I stopped by to see CShaveRR today and it made me realize how long it’s been since I was in here.
Part of that is that I don’t have much to show these days. Work and life keep me so busy that I don’t get out much with the cameras anymore. I’m hoping that can change a bit soon because I certainly miss time out photographing.
I certainly need to start exploring the photographic possibilities in my new hometown, too. We moved to a heck of a railroad town in December – West Chicago, IL. When conditions are right, I hear every train going over the diamond here and it’s always fun to drive towards the diamond and see what’s going on there.
This shot is one of my first photographic outings here after moving. It was taken on December 28th when Chicagoland saw its first recordable snowfall for the season (an incredibly late start for that winter marker). Despite the snow, the air temperatures remained above freezing and the result was some pretty decent fog. After I shoveled the snow, I decided to see if I could make an interesting photo.
This is kind of out there as far as compositions go but it did the best job of telling the story of the night. The signal bridge on the UP is all red because if you look closely, you can just barely make out a silhouette of the lead locomotive of a northbound CN train banging over the diamond and just about to pass JB Tower. Apart from the dominating glow of the signals, it’s all a bit ambiguous and mysterious. That sums up what the evening was like. I couldn’t even tell you what type of locomotive was leading or even what type of train it was.
Your photo reminded me of a couple of paintings I like by the late Ted Rose. I agree with Flintlock about the mood; that what makes it interesting. The hazy colors grab our attention, and the locomotive helps ground the picture. Next time, be sure to tell the railroad that you’d like some different colors on those signals and could they help you out? [;)]
@Flintlock - It’s there someplace! It was the kind of night that sound was far more useful to detect that, though!
@NKP - I actually have a few frames of the signal bridge after the CN train passed that shows quite a bit more visual interest. I’ll try to get that processed and will post it as a reply!
@tree - Thank you, sir! The goal is to try and tell a story with the photo. Wedge shots usually (though not always) end up more documentary and don’t have a great depth of “plot” to the image.
@Electroliner Thank you for the very kind comments! I have another post or two that I hope to put together soon.
@Murphy - I’m glad that that photo is doing well on your wall! I sent it in to a blog I follow and it got kind of mixed reviews…
@Chad - Whoa! Good to see you’re still around! I was just looking through my photos from our day in Cheyenne back in the day!
Hey Chris, it sounds like we are in the same zone these days. I’m living in Hebron, In. about 30 miles out of Chicago. Just might have to hook up sometime [8D]
Foggy Night on the Diamond by Chris May, on Flickr