Having read some of the recent, cynical SPORRS posts, I wonder why we don't all 
hang up our cameras and tune in the next episode of "Tracks Ahead."  As for 
this comment by Jim Gilley:

To begin, I believe that shots taken today are essentially worthless.
Note my wording, worthless, meaning of no monetary value, as opposed
to useless. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people out there
taking train pictures these days. The efforts of any single
individual are irrelevant -- if you don't get a shot of this train,
somebody else will.

I could not disagree with this comment more.  Sure, there are some foamer 
cathedrals where the amount of film exposed in a month would probably stretch 
to the stars if it were connected into a single roll.  Cajon and Tehachapi come 
to mind most quickly.  On the other hand, there is a tremendous amount of 
railroading in the world that is ignored by the Trains/Rail News inspired 
hordes.  My guess is that this is probably because such locales/operations 
require some effort to get to and don't have a large perceived following, so 
information about them rarely (if ever) sees print.  So, if these areas get any 
photographic coverage, it's because some dedicated foamer made a real effort to 
get some shots.

What I really find offensive in this comment is the implied "Don't bother" 
attitude.  A great photograph will always be of value, even if only to the 
photographer that produced it.  

- greg -         

--> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects

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