Battling the Weather - One for Jim (Ziggy)

[John 2]

You wanted to see the train Jim. It's an engine called "Scots Guardsman", one of the many that are used to pull steam specials during the summer months. The difficult bit is to catch them on a route that isn't covered by electrification cables. This was taken up on the Yorkshire Moors where many of the stations retain there traditional character.

[Brownbear]

Beautiful image, beautifully photographed! The detail is amazing, colours and the light are beautiful.

An inspiring image for me to see. If I could find a steam train to photograph I'd be out there right now, giving it a try. I adore the rain and sky - creates a magical feeling. Resembles a screen shot from an old movie.

[rpcrowe]

#1 to Christina's comments. I could see this as a Calendar illustration for a winter month!

[Shadowman]

Now that's steaming along. Nice capture.

[Hallen]

How did you get the rain to stand out so well? I like seeing the individual drops of rain -- it makes it obvious that it is raining rather than just being hazy. Whenever I try rain pictures, seeing as it does rain a lot here, it generally doesn't work out.

[jcuknz]

To me this is what I believe is the usual over processed kind of railway image we see from time to time here on CiC and IMO looks horrible ... but obviously some like this approach.

[John 2]

To me this is what I believe is the usual over processed kind of railway image we see from time to time here on CiC and IMO looks horrible ... but obviously some like this approach.

As I said in my previous post (Evening Express), we all have different tastes but I will be the first to admit that this image is fairly stylised. It was produced for competition and UK judges tend to want something more than just a snapshot. However, it is the only one I have of this particular engine that Jim wanted to see.

[John 2]

Thanks all for the feedback, for and against.

[Ziggy]

John,

Thank you very much for posting this and giving me a view of the train coming down the track. I really like the way you have processed and presented this image.

Open your eyes and your mind jcuknz. If you don't you will miss so much.

[IzzieK]

I like the image too, John. This train, does it take regular passengers? Just curious...It belongs to an old movie in my mind with a part of the train that has chef and waiters and diners and sleepers areas too for long trips.

(How wet did you get your camera, mate?) I don't dare shoot when it is raining...even if my manual yells "waterproof!"

[John 2]

Hi Izzie. Thanks. The steam specials are trains that carry passengers but not to a schedule. They are chartered for special outings, usually to or through nice parts of the UK. The Yorkshire moors line is a favourite and one of the most beautiful goes through the highlands of Scotland. They are run on traditional lines in that just as you describe, they often have dining cars. Quite expensive but nearly always fully booked.

[gregj1763]

Obviously not how vivid the scene really looked in real life but a stunning image in my opinion, the smoke, the clouds, the rain, the drama.
Well done John
Ps this is now my desktop background

[Wandjina]

I think it is a great photo. It shows action and is nicely composed. I love the way the smoke from the train blends into the dark clouds. Over processing or not, the fundamental photo is a wonderful shot. If I ever make it back to the UK I will have to check out Garsdale station and the trains that come through it

[bnnrcn]

I too loved the image John

[John 2]

...............Ps this is now my desktop background

You're welcome Greg but for your use only.
Thanks Martin, thanks Binnur. Martin if you do let me know and I will send you the latest Summer schedules.

[arith]

Fantastic image, reflections on the body, everything.

[jcuknz]

It was produced for competition and UK judges tend to want something more than just a snapshot. .

Having been unfortunate to see a couple of 'best of british' programmes in the past I guess the judges have forgotten what good photography is in their search for excellence [ or something different ] amongst the dross. But then I and my fellow students thought much the same about the 1953 RPS Show so I guess it is a divergence of viewpoint building over the years.
Obviously Ziggy [#9] is well indoctrinated