MichaelJAlsup

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The combres & Toltec railroad in altonito Colorado

The combres & Toltec railroad in altonito Colorado
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NIKON D3S

Aperture f/7.1 ISO 400, 400 Shutter 1/250 Focal Length 24/1

upload_date

Nov, 2015

Views

273

Likes

+48

Awards

Zenith Award

Fall Award 2020

Absolute Masterpiece

+19

Superb Composition

+12

Outstanding Creativity

+10

Top Choice

Peer Award

All Star

Superior Skill

Magnificent Capture

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Behind The Lens

Location

This train photo was taken on Sept 21 2015 at Antonito Colorado. This is the Cumbres Toltec Railroad. Being a steam engine made in 1925 that runs of coal, I waited and watched the crew backing the train up to get it ready for the day's adventure.

Time

Our group decided to take the train ride over to Chama New Mexico. Having watched the crew prepare the train the day before, I knew what was about to happen. this shot was taken at about 10:00am.

Lighting

Late September in the Rockies is a wonderful time of year. We had high clouds and the morning sunlight was beautiful.

Equipment

This image was taken with a Nikon D3s, a 24-85mm nikkor lens at F 7.1, iso 400 shutter speed 1/250 in Aperture Mode. I did use a tripod on this shoot. I wanted the best image that I could get and a tripod is always more steady than hand holding. I carry a flash with me, but I prefer the natural light if all possible.

Inspiration

I have rode this particular train many times. Watching this locomotive at work, blowing steam from it boilers, to bellowing black smoke from its stack. The sounds of a antique train engine being used will bring back memories. Capturing the moment when everything is about to happen, I could vision it before me. knowing the rule of thirds, I planned a location that would bring all of this together.

Editing

this image of shot in color and I changed it to Black and White with Faststone and Corel. I have used both of these image processing software for many years. I have never used Photoshop. when I joined a local camera club, these two pieces of software was suggested to me by some of the members. They are easy to use, especially the faststone and It's free. I increased the contrast a little and reduced the gamma. I always try to do as much as I can in camera. sometimes it's difficult to do, but these are lessons that I continue to work on.

In my camera bag

When you live in Texas and head to Colorado, you want to bring the kitchen sink with you. I took everything I own in camera gear. From a 70-200mm 2.8 nikkor lens, 105mm 2,8 lens, a 300 f/4 lens, a 24-85mm lens, a bazooka my old 600mm f/4 manual focus lens. I have polarizer filters for each except the 600mm. they don't make a 160mm polarizer for it. probably could not afford it as well. I also use a 3 stop ND filter.

Feedback

Scouting out a particular location is always helpful when you are out shooting. Study your surrounding, watch the light. Is it bright and sunny or cloudy? what time of day is it? Early morning, high noon or late in the afternoon. If a subject looks like it may make a fantastic shot, don't just stop, shoot and move on. Look at it from different angles, move around. Sometimes, the first image was not you had in mind. This particular shot was taken from a lot of different angles. Using a zoom lens also helps in getting the shot.

See more amazing photos, follow MichaelJAlsup

MichaelJAlsup

MichaelJAlsup

Ready to rumble

The combres & Toltec railroad in altonito Colorado

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow MichaelJAlsup

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