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Railway Photography by Brian Solomon and John Gruber Dust Jacket 2003 159 Pages
Railway Photography by Brian Solomon and John Gruber Dust Jacket 2003 159 Pages
A wise photographer once said, "f8 and be there." You can think about photography and you can read about railways, but unless you're out there, camera in hand and ready, you won't make railway photographs. Making good photos involves combining a variety of skills at the right moment to capture what you see.
But before you can capture what you see, you must see it. What do you see when you watch the railway?
Tracks. Trains. Locomotives. People. Bridges. Tunnels. Stations. Signals. Scenery. All are elements of the railway-but don't forget motion. Railways are all about motion. Trains are big, fascinating, moving machines. They make the railway what it is. They are compelling, enthralling, and inspiring.
Isn't motion what makes us want to capture railways on film? Don't we want to preserve the thrill of watching a massive train pass? Don't we want to savor the moment, share it with others, and preserve it for posterity?
Yet motion is what makes railway photography difficult. How can you convey the power and thrill of motion in a still photo? Do you try to stop the action or work with it? Do you impart motion or ignore it? If you show motion, how can you preserve clarity?
Should you focus on the machinery and ignore what it does? Will you let the railway roll through the landscape or become the landscape? These are some of the challenges facing a railway photographer.
Any photographer's success depends on the quality of the photos as much as on the subject portrayed. Subject alone cannot make a great photo. Look at your photos. Do they impart what you hoped they would? Do they capture the essence of the railway? How could you do better?
Keys to making better railway photos are your keen observation of the railroad and lighting. Look carefully before you snap. Know what you are looking at. Understand it, anticipate, and react.
Another key is to know your tools. Be comfortable with your equipment. Learn to make it work for you and be ready to use it at the right moment.
Your tools are your cameras, lenses, tripods, and film. But light is your most important tool. Light makes photography work. How you use light can define your photography. Mastering the use of light can be one of the most short-lived and challenging aspects of railway photography.
Unlike studio photographers, railway photographers usually don't have direct control over their light sources. While the sun rises and sets predictably, weather changes the quality of sunlight, and weather is uncertain.
The railway photographer needs to anticipate the quality of light and work with ever-changing lighting situations. Learning to use light helps you master one of your most powerful tools. Fail to work with light effectively, and you will squander your opportunity. If you make a brilliant photograph in adverse conditions, you have made the most of a difficult situation.
Remember, no photographer executes every shot perfectly, but good photographers learn from their failures. Today's missed shot could result in tomorrow's success.
The intent of this book is to inspire you. We want to help you hone your observations, refine your photographic skills, master your tools, and make better railway photographs. We do this by suggestions, instructions, and examples. Ultimately how you achieve your goals is up to you.
There is no right or wrong in photographic technique, provided you are happy with your results. The tools you use, the places you photograph, and the subjects you capture are all up to you. Beware of narrow-minded dogma that demands convention, discourages creativity, or proposes to impose gratuitous structure on your photography. Rules are for the lazy-techniques are for the creative. Do what you feel works best for you and enjoy yourself.
All pictures are of the actual item. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
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