I believe that Todd Clark's comments on "Why do we take train
pictures" are very valid. It is not sacrilege to use modern techniques and
equipment to enhance what was done in years past. It may have been great
when done, given the material available at the time. But new equipment and
techniques can enhance the old in ways not possible when originally done.
You don't have to drive a Model T or A to appreciate the old. Why would you
want to? They don't meet today's needs.
B/W was great in its day and there are still many good things to
appreciate about the old style. But today's needs call for color. That is
why the magazine and book publishers are now doing full color publication.
It is what the general public requires.
I know Ted Turner has been getting blasphemized for coloring old b/w
films, but he wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't appreciated or making money.
At the same time, his process does not destroy the original film. It is
still there, all but deteriorating. But his process does require saving the
original film in a fresh new form before the colorization work can begin.
So he is indirectly saving the original.
I am not knocking b/w film here. Without it were would such
wonderful films like the "Wizard of Oz" be? It is one of the best uses of
both b/w and color film ever done. The use of both mediums adds inpact. In
addition, the use of B/w film can add a feeling of nostalgia like some of
Woody Alan's films shot in B/W. It has its place. But so does color.
As for myself, I shoot train pictures because I am able to mix two
interests of mine, photography and trains. But more importantly, I have a
source of being able to show my work to others. How many train
photographers, take pictures but don't show them to anyone? Not very many,
unless they are too intimidated by others work to show their's.
The one thing I have noticed about railroad photographers, which has
been reinforced by the bevy of questions and comments that are posted to
SPORRS is that railroad photographers seem to be more interested in good
equipment than in good technique. Just look through all of the postings to
SPORRS! 90% of the postings have to do with either equipment or location.
9% of the other comments seem to be criticism of one thing or another. That
only leaves 1% to cover anything else like techniques. Why is this?
I realise that it is difficult to discuss composition without the
use of pictures to demonstrate the point. But it can be done by discussing
the some of the latest images either available through Web sites or one of
the latest publications of the RR press. Unfortunately, until such time as
the railroad photographers begin to approach the subject in an artistic
manner, the 3/4 wedgy will predominate along with the latest location of the
new paint scheme on 740. This last comment is not an attack on anyone. I
am guilty of falling into the same routine. It is hard to overcome, because
we all have a tendency to emmulate what we see. And there appears to be
much more emphasis on documenting history than creating a work of art.
Another proof of this point is to look at how many railfans showed
up on Tennessee Pass this past spring or more accurately in June to shoot
the 844. Were these thousands of railfans interested in creating beautiful
works of art or just documenting history by getting pictures of the last run
of 844 or any other train over the pass?
It is a mind set that only a few photographers have managed to
overcome!!!!
Charlie
--> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects
