Train at Sunset
Apr, 2015Views
301
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Awards
Winner in Abandoned traincars Photo Challenge
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken near the train depot, now a working landmark, near downtown historic Grapevine, TX.Time
Near sunset.Lighting
While the sky looks dramatic, this is actually a composite with the sky taken at sunset from my back yard on another day. However, the sunset that was taking place when I photographed the train was enough to bring out the lovely golden color on this old train car. This side of the car practically glowed with the light, while the other side was dull and dreary!Equipment
For this image I used a Canon 5D Mark iii and the 70-200mm lens, hand held.Inspiration
This train yard is a popular spot for local photographers to shoot all types of work, from graduation photos to fashion photography. I enjoy the hulking old machines themselves, and wonder what stories they could tell if we could only hear them. The textures on the rusting cars, vestiges of old lettering and the industrial details all make for fascinating images, and hopefully I'm also preserving a bit of history.Editing
As I mentioned, this is a composite, as the sky was a sunset taken from my back yard. So a little time went into masking in Photoshop. I also kicked up the vibrance a little on the train car itself, and worked with varying hues to get the look I wanted. A glow was applied from OnOne's Perfect Effects, and also a hint of vignette.In my camera bag
Canon 5D Mark iii, a 70mm-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens, a 100mm macro lens, the 24mm-105mm f/4L kit lens, and a 16mm-35mm f/2.8L II. I also carry Kenko extension tubes, a remote, a blower to clean my sensor, and a small artist brush to clean flowers when I do macro work. I have a macro ring light, but find that I really prefer natural light for macro work.Feedback
Be sure to shoot a lot of pictures of skies! All kinds--sunsets, fluffy clouds, dramatic stormy skies--and keep an "arsenal" of them ready so that you can replace dull, dingy, or grayed out skies with something special. Use various formats, including wide angle, so that you'll be able to "match" your skies to the type of image you're pairing it with. Keep your ISO low when shooting your sky images so they'll be free of noise, and watch for sensor dust. I clean up the files, name them "Base File" followed by their file number, and that way I know they're ready for use in any image--I won't have to work on them again and again.
