Photographing steam trains

[drivin_me_nuts]

I know, I know,

entirely the wrong place what with this being a car forum....but I have the opportunity soon to photograph steam trains at full pelt and I am looking for some ideas as to how to capture that 'breathing, snorting, fire monster' type of effect. It will be early morning (7 ish) , reasonably close to the lines and I am wondering this is done.

[Iddingtons]

Have a look on flickr or similar for other peoples pictures to give you ideas of what will turn out well.

Other than that, not sure, I'd use a fairly tight, up close view and maybe low angles if possible to try and show the size and imposing nature of them.

Getting one emerging from a cloud of steam i.e. out a tunnel or from standing would be good. Maybe try mono to give the pictures a grittier feel?

Id.

[DIW35]

If it is moving at a fair pace, being close to the line will give you quite a short window of opportunity to get the right shot before it passes. If you can get further back, but still want that close up feeling, a telephoto will give you a similar look, and also expand the window of opportunity.

[RobDickinson]

Hows your panning technique?

If your going to try, find out how quick it'll be moving, then practice with cars to find a good shutter speed.

[Olf]

drivin_me_nuts said:

I know, I know,

entirely the wrong place what with this being a car forum....but I have the opportunity soon to photograph steam trains at full pelt and I am looking for some ideas as to how to capture that 'breathing, snorting, fire monster' type of effect. It will be early morning (7 ish) , reasonably close to the lines and I am wondering this is done.

Three obvious things, If you know where the gradients are she'll be working that much harder and will look that much more impressive. Also on the day the prevailing wind direction might make a difference to your shots i.e. do you want to be in the side of the train that is smoke free or not. You'll only know that on the day. Also you might want to place yourself to avoid any 21st century lineside accesories.

Edited by Olf on Wednesday 19th September 09:42

[drivin_me_nuts]

Thanks for the advice - i'll be scanning an OS map later to see if there are any suitable high points or interesting geography to frame the shots.

[Towie]

Let`s see them then!

[selwonk]

Slightly OT, but I travelled under the Brinnington railway bridge on the M60 near Stockport at weekend and a steam engine pootled across! No idea what it was - any ideas folks?

[Towie]

Its a thing that runs on steam, pulls a train, but that`s not important right now.

[selwonk]

Ha ha

[Rude Girl]

selwonk said:

Slightly OT, but I travelled under the Brinnington railway bridge on the M60 near Stockport at weekend and a steam engine pootled across! No idea what it was - any ideas folks?

There are specialist websites for that sort of thing you know