Oh goody - time for my "rule of thirds" dissertation! (Those of you who have heard it before may skip this post...)
Justin -
One really simple rule that can significantly improve your pictures is known as the "rule of thirds."
Perhaps the best way to explain it is with a little exercise. Find a picture you find pleasing to the eye and print it off on plain paper.
On the picture draw four lines, two vertical, two horizontal, that divide the picture into thirds. You should end up with a "tic-tac-toe" board. Don't add any X's or O's!
The key to using the rule of thirds is to orient your focal points using those lines. Your primary focal point should be on one of the four intersections. Your horizon should be on one of the horizontal lines, and any strong vertical features should go on one of the vertical lines. Odds are that the picture you choose will exhibit one or more of these factors.
Of course, there will be variations. Still trying to hit one or more of those focal points/lines will turn a snapshot into a portrait.
Most people instinctively put the focal point of their picture (say, the headlight) dead center. Sometimes that's appropriate. More often, though, it's not.
Looking at the two pictures above, "NS at Speed" has the track about on the bottom third line, while the vertical portion of the signal structure is about on the right hand third line.
"Lighting the snow" has the headlight about on the top third line, with the beam headed for the intersection between the top and right third lines. The power pole is on the right third line.
Some cameras have the lines in the viewfinder.
As has already been stated - the most important piece of equipment is the person behind the camera. Take a moment to compose your picture before you press the shutter button. Tipping or turning the camera just a bit may be all it takes to turn a good picture into a great one.
Remember, too, that you are shooting digital. Electrons cost next to nothing - take lots of pictures!
Edit: Chris - a 70-300 is probably what I'll be looking into. I already have a tripod.
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...
Larry - Zoom lenses really aren't that bad anymore. In fact, some are very, VERY good. Nikon's 14-24mm f2.8 blows away anything (including expensive primes) in that range. There are some really good options for you in Canonland in the telezoom arena, too.
I used to have a 70-200mm f4L that constantly impressed me with what it could do. There's even an Image Stabilized version of that lens now (though it's a bit expensive). The 70-300mm IS lens is worlds better than the old 75-300mm IS lens, too. The 300mm end works out to a 480mm equivalency in 35mm terms, so it'll give you a fairly healthy bit of reach.
Dan - Excellent posts illustrating my point. How did I miss NS at Speed? That's a great shot!
-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
CopCarSS bubbajustinYoure welcome. Better than anything I could take with my cheapy ol' camra. Kodak Easy Share V803. I wish i had a better camara. A faster and clearer shutter. It's an 8.0 mega pixel. Justin - While photographic equipment can certainly help, it's definately not the most important piece of equipment you have in the field. That's the operator behind the camera. Learn the rules of photography now, and when you have the money to improve your kit, you'll be able to take advantage of it that much more.
bubbajustinYoure welcome. Better than anything I could take with my cheapy ol' camra. Kodak Easy Share V803. I wish i had a better camara. A faster and clearer shutter. It's an 8.0 mega pixel.
Justin - While photographic equipment can certainly help, it's definately not the most important piece of equipment you have in the field. That's the operator behind the camera. Learn the rules of photography now, and when you have the money to improve your kit, you'll be able to take advantage of it that much more.
I'll echo what Chris said and offer some proof (if I may). The following shots (while I may not say they are 'wallhangers') are decent IMO. They were taken with an Olympus D540 Zoom that's 3.2 megapixel. I used a tripod (helps at night!) but practiced until I got the 'hang' of things.NS at SpeedLighting the Snow
Currently I shoot with a Canon A590IS that's 8 megapixels. I have taken lousy shots with the 'better' camera. Get out there, practice, and read on the subject. You'll surprise yourself! Don't be afraid to ask questions either. I know I've learned from asking folks like CopCar and others.
Dan
CopCarSSWhat sort of lens are you looking for?
Haven't really put any serious thought into it yet. As "bad" as zoom lenses are, I think I'd like something that will get me some medium to long shots. The lens I have on the Rebel now gets me something like a conventional 30-70mm range (the Rebel has a smaller sensor, so the lenses have non-conventional focal lengths).
