Good afternoon . . .
This is my first posting to this forum and I am very anxious to hear what you all think . . . i am a photographer based in Ogdensburg, New Jersey. I am mostly known for shooting historic locations like Eastern State Penitentiary and The 1799 Lazaretto Quarantine Faclilty, but as of late, I've found myself fascinated by shooting trains! During a recent trip out to Steamtown in Scranton, PA, I was lucky enough to capture what I think are some pretty compelling images . . . so much so that I am considering doing a book . . . but lets hear what you folks think!
Please have a look at the gallery here: www.pmkane.com/Steamtown . . . then reply with your thoughts, comments and critiques . . .
Thanks and I am looking forward to your feedback!
-pmk
Pmkane; welcome to the forum. With the passing of photographers recently there is a void now. I liked what I saw so far. Keep up the good work.
Respectfully, Jim
Y6bs evergreen in my mind
You have some nice photos there, a mix of what those familiar with steam locomotives and older style passenger cars will appreciate, and at the same time the grander scale showing the entire locomotive or train.
The trick will be to appeal to a broad audience, so you will have to find the magic balance between your processed stark images and others which may be more naturally rendered. It seems most people prefer images of trains that are context-dependent, so that would/ought to include other elements besides the extreme isolation of a crosshead. You would also want its guides, for example, shown at an angle of incidence where the light depicts them as worn and shiny. Or, so I prefer. Similarly, the surrounding engine house interior, say looking up toward rafters, or the neglected hulk beside a similiarly neglected ground throw.
I hope I am making some sense.
Crandell
Thanks so much, Jim . . .
Crandell . . .
Fantastic insight . . . thanks so much for the kind words and for steering me in the right direction . . . I'll keep them all in mind next time I am out shooting! Exactly the sort of feedback I was hoping for!!
Well, your photos are beautifully lit, well composed and framed, all superb shots. However, I'm wondering what kind of story you're trying to tell. Is it that Steamtown is laying down on the job letting some wonderful old artifacts rot away? Is it a record of an era that's gone, never to return? I'm not sure what you're trying to say here, but then I'm a little slow at times. I guess I'm used to the "best face" photos that most railfan photographers present so yours come as a little bit of a shock. They ARE good, though! By the way, your work looks a bit familiar. Don't laugh or be offended, but have you been published in "Weird New Jersey" magazine? (Which the wife and I LOVE!)
Oh, and how's things in Sussex County? We used to live in Stockholm! And welcome to the Forum, I'd like to see more of your work!
Firelock76 . . . thanks for the kind words - and yes, my work may look similar to the stuff you see in Weird New Jersey, but I've never been featured in those pages. My work is often compared to the images featured in Weird NJ, which I take as a huge complement . . . so thanks! Lots of great places to shoot here in Sussex Co . . . =]
To PMK, you're right, there's a lot of great photography sites in Sussex. Moved to Virginia 23 years ago but I still miss the Skylands. Just a beautiful, scenic place to live. Say, is the "Central" restaurant still open in Sparta? That was a great place to eat!
Too much emphasis on rack and ruin for my taste but a very innovative way of using light and color values. You definitely have a vision all your own and that seems to be what the craft of RR photography is trending towards. Have you checked out the web site of The Center for Railroad Photograpy & Art? I think you'd find it very interesting.
I like what I saw, a different perspective and use of lighting and subjects. Good luck.
Interesting use of lighting, texture and colour. Different perspectives. I like some of the images, but overall I feel kind of depressed looking at them. You definitely have a signature style. As someone else mentioned, if you are trying to tell a story, it's not quite clear what that story is (old age, decay, wasting away, gloom, etc?). If its just showing your skill, then thats fine. Just the first thoughts that occurred after viewing your pictures. Please don't take any offense. Regards.
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