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Out of the Steam

Powerful locomotive Union of South Africa emerges from the steam like a ghostly apparition

Powerful locomotive Union of South Africa emerges from the steam like a ghostly apparition
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Canon EOS 600D

settings

Aperture f/5 ISO 800 Shutter 1/4000 Focal Length 43/1

upload_date

Apr, 2018

Views

311

Likes

+16

Awards

People's Choice in The best in black & white Photo Challenge

Peer Award

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Behind The Lens

Location

Didcot Heritage Railway

Time

1320

Lighting

The sky was very overcast and light was poor

Equipment

It was shot with a Canon EOS 600D, Aperture: f/5, ISO: 800, Shutter Speed: 1/4000, Focal Length: 43/1 Sigma 800-250mm lens Hand held, while attempting to keep the camera dry!

Inspiration

In September 2017, I visited Didcot Heritage Railway in Berkshire. We arrived late morning, when dark clouds were looking ready to release a downpour. When I entered the railway, I was amazed to spot the iconic A4 steam engine 'Union of South Africa' stationery on the tracks by the engine shed, but emitting steam. I had seen her before in an indoor exhibition, but never in steam. It transpired that the engine had been visiting Didcot for a special event and was being prepared for departure later that day. Her engineer told me that she was due to move down to the turntable at 1300, which gave me plenty of time for taking photos of her in the increasingly heavy rain. You get a different perspective from the normal angle that you are likely to get from a station platform, when you are standing right beside the engine on the track. I captured this shot as she became swathed in steam, shortly before she moved off.

Editing

The shot was not very colourful and I felt it would work better and be more atmospheric and in keeping with the subject, in monochrome

In my camera bag

Canon EOS 600D Sigma 800-250mm lens Sigma 17-70mm lens I carry my equipment in a rucksack but I don't always take both lenses as they are very heavy. I always carry spare cards and batteries, a lens cleaning cloth and a bottle of drinking water. If I'm doing macro work that involves kneeling, I'll take knee protector pads and if it's wet weather, I have a protective camera and lens cover, which I have acquired since I took this photo.

Feedback

Do check the railway's website regularly for upcoming events. It was sheer luck on my part that 'Union of South Africa' was still present on the day I visited. If you are able to pick a quiet day to visit a heritage railway, it helps when there are less people to get into the shot!

See more amazing photos, follow Offshore50

Offshore50

Offshore50

Out of the Steam

Powerful locomotive Union of South Africa emerges from the steam like a ghostly apparition

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Offshore50

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