We'll see.
Deggestygreatly superior to Medicare Part B)--and no Medicare Part B
Johnny.....With a good "gap" insurance along with Medicare A and B....the end result is pretty good. I believe anyone using Med. A and B, it is normal to secure a gap ins. to work with it.
Quentin
CShaveRRbut thank Goodness Railroad Retirement will support us fairly well.
Yes, Carl, from what I know about Railroad Retirement, it is greatly superior to Social Insecurity. As I understand it, none of it is taxable, so you will not have to work through a complicated formula every year when you file your 1040 (at least, so far, the formula itself does not change from year to year). My father worked under Railroad Retirement for less than the minmum time to be covered before he died, so my mother had no income from it--and no possible WW I veteran's benefits since he was discharged because of cardio-vascular problems less than ninety days after he went into the army. We survived, especially after my oldest brothers were able to be out on their own (all of us were able to finish college). My wife worked for the Census Bureau for several years (she never worked on the decennial censuses, but on continual, year-round censuses; she says that it is a wonderful job to be retired from) before she retired, and she went into the medical insurance which was offered her before retirement, and we still have that (greatly superior to Medicare Part B)--and no Medicare Part B. We have excellent prescription coverage, dental insurance, eye care insurance, as well as medical insurance. The last nine months (Jan.-Sept.) I worked, I was covered under her policy--which did quite well by us since right after I became covered I first had a colonoscopy, then a foot of sausage casing was removed, then I had radiation and chemotherapy--all covered at low cost to us directly.
We are grateful that I was able to convert my 401k to an annuity before the stock market began dropping, dropping, dropping. There may be increases in the payment if the stock market does well, but there will be no decrease below the initial contracted payment.
Johnny
CShaveRRMy biggest concern is finding prescription insurance for the years between retirement and when Medicare kicks in
That can be a real concern Carl.....Our company had supplied gap and prescription Ins. since we retired and this past Jan. 1st, that changed. They got out of the Ins. business and set up an account for us to draw from on a monthly basis. {To help pay premiums}. After one does attain the age to qualify for said insurance.....{Medicare Plan D}, we've been happily surprised to learn mail in 90 day type plan really saves one money.....Tier one, generics....No co payment...That's pretty good.
CShaveRRGood luck with that, Chris--getting the old BN numbers involves "scanning" the ACI labels. Fortunately, most of those ex-BN (sometimes ex-C&S) hoppers have them yet. Did I show you that at the museum in Golden a couple of years ago?
You did, but I wouldn't be able to do anything with it. I do have a little ace up my sleeve, though. If I shoot a "roster" shot of the cars, I should be able to get a crop of the ACI label for you thanks to the resolution that my K20D can deliver.
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)
......Retirement fellows.....Go for it. It will work out if you have made a good "normal" prep. We've been at it now for 15 years and we're still going....Hopefully, the economy will start working it's way back and restore some investments. That, I'm sure has effected many of us.
CopCarSSCarl - I'll keep my eyes open for some numbers and send them your way next time I'm out. I see a lot of those cars in these coal drags. CNW, MP, and DRGW seem very common in there, too.
Carl - I'll keep my eyes open for some numbers and send them your way next time I'm out. I see a lot of those cars in these coal drags. CNW, MP, and DRGW seem very common in there, too.
Cop Car,
Youre welcome. Better than anything I could take with my cheapy ol' camra. Kodak Easy Share V803. I wish i had a better camara. A faster and clearer shutter. It's an 8.0 mega pixel.
All together a nice day today. got into the lower 60's here. Went to my pastors gym for a youth groop outing. We only had a basket ball and tumble matts. Should have seen the fort I made!
I will se you all tommorow!
The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.
Brian - Between chasing trains and some housekeeping tasks, I haven't had a lot of time for post-processing. I should have some time this week though. I'll send you somet goodies later this week.
Quentin - Thanks!
Justin - Thanks for the kind words!
Chad - Thanks. I really enjoy getting out the big lenses from time to time. Alas, once summer gets here and start baking the rails, heat distortion causes too much image degradation, so I have to put the big glass away most of the time. It's good to be able to use it for the time being. I'll have your stuff in the mail this week.
