Re: Poor Lighting-Much Steam

Greg, I quite agree with you that cold weather is the best time to shoot steam exhaust. I certainly didn't mean to seem critical, as the drama of smoke and steam does make for interesting pictures. I'd simply rather be able to see much more of the locomotive itself rather than it be obscurred by steam and smoke. Obviously, there is a place for both styles of pictures.

To those who wish to pay big bucks for a charter and photograph run-bys with lots of smoke and noise, I say go for it. I'd just rather see the same engine working up Cumbres on a normal day, emiting the normal amount of smoke for the job (and fireman) at hand. Same thing is true for winter photography, if steam and smoke effects are your pleasure, then go for it with no criticsm from me. I do enjoy those photos, just have different preferences.

All that said, I'm not a photographer. There are many on this board (yourself included) who have forgotten more about photography than I'll ever know. I appreciate their work regardless of the amount of smoke and steam in the picture.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Ed