Charles L. Dischinger wrote: > > Once again the group seems to have gotten away from the topic of > photography. Why does the topic of "cheese doodles", "parachute cord", or > "railfan activity" bring about more response than any photographic technique? > [snip]
Because they're more fun to talk about! :) More seriously, however, photography is NOT strictly the only aspect of railfanning. It is the experiences that one has while attempting to photograph trains. Back in April 1995, I went on a solo railfanning trip to Philadelphia. While trying to get there, I managed to miss one exit off the NJ Turnpike, and had to find an alternate route--without the benefit of a map. Once I got to the city, I had no bearings, so I had to stop in a McDonald's parking lot to consult the USGS topo map included in the Railpace railfan's guide for what little info I could get to find the sites. While in that lot, I was approached by a panhandler. (Something similar happened when I had lunch in my truck at the 30th St Station.) Then I could tell you about the trains I got (or missed), and how my day went in general. On another occasion, i met a man who was videotaping trains on CR's River Line. With the skies cloudy, the light diminishing and no trains, we got to swapping railfanning tales. Once, he was visiting a friend in the South, he was scanning the frequencies and got a crew caller (!). And so it goes. My point is this: Photography, especially photographic technique, is only one component of railfanning. Also included in that are the other experiences that one has that become memorable for whatever reason--whether you get shot at, meeting other fans, or whatever--that are part and parcel of the greater package called railfanning. Dieter -> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs -> Message © SPORRS® 1998 - All Rights Reserved