Larry - Thanks for the kind words, and congrats on getting towards retirement. What sort of lens are you looking for?
MC - There's an NW2 out there? It must hide every time I'm out there because I've never seen it.
CShaveRR Larry--you wouldn't be looking toward retiring around October 16, would you? That might well be my target date, too, if I can figure out how to make things work for me.
Larry--you wouldn't be looking toward retiring around October 16, would you? That might well be my target date, too, if I can figure out how to make things work for me.
I got the estimate for December 31 - and I know I have a lot of loose ends to wrap up before I go (actually before December 15th, but I might as well stick to the end of the year). I'm pretty sure I can survive on what they'll give me (a couple of promotions ago I was living on that much). Just the savings in gasoline each week (200 miles just driving to work) will be pretty good, if I can avoid random roaming around the area.
The tough part will be avoiding using my vacation as much as possible - that lump sum will be handy.
Chris: Was the NW-2 out at Byers or hiding in the barn at the west elevator? Have not seen it in a long while.
Chris, those shots are awesome. Of course, if I were along, a train chase may have been a bit more difficult--I would have hoped you could drive along the stopped train so I could get the former BN numbers off those CTRN hoppers in there.
My thrill of the day came before work this morning, when I was rapidly overtaken by my favorite train--ZWASKP--while driving out of Lombard on my way to work. There had not been any sign of anything when I crossed the tracks, but before I got away from them, the train was in my mirrors, then there, then gone! Three units, 55 cars.
Outstanding, as always.
I'm looking at retiring at the end of the year, so another lense might have to happen before I get there and have to watch my pennies a little more closely...
Hi Chris, The #4 shot (mesa) is awsome So are the others but this one is great. As for the NN steam, the 93 is back in action but the 40 is still in need of axle work. I'm still real happy with the D60 but I am ready to upgrade to a better zoom. With the overtime I'm makeing these days that will be a near future purchase . My current mailing addy is:
1011 S. Pioche hwy, #14
Ely, Nv. 98301
Awesome shots Chris. Nice day today this Sunday aftrenoon. 61* here.
Queintion,
The next time we get up near Muncie we will have to stop in and have a bite to eat! I ate at the one at Chattanogga TN.
.........Enjoyed your morning presentation Chris.....Very nice.
Oooo! Oooo! Oooo!
Most of those (especially that 20x8) would still look great cropped to 16x9...
As far as Dale and Ed go, I get an occasional e-mail from Dale, he's been having access problems with the new Trains website, comes up real slow for him, and Ed's been around, he just posted in Willy's thread the other day.
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
Good Morning Gang!
Chad - Lovely shots as always. I really, Really, REALLY need to get out there, don't I? Is steam up and running back there now? BTW, I found a couple more manuals and odds and ends for the D60 while cleaning out my camera closet. Can you PM me your new address so I can send them your way?
Tim - Nice shot! Thanks for sharing. The Lounge seems to go through cycles, but I'll try my best to keep it open. Now that I'm not shooting basketball anymore, I've got more time to devote to railfanning and to hanging out here, so hopefully I'll be around more.
Speaking of being around, has anyone seen Dale or Ed lately?
Meanwhile, I got out yesterday morning for some railfanning. Here are my shots from the day:
I started out by Fox Junction. There was a transfer from the BNSF to the UP waiting for me that I was able to shoot with some nice morning light on downtown:
I had intended to shoot the Ski Train at this location with this light. Alas, the arrival of the Zephyr delayed that a bit. By the time the Ski Train got to this location, the light was getting pretty harsh and contrasty. Because of that, I was only able to make a B&W work:
Speaking of the Zephyr, here it is leaving Union Station:
I had a hankering to use some big glass before summer gets here and doesn't allow me that pleasure anymore. I had another meet at Mesa on the Limon Sub, so I figured shooting that hill at the east end of the siding would be cool with some big glass. Courtesy of the 300mm f2.8 and 1.4x "Cheater":
Not having too many trains to work with, I decided chasing this guy for awhile would be kind of fun. Here he is going through the curve just west of Watkins:
And here's my shot of the day. While maybe not quite as dramatic as mountain railroading, the high plains certainly have a charm all their own. Shots like this remind me that railroading can be dramatic anywhere!
