Today We...
An abandoned railroad trestle displays important messages through the ages.
DSC02681
Aug, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at an abandoned railroad trestle near where I live. As an amateur this type of photo was a first for me, so I was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out. Another lesson learned.Time
It was taken mid-morning on an early March day being quite cool with a bit of snow on the ground. I always get cabin fever this time of year so I decided to take a walk along the path of the creek to see what I could capture along the way. It was rewarding to find several things of interest including the opossum you'll see on my ViewBug page.Lighting
It was actually mostly overcast, so I was experimenting with the exposure and color settings on my camera to try to bring some life to an otherwise gray lighting day. I didn't have to use a flash, thankfully. I'm still learning how to use and diffuse flash lighting properly.Equipment
I am using a real beginner camera - a pseudo DSLR, Sony NEX-F3, 16.1 MP, with on-board (or external) flash choice. I would recommend it as a starter. It has a good sensor, fully automatic to completely manual options, interchangeable lenses and a user-friendly software menu. I used an 18-55mm compact lens for this shot without a tripod or flash.Inspiration
The railroad trestle had some interesting lines and colors with the rusty steel, patches of algae and oxidation. The graffiti added a tinge of character and nostalgia that seemed indicative of my mood at the time.Editing
I did no post-processing. I'm still learning that too, with GIMP mostly - SO much to learn! Before the shot, I lightened the exposure a little, used a "pop" color setting and might have warmed that a little too. It really brought out some color in the steel that I didn't fully realize was there by eye.In my camera bag
I like to travel light. I have a small hiking-type bag that I've converted to my camera bag. Along with my Sony NEX, I carry two lenses - an 18-55mm compact zoom that came with the camera and a 55-210mm zoom that I just recently acquired. I also carry several lens filters including a must-have UV type for outdoor shooting and an 8" mini tripod. I haven't justified buying the optional electronic viewfinder yet, so I carry a 2x loupe magnifier for the lcd screen instead. So hard to see anything on those little screens! I know I will want to upgrade eventually, which will mean a larger bag, more weight and stuff to carry. Oh well, a small price to pay, right?Feedback
Look at the world through your lens. It's amazing what you can find in the most usual and even mundane places. Click away, you can always delete, and play around with your camera settings and angles while taking multiples of the same subject. If you have time and patience, you will capture that one shot that is pleasing to the eye or speaks in volumes..."Live."
