The Art of Train Photography by Ken Smith

Author:Ken Smith [Smith, Ken]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-10-29T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5

GOING OUT in the FIELD

STEAM TRAINS verses DIESEL TRAINS

WHAT TRAIN REALLY IS BETTER TO PHOTOGRAPH?

There is something magical about a steam locomotive. That huge towering pillar of black smoke gives that sense of movement. The mental image that a photograph can create in our minds of the chuffing and puffing sound, the whistle screaming and the bell ringing, can appeal to our senses in ways that diesel photographs often lack. Yet, diesel trains can create awesome images too. The key is learning what the difference is between a good photo and a great photo. Personally, I love to photograph narrow gauge steam over anything else but some of my favorite photos are also diesels. So what really is better to photograph you ask? I believe there are two answers to the question.

First, what do you love to photograph? I know it sounds easy to answer but you need to spend some time and truly decide what you really love photographing. You may love photographing anything that moves on rails and that is OK. You may have only one subject matter that really interests you. The important fact is that you know what it is and you are pursuing it.

Second, are you doing this for yourself or for money? If you are doing photography for yourself, then I believe you have your own answer. If however you are doing photography for money, in my humble experience, steam photographs out sell diesel photographs just about 20 to 1. Now that information is just from my own photograph sales but this also holds true for my No Frills Photo CDs too. Remember this goes back to what I said at the beginning of this chapter; there is something magical about a steam locomotive.

On the left, UP #844 steams it way through Nebraska on its way back Home to Cheyenne. On the right, restored PRR #5771 heads through NW Indiana on its way to Union Station in Chicago.

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