendara. North of Thendara is a wobbly 15 mph, but the curves are still superelevated. NYC ran upwards of 60 at some points on the line.
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