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Steam Train

Challenge #17 in the This and That series. Hosted by Pete from Aus.

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This weeks theme is trains. Any train will do, but for extra points lets see a Steam Train & Preferably a working one (unlike my example)

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Fire and Ice in Nevada

by cjf2

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1^st place

3.925

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The name of the US state of Nevada means snow clad or snowy land. It seemed well named this day.

Camera:	Canon EOS 350D (EOS Digital Rebel XT / EOS Kiss Digital N)
Lens:	Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
Submitted:	Thursday, 3rd January, 2019 18:54 (GMT)
Taken:	Tuesday, 20th February, 2007
Focal length:	26 mm
Shutter speed:	1/800 sec
Aperture:	F8
ISO:	100
Notes:	No. 40 is a 4-6-0 ten-wheeler type, steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July 1910. It has been on the Nevada Northern Railway all its life.
Views:	1215
Galleries:	View this photo in cjf2's gallery

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Entry comments

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Oldest first

So. I was researching a Leica Q. Came across some bizarre posts from people that seemed more interested in trading insults than talking about photography.

snapa's comment is bang on. The way you use your gear is the most important thing.

I was going to sell my EOS 5D Mk2 as part of the Leica deal, but am having second thoughts. I could attach a 100-400 to it, to replace the 70-200 I'm using and put up with the weight. The EOS has never let me down.

Taking the Q out of the mix, is it worth holding on to the Canon ?

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Fantastic! One of the best I have seen in a while!

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Thanks for that glowing endorsement!

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Beautiful photo. A well deserved first place

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Thanks a lot.

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Simply stunning photograph!

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Awesome!

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Thank you. It is good to see people enjoying pictures of steam engines.

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Great picture! I linked this picture to a few clueless people on the Sony Alpha / NEX E-mount forum to show how well an 8mp, 14yr old camera can do. There is a thread going on were people are excited to go from 24mp's to a rumored 32mp APS-C camera. This proves that it is not the camera or mp's in it, but the photog, composition, and subject that really matters.

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Arguments on internt forums can never be won by any of the participants!
Yes I have plenty of pictures taken on that camera. I changed to a 50D when it wore out which was noticeably better but people turned against the camera as the conventional wisdom was that 15mp was too many for a crop sensor! My biggest ever print (1.2 metres longest side) is from that and even at that size you can look closely and not think I wish I had more mega pixels. Then I went to a 5DmkIII and after I dunked it in the sea to a Nikon D850 at 44MP. The full frame was a step up but the change from 25 to 44 MP has not chained my life. If I could have improved the shadow noise, the focussing for wildlife and the speed of the SD slot I'd still be perfectly happy with the 5D, well part from the fact my one did not work after going in the sea!.

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

cjf2,

My first DSLR was a Rebel XT in late 2005. We went on a cruise to Greece and Turkey in Spring 2006 and I didn't know squat about the camera. JPEG only and ISO 100 or 200. Those photos still look great with a little PP.

You deserve 1st place for that wonderful photo.

Kent

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Have you ever looked back at it? I did after using the 50D for a while and I was horrified how small the screen was on the back. The way my eyes have got worse since, I just couldn’t use it now. It’s lucky technology has moved on.

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

Nice photo, but why does the steam look photoshopped? There is something about the pic that feels weird but I am just not able to pin point it. The last wagon also looks too small even though its just 5th from the start. Could it be the perspective and also that the track is not straight?

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

The steam is not "photoshopped," because it's not all steam; it's steam and coal-smoke mixed together. The exhaust steam from the engine cylinders shoots out of a nozzle pointing up the chimney in the smokebox. The steam entrains or drags the smokebox gases with it which maintains a lower pressure in the smokebox than that under the firebox grate. This pressure difference causes air to flow up through the coal bed and keeps the fire burning.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Well its a RAW image opened in Adobe Camera RAW which came as part of CS5so that's close to Photoshop. It's not been added from another picture if that's what you were wondering. The plume looks a little short but I don't know why it has not lasted longer to remain as more of a trail. As McFrost says it is a mix of smoke and steam and it is back lit which emphasises the texture.
It is on curved track (look behind the train where the curve increases) but the coach is a bit of an odd squat design which you may not be used to.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

cjf2, I think vzlnc is being a little picky.

Kent

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Jan 12, 2019*permalink

Reilly Diefenbach

Nailed that one. Congratulations!

