Cameras are NOT trains, SO are cameras (that most railfans have and need) outlawed to be discussed at the forums? TRAINS competition openly discusses cameras, so if camera discussions are outlaw here, it would seem TRAINS is only hurting themselves.
Has anyone said you can’t? I know there are some prohibited topics I won’t mention but as far as I know railfan photography and the “tools of the trade” for the same aren’t one of them.
It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it…
I’ve never seen any dissention regarding mention of cameras.
I would opine that such a discussion, as it applies to railfanning, is certainly most appropriate.
I’m sure there are camps that would take exception to the use of cell phones, vs an SLR, f’rinstance, but we get that type of thing anyhow.
I believe he is referring to one of his old threads where he dissed the camera makers because they didn’t make the exact camera he wanted and they would go out of business because of it. Also, he had a certain way to take pictures that was superior to anyone elses. Like I said–it’s not what you say, but how you say it.
Ahh - now I recall.
For a subject to be on-topic, it must relate to trains. So if you want to talk about why certain cameras are good for taking pictures of trains, that’s on topic. But if you just want to talk about which cameras are best, that isn’t. It’s a fine distinction, but a necessary one. Otherwise, we’d have to allow people to talk about what kind of cars are best to drive to a railfanning spot and which fast-food chain is best to pick up lunch to eat while you’re there. You get it.
Watch a Danny Harmon ‘Distant Signal’ YouTube video - Danny is the Gold Standard for railfan videos.
As demonstrated, no Railfan Expedition is conducted with a continual empty stomach. Eating places ‘close to the action’ are a intrinsic element of railfaning unless you railfan location is from your back porch.
Support and let others know of the ‘non-chain’ local eating establishments - for other railfans information. Some railfan locations become favorites because of the gustatory options that are near the site. In some cases, these places may be where train crews stop to eat when they have the opportunity.
I’ve been in a couple of great restaurants in old train stations. First one was the Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor, MI. Several weeks ago, while visiting a college roommate of my wife’s in Hartford, CT, we stopped by the Steaming Tender in Palmer, MA. I think Trains has written about it. We were near Tamaqua on the same trip but it wasn’t mealtime so we missed the restaurant there. I’m going to try again on my next trip to the area in mid August.
I’ve watched some of his stuff. It’s decent, but I can’t get over his “royal Pentrex voice”. Just a bit too much for me.
The gold standard for me is all words - no talking.
Steven Otte:
Thank you for the clarification, but that clarification in itself can be confusing.
In photography, the essence of a good photo is correct exposure, but what is a correct exposure? Some photos I’ve seen in TRAINS of late have much to be desired, and I’ve concluded photo takers depend too much on their camera’s light meter!
It is unfortunate there isn’t a Photo and Camera section to our forums, because to assist others to take correctly exposed train photo is basically off topic. That becomes a super irony, because what would extremely benefit TRAINS and the readership is off topic and post-prohibited!
Is Danny Harmon the dharmon of the Detective Cinderdick saga?
I take pictures with my iphone, pack a sandwich, and usually bike it to Bayview Junction, my favourite train watching location. Makes for a fun day and very cheap.
You sound sorta like me. Back in the old days, I had my Nikon camera with multiple lenses and only shot K64 film. I’ve had quite a few pictures published in Morning Sun books after I donated my work but now the smartphone is all I need. I just take pics to remind me of places I’ve been. I have no need or desire to be published.
Steven Otte:
I’m sorry Steve, but your clarification post was an incredibly, well, weird one and hardly enlightening! ALL cameras can take photos of trains, BUT to take a train photo under certain conditions perhaps needs a more elaborate discussion on light, which could be misinterpreted as off-topic, and thus removed. Such a poster that spent considerable time in composing such post to help their fellow forumists will think twice about using the TRAINS forums again, or even buying it’s books, etc.
Photos and cameras are so intertwined with trains it seems a post subject classification on such would be beneficial.
It is not clear if others feel that way too, so it would be nice if others would input their ideas.
I assume that the forum rules pertaining to the discussion of cameras confine discussion to cameras being applied specifically to railroad subjects. This would include all practice of photographing railroad subjects related to all railroads worldwide, and even on the moon.
Within this railroad subject context; it would also include pros and cons of camera equipment, and all camera use and photographic technique.
Incidentally, to one specific point, in my opinion; exposure is not the only objective that matters, and it is also not necessarily the most important objective. Railroad photography is widely used to produce the best rendition of the subject, and this can amount to filling the frame with the railroad subject in the best lighting and sharpest and most extensive detail possible. In this sense, the photo takes on the visual representation of the subject just as a physical scale model does.
But railroad photography often seeks to capture the subject in its emotional feel which is certainly a part of the train watching experience. This can be taken to any level desired. I think it is possible to take it too far such as in techniques of placing other subjects in the photo such as
Mr. Otte is correct. And his post wasn’t “weird”.
This is a model railroad site. There can be discussions of photography and trains, but to have a separate section strictly for photography and cameras doesn’t fit.
There are many photography sites you can use for your interest in photography.
If you don’t want that, you can start a thread on this forum for photographing trains. As long as you stay on topic, the thread will be allowed. You started a fairly lengthy thread on the topic a while back.
The Trains forum IS NOT a model railroad site.
OK, OK, the heat got to me. I can fix it.
“This is a TRAINS site.”
York1:
Your opinion and my opinion are strongly entrenched, thus, are not likely to change. Time tends to change views, however. It will be interesting to see what we both will think in 20 years, and how easy or hard we both will experience in finding answers to our questions to things in life. Of course, I suppose troublemakers and hate mongers will always be with us. It should be most fascinating to see who excels and who is helpless in dealing with them.
Have a great evening!