Sometimes, Life Just Sucks.

[John 2]

So I decided to have a day out with a camera. I headed for the Yorkshire Dales but found that the roads were still too icy to reach any worthwhile vantage points for landscape. That was Plan A out of the window. Plan B was that there was a steam special due down the scenic Carlisle to Settle line. I headed for a place called Scarsdale Head where the country station is well kept, has retained its pre-war character and still has a traditional signal box. An ideal setting for a preserved steam train. I chose the setup I wanted and headed for the local pub for a late lunch. My request for a sandwich was met with the words "sorry, we stopped serving food at 2.30pm". I settled for a drink. The barmaid then disappeared into the kitchen and re-appeared a few minutes later with a sandwich on a plate. I thought how kind and was still thinking that when she walked past me, settled down to watch the Six Nations Rugby and ate the sandwich herself.

At this point I should have realised that this wasn't my day but I went back up the station and waited for the train. It duly appeared and I took a the first long shot with the 18-200 on the D7100 - mainly in anticipation of a similar shot at a future date when the weather was a bit more atmospheric.



The main idea was to capture a WA shot of the train entering the station in the evening sunshine which also featured the signal box. However, just as the train was approaching the station on the down line, the 4.14pm to Carlisle decided to join the party on the up line and totally blocked my chosen viewpoint. I wasn't the only photographer and the language was choice. All I managed after a three hour wait (without sustenance) was this.



It was a nice day out though.

[selig1656]

Love pic #2 , as for pic #1 it seems too dull and the sky doesn't seem to add to the composition.

[Shadowman]

Too much waiting involved for me, I'd have given up by the time you got these two shots.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Thanks for the good read this morning! Sorry your day wasn't to your liking. Love the long shot!

[marlunn]

oh dear, well at least you have th elong shot to enjoy. i suppose the #2 shot can be called 'a tale of two times' which one was more on time ?

[NorthernFocus]

Just think, without the bad days, we wouldn't appreciate the good ones

[flashback]

If life sucking is when you've managed to chill, have a drink and take a couple of really cool train shots, I'm guessing your normal day revolves around the wearing of ermine robes, throne sitting and off-with-their-head chatter

[xpatUSA]

A brilliant account, especially the barmaid incident. Made me quite nostalgic (not).

Picture sucks, though

[John 2]

Thanks for all the comments.

@ Raymond, earlier in the day, the hill tops were shrouded in fog. That's what gave me the idea for a similar shot when conditions are more interesting.
@ John, I was close.
@Alan, thanks.
@ Mark, you definitely have a point. Not sure about the regular train but the steam special was running two minutes late. Had it been on time.....
@Dan, too true.
@Jack, I wouldn't be seen dead in ermine robes and the only throne that I sit on isn't comfortable enough to spend much time on. Lounging around in a toga popping the odd grape in my mouth, now that's a possibility.
@ Ted, it's called "Customer Relations".

[FrankMi]

A good read, John. I applaud you persistence and effort!

What you have learned will go a long way toward capturing the salon quality image you are seeking. There's a good reason they don't call professional photographer's prize winning images 'snapshots'.

[John 2]

Thank you Frank. Seeking but not finding at the moment. My Salon hit rate recently is fairly low. There seems to be a trend to constructed montages rather than good quality straight forward photography. Not really my cup of tea although I have tried.

[HaseebM]

I like the first image, its an awesome shot.

[John 2]

Thanks Haseeb. Glad you liked it.

[IzzieK]

Awww....not much of a bad day I reckon...the first one is really good -- to my eyes anyway. The barmaid incident, well...that is just too bad. Have faith, there will be better days that you'll win your coveted shot and come home with a wide smile on your face. some days are better.

[zkogut]

First pic is my fav but I like seeing everything including the landscape

[JohnRostron]

Love pic #2 , as for pic #1 it seems too dull and the sky doesn't seem to add to the composition.

I think that the Ribblehead Viaduct is one of the most photogenic spots in Britain, and that it is hard to get a poor photo of it. Having said that, I think that you photo is great!

John

[wmoore]

Nice photos. Your story reminded me of this video

[Dave Humphries]

My commiserations on the missed shots John.

I'd be very pleased with the first one though.

[John 2]

Thanks for all of the additional comments.

Izzie, the fact that the barmaid was totally oblivious to the irony of the situation was almost funny (almost!).

Zak, there are a lot of possibilities in the area. I shall be going back.

John R, it's not Ribblehead. The area is littered with viaducts. This is further up the line at a place called Scarsdale Head but I agree with you about Ribblehead.

Warrick, got the t shirt. It's all too easy.

Thanks Dave.