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Thank you.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Wow, looks amazing! Well done :)

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Hi Maarten,
Glad you like it.
Interesting to see you outside the wildlife forum. When we were talking over there about things to do in February I almost mentioned that winter is the season for steam engines!
I don’t know how hard it would be for you to get to Wernigerode in Germany but the Harz Narrowguage Ralway (HSB) runs everyday in winter with good prospects for snow if you can react at short notice when the snow falls.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Never thought about seamengines (let alone trains), although the pictures do look unique! They have a nice feel. Not sure I'm fascinated enough to make a trip to photograph them, but I'll definetely consider it once I'm on a trip somewhere (for wildlife) and I can go somewhere near.

I'll update you on the trip once I have arranged everything, should be the 17th. I'm studying from 08:00 to 24:00 with only little breaks (somethings having a look here), but I'll have some more time around the 17th to arrange everything into detail.

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Jan 13, 2019permalink

Good luck with the exams and I look forward to hearing the plans and later to hear how you get on.

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Jan 13, 2019permalink

Albert Valentino

Fantastic. The only thing that could make it better was if a bunch of cowboys with masks where riding up alongside waving their pistols 😃

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Alas they were on the other side, hidden behind the train!

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Just waiting to see it explode, followed by one of the cowboys excalaiming, "Think you used enough dynamite there, Butch?"

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Albert Valentino

DotCom, i restrained myself from using that exact same line. I alsoheld back on commenting if there might be a young girl tied to the tracks further up the line 😉

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Jan 12, 2019*permalink

Fantastic image!! Well done :)

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Thank you.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Fabulous shot - doesn't matter how good the camera is, it's the eye of the photographer every time, and you've got it!!!!

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Thanks anisah.
I noticed in the past that you have a vague interest in steam but usually take locomotives when they are stationary. If you would like to take moving trains with lots of steam exhaust it is best in the winter (cold so the exhust shows and low light to illuminate the wheels below the rather low running plates of British locos) and to get to a spot where the loco is working uphill towards you or powering away from a station towards you. The most opportunities will be at steam galas or on charters on preserved railways where a train is hired for the day for a group of 30 or so photographers. Railways are potentially dangerous and most charter participalnts have been at the game since the 1960s but one charter operator who has tried to widen the client base is at this link. You could ask if you could particpate and ask him to look after you as it is your first time (if it is.) https://www.donbishop.co.uk/

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

So surreal plus addicting to look at. My first impression was the strong presence of the steam; I was reminded of the plume attached to the helmet of an ancient gladiator. The crispness of the air comes across as well.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Thanks. We arrived from the UK the day before and it was raining. The next morning it was overcast and snowing heavily but the skies cleared for a perfect few hours over two days.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Another amazing crystal clear photo from you! I love this one.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Thanks Barb.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

There are a few certainties in life; like Brexit being done disastrously and cjf2 winning a steam train challenge. :D

Well done on an outstanding image.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

That's very kind.
Don't be too dispondent about Brexit. If it gets too bad we may get to the point of having to rely on steam engines to pull service trains on the mainline again and the roads will be empty allowing us to get to the lineside less stressfully !

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Haha, I fully embrace your hopes for the future. I'm on my hands on knees now praying for that outcome! ;)

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Jan 12, 2019permalink

vintage stuff. Rebel XT for the win :) i hope the train could stop and pick you up from the middle of nowhere..

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Yes thankfully the crew knew I was there and did stop.

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Jan 11, 2019*permalink

Old Greenlander

Super!
How have you found it?

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Hello there,
It is the Nevada Northern Railway which is a preserved operation in, well, northern Nevada! I was on a special tour from the UK but there are two weekends a year where the railway runs in the winter specifically for photographers. you can find details here:- http://nnry.com/pages/photoshoot.php
This year they are soon - Feb 8-10 or Feb 15-17 2019. If you can get here you could see if they have places left. Of course there might be no snow or too much snow but if you don't go you'll never know. If you csannot make this year there will hopefully be other years. I'd like to go back myself but I fear it could not be better weather or perhaps even equal.
They also run more regularly oat other times of the year but if you are not on a phtography charter you'll have fewer chances and have to walk out to suitable spots from the road.

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Jan 11, 2019*permalink

Excellent image(from a rail buff)! You should submit that to Trains Magazine!

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

Thanks.

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Jan 11, 2019permalink

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