Further to the previous posts about the Nat'l Geographic article and challenging your photographic ideas.
Having lived in the flatlands of Canada's prairies for more than half my life, I can assure you that it can be quite brain-numbing to simply go to the next level crossing and get a shot there. Too often, I have caught myself doing just that and asked myself why. There is indeed scenery around the Prairies, but quite often, like in the mountains, there isn't a road anywhere close. So why not work at it a bit to get that unique shot? In the past couple years, when I have time, I try to find new angles in familiar places, either at home or further afield. I usually start these searches with a perusal of a topographical map, then check it out in the field. I find that it's best to start with a 1:250,000 scale map for most areas, then go down to 1:50,000 when deemed necessary. I usually make photocopies for field use to make notes on. There have been days where I have hiked (or sometimes used the mountain bike - that LowePro Mini Trekker camera bag of mine is great for that - now I just need a rack on the bike for my tripod!) to go to what I think to be a promising spot to spend several hours waiting for a train to show up. When one doesn't, it isn't a loss in my mind if I have found a potential spot for another day. The other thing that I watch for, whether it be in slide shows, or published, is shots from areas that I am familiar with but can't quite figure out where that actual shot was taken. One that's driving me a little nuts right now is a shot I saw in an obscure book of Canadian railroad photographs that claims to be at a certain location on CN in Jasper National Park. Now, I don't claim to have the CN totally staked out through the Park (yet!), however, this photograph's location is not familiar to me, even though I think it should be, given the caption info. Guess what I'll be searching for the next trip out there? Another challenge is getting mother nature to co-operate with the right lighting conditions. About two years ago, I found an angle to get a backlit, sunset shot of VIA's "Canadian" on a bridge a couple miles from home. This shot is only possible for about six weeks of the year in mid-summer. I have some fine shots there but the "perfect" shot that I see in my mind hasn't yet occurred.... so I keep going back. Many times now, I just watch the train go by, cause the lighting I want isn't there. It's all in what we perceive as a challenge, really. For me, the places I haven't found yet are becoming much more interesting. Yes, it can be frustrating to go somewhere and come back empty-handed. But I look at it this way... I've been to Railfan Rock before, as have many others. I have more pictures there than I will ever need. It's time to find something new. Jim --- James / Kathleen Brock --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Opinions dictated to us by Sasha da'Bird and Ivan & Anna Bunny!! "Extra 9000 West at Red Pass, clear signal, north track, out" -> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs
