Ed Stabler Wrote:
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> 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
Okay, I think I see what your point is, but we basically like the same thing, except you are somewhat against the heavy smoke, and steam obscuring the engine for detail. I can see that. Having seen lots of steam over the years here and overseas, the cold steam effects are very dramatic, but usually lesson as the day wears on and temperatures climb.
The low light of morning and cold were something you strived for in places like South Africa, cause you rarely got them in the USA during the 70's and 80's, cause most excursion ops were in the heat of the summer. During warm times steam can be less dramatic with little stack exhaust and lousy high sun. With cold brings out white steam exhaust if nothing else, and yes shows the fireman is doing his job, yet still looks quite dramatic while we enjoy the billowing plumes.
Just yesterday we uploaded a new release for the fall. Its not even on the website yet, but its on youtube. Check this out and you can see why we liked this place. I edited this, but my brother Randy shot it all. Greg
