It is interesting to note the difference in dress between the drivers of the Graham Farish and the NS freight Y'all appear to have some very professional looking drivers in the UK
Post privatisation most (all?) traincrew/customer service folk have got very smart uniforms specific to the company they work for. I would think that's Virgin Train's corporate workwear you're seeing there. They have a nice red jacket to go with the tie as well But it was a warm day (despite those clouds.) Glad you enjoyed.
Martyn, Your point about having a sense of scale and a more dynamic picture when people are included in a picture is very important. In other fora (on other sites) where I critique photos, I have often made this point. Although the photography aspect should probably be discussed in detail on the Photography and Trains forum, I will add one point. To avoid the "touristy" look, try to have your people look at your main subject, or be doing something. Standing stiffly and staring into the camera always seems awkward to me. Keep those pictures coming. [ 11. January 2004, 14:23: Message edited by: Peirce ]
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> Although the photography aspect should probably be discussed in detail on the Photography and Trains forum, I will add one point. To avoid the "touristy" look, try to have your people look at your main subject, or be doing something. Standing stiffly and staring into the camera always seems awkward to me. <hr></blockquote> Guess you're talking about the Paignton pic mainly, the chap had just spoken to the signalman & was walking back to his cab & noticed me taking the pic as I took it & reacted......a little unfortunate but it happens.
Martyn, I wasn't trying to pick on any one picture. I just wanted to emphasize this point for any newcomers to photographing the railroad scene. The pictures from you and everyone else here are excellent and, I believe, go to the heart of railroading.
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that, it's just something that had bothered me a little about that pic.
First time trying to post a photo on here, but here goes. Not to toot my own horn, but here I am with my favorite part of the job.
Always great climbing signals on a nice day not real good though in heavy rain or frost lol. The other week I was investigating a SPAD (Signal passed at danger) and whislt I was in a cage of a signal gantry I was climbing out of the cage to the top of the gantry. My mobile phone was clipped to my belt well my arm brushed the phone and it fell of my belt through the signal cage and hit the tracks below. The phone stayed in one piece (Nokia 5110) but it never recovered, oh well i now have a 6210 Nokia so I'm not complaining hehehehe
I usually don't take pics with people in them (If I can avoid it) but here is my contribution: <center>"Waiting to Throw the Switch"</center> Russ Hoffman Valley RR (N-scale) [ 19 November 2001: Message edited by: rush2ny ]</p>
Good picture, Russ. I believe it is better with the person in it because it gives you a sense of scale. Somehow it also seems to emphasize the power of the locomotive.
Peirce, I am going to have to agree with you on that. After browsing the pictures in this forum I now realize that I have been missing out on some great pics by trying to get only the object of the picture into it, ie: locomotives,etc. While I will not refrain from isolated photos of equipment in the future (These are great for roster archives) I will be trying to make them more "lively". (Moving my photography into a new direction if you will) My only question to you then would be this: have you or anyone else on this board encountered any problems taking pics with people in it, like persons who just didn't want their mug's in print? I almost always ask permission when taking pics on property other than my own, but would like to avoid any situations where I may upset someone. Thanks! Russ Hoffman Valley RR
I have never had any problems including people in my pictures. There are a few guidelines you can follow to avoid problems. Never use any of the pictures commercially. Use only those pictures that show the people in a positive and complementry fashion. Show the people doing something. They should never look posed. Make them aware you are taking pictures. However, obtaining specific permission is not manditory. Offer them copies of the pictures, or give them access to them on the web. Web access saves you a bundle of money for reprints. Actually, when you boil it all down, common sense and good taste should prevail. [ 11. January 2004, 14:01: Message edited by: Peirce ]
I believe I have completed the link repairs for my pictures in this thread. If I have missed any, please let me know
As important as it is to recognize the people who keep the trains running, we must also recognize those keeping the memory of bygone days alive. Such is the case with Peter Cornwall. L. Peter Cornwall is an historian, author and photographer. This is at the opening of an exhibition of his photographs taken of New England Railroads in the 1930s. The exibition opened at the Danbury Railway Museum on February 17, 2002 and will ran until late summer, 2002.
We were returning to London on the Eurostar when it stopped to await a clear track into Waterloo station. I spotted the track workers on the job in spite of the rainy weather. This picture was taken through the window of our coach. [ 11. January 2004, 14:11: Message edited by: Peirce ]
Thanks Pierce. With the state of some of our infrastructure, there are plenty of track workers to be seen these days!
Here are a couple of pictures closer to home. This crew is working on the Metro North track near the Danbury Railway Museum. Replacing spikes the old fashioned way. Here, old spikes are being pulled out. New spikes are being driven in, about the same way as 100 years ago. No fancy equipment on this job. [ 11. January 2004, 14:18: Message edited by: Peirce ]
