Some intresting points to ponder. Dave
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At 02:47 AM 12/8/97 +0000, you wrote:
John Lucas wrote:
In my years of
>viewing railroad photography, probably the majority of the truly good work
>comes not from PRO cameras, but those of the lessor "ameteur" category.
>Yes, many of us fortunate enough to own the "high end" equipment use it,
>but many folks who own less often take superior photographs.
>
John,
There is so much truth in that statement.
while good equipment can help to take better pictures, it will not make up
for lack of training and education. In addition, the advantages of higher
quality pro versions don't really show up until such time as you want to
blow up the image beyond an 8X10 size.
Over the years, I have been repeatedly asked, "I want to be able to take
good pictures. What kind of camera should I buy?" My answer has always
been the same, "What do you want to do with the pictures?" When they say
the just want to be able to take good family and vacation pictures, I will
tell them to save the money on purchasing a camera and take some classes on
photography or art. This will teach them to "see". The most important
ingredient in taking a good picture.
Most railfan photographers have had no training in photography and/or art.
Even with the professional quality equipment, they may take technically
good shots but they usually lack something. That is why a majority of
railroad pictures are boring 3/4 wedgy coming at you kind of shots. Look
back! How many really creative railroad photographers can you think of?
If you can list more than two dozen, I will be surprised.
Now before you begin to jump on me and call me self-righteous or pompous, I
do not consider myself in the two dozen. It is just a serious hobby for me
and I can fall into the routine of shooting what is available and if need
be in the 3/4 wedgy coming at you mode. The other truly requires a
concentrated effort, time and patience. I do try to make an effort and I
can have the patience. But I rarely have the time, especially when
traveling to some distant place, to wait for the conditions to improve to
produce a truly marvelous photo. This waiting can take days if not weeks.
And as for education and training, there are many, many different ways you
can get it. From classes and seminars, to reading books about different
techniques and styles, to studying under an experienced photographer. I
know of several good self taught photographers. They had what I refer to
as the "eye". The could foresee good shots before raising the camera. But
each of them eventually ended up studying photography from one source or
another before turning pro.
But we still fall back to the subject of "seeing". How many times have you
stood on an overpass or along side the tracks among your railfanning
buddies taking pictures? Of these times, how many times have you all been
standing side by side? Why? Because you are not looking for creative
photo opportunities. You are settling for what everyone else is. Oh, you
may be using a tele lense and your buddy a wide angle. That is a
beginning. But so many times, you can move only 100 feet away and create a
picture that is totally different from everyone else's.
Of course, if you are at some famous location for the first time, by all
means get the picture that everyone else has. It is recognizable and
famous. And, there is a certain amount of self satisfaction knowing you
are at some famous location. You can then say, "Been there. Shot that!"
These famous places are famous because they make a wonderfully beautiful
photograph. But if you use your creativity, you are going to be able to
find new, different, and just as good pictures that most other people don't
have. And this will make you a leader instead of follower. One who takes
pictures apart from the rest instead of just another railfan picture.
You can take very good pictures with an intamatic or Polaroid camera.
Professional quality equipment, just allows you to do more with teh image
after you get it!
Charlie Choo Choo
-> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects
-> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs
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