When I got to Byers, I didn't have a lot of time to set up and wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I finally decided on another big tele shot, but didn't have time to set up the tripod. I put my trust in a decent shutter speed and Shake Reduction and handheld the 300mm/Cheater combo and was rewarded with this gem:
I kept chasing, but was starting to realize that high sun was kicking my butt. I finally gave up a little west of Agate, but not before I tried this shot, cropped to 8x20 "Banquet Camera" proportions (I almost bought an 8"x20" so occasionally I crop to this format):
And that's it! Comments and critiques always welcome!
CShaveRRQuentin, the local freights that I grew up with had a pair of cabooses for many years, because a different crew took the train in each direction (crews worked their way back on passenger trains), and each conductor had his own caboose. Chad, the 25 NN box cars I was talking about were built by Berwick Forge and Fabricating toward the end of the incentive per diem box car craze. NN 200-224 were beige in color, with a black logo. What made them unusual were their smooth (not ribbed) ends. I know that they went to the Mississippian Railway after a few years, but I can't tell you whether they're still there. The ones in your photos look more like museum pieces that probably stay on home rails.
Quentin, the local freights that I grew up with had a pair of cabooses for many years, because a different crew took the train in each direction (crews worked their way back on passenger trains), and each conductor had his own caboose.
Chad, the 25 NN box cars I was talking about were built by Berwick Forge and Fabricating toward the end of the incentive per diem box car craze. NN 200-224 were beige in color, with a black logo. What made them unusual were their smooth (not ribbed) ends. I know that they went to the Mississippian Railway after a few years, but I can't tell you whether they're still there. The ones in your photos look more like museum pieces that probably stay on home rails.
Interesting, When was that (not familiar with the 'incentive per diem box car craze')? Any pics? And yes the boxcars are museum pieces, along with the rest of the railroad . There is no connection with the outside world these days, well, actually there is but you would need a chainsaw to clear the weeds between the rails, and the rails are paved over at the hwy 93 crossing at Currie (about half way to the UP connection at Shafter.
There are plans to rebuild this line to support 2 proposed coalfired power plants at Cherry Creek, but because of the economic downturn one of the proposed plants has postponed construction plans. The other plans to move forward but so far I have seen little indication of any rail improvements. Although there was some work done this summer on NNs part on the line from Ely to McGill includeing rebuilding of the Club 50 crossing (hwy 93).
CShaveRR Quentin, the local freights that I grew up with had a pair of cabooses for many years, because a different crew took the train in each direction (crews worked their way back on passenger trains), and each conductor had his own caboose.
Understand of the conductors having their own caboose back in the days Carl....Just never remember seeing that in my home area back then.
Justin....We've a Cheeseburger in Paradise here in Muncie.
Carl, if you want to know just when to expect the sun to rise or set, you can check this site: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/rs-one-day the time shown on the clock at the upper right is what used to be called " Greenwich Mean Time" and then "Coordinated Universal Time." It is, of course, the time at the Prime Meridian. When you enter your location, the results are shown in your locally observed time. Sun transit is the locally observed time that the sun reaches its zenith (high noon).
Oh... that's ok Carl. It's actually my fualt. I'm a little grumpy for some reason, I probably didn't help matters. Carl, Ever heard of Cheeseburgers In Paradise? Really good!
Justin, sorry to hear about all of the yelling--at least you got to go to Lafayette, though.
My post-work day consisted of a bike ride to Elmhurst on my way home. Lunch was a blast from the past (nobody makes hamburgers like Hamburger Heaven any more!). I brought my burger to trackside, where I witnessed the passage of five trains in about an hour: one scoot in each direction, followed by three eastbound freights, a manifest, coal train, and a stack train. (It didn't take an hour to eat a burger--I also got to the hobby shop and was headed home when the last two were headed through.) Most exciting part of that was when the manifest had a Diverging Clear at Park off the center track, and as soon as he cleared the signal went to a high green for the coal train.
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