Timeless Photography: What's your opinion?

OK Mike, a few of my thoughts, having grown up in the steam era, and started taking B&W "snap shots", in the early 1950s. 

1) I much prefer well done black & white photography, since in my opinion, it tends to duplicate the "real world of steam power", at least as I remember it.

2) For those "posed" photo events, especially with "dead/display" locomotives, that use color photography, I find my eyes being quickly drawn to the "errors" for the period that is trying to be duplicated. Such as NOT period clothing & shows, "inspecting" the running gear with a RED LANTERN, and the generated "steam" coming from places that are NOT correct.

3) A proper "railroad setting" is always helpful.

PennsyPride94 posted:

Feel free to post any pictures you have that serve as an example of a timeless image. 

Okay, here are some of mine:

PennsyPride94 posted:

 

Filling the enginehouse with steam, the hostler pulls out the throttle and backs N&W #475 out into the morning sun.

How is the hostler pulling the throttle from the fireman's side? Or has this image been reversed?

smd4 posted:

PennsyPride94 posted:

 

Filling the enginehouse with steam, the hostler pulls out the throttle and backs N&W #475 out into the morning sun.

 

How is the hostler pulling the throttle from the fireman's side? Or has this image been reversed?

He's facing rearward in the engineer's seat backing out of the enginehouse.......

Color record photography is very useful for us, we who are trying to recreate the prototype in 1:48, but black & white is an art form that can capture the light, mood and textures as color seldom does.

I enjoy photography as another of my hobbies.  While I do it once in a while...and it can be effective...I generally find black and white photography to be dull and sometimes gloomy.  When I was a kid steam was still on the rails.  My grandfather would take me down to the Southern Pacific Bayshore Yard in San Francisco/Brisbane.  And...yes...I have all of  O. Winston Link's books...and...they are beautiful...but steam locomotives are not black and white. I remember other colors that went with those fire-breathing monsters and loved it.  Although they're rare...I appreciate some of the color train photography that was taken...say...of the Daylight...in the 1950's.    As for "posed" photography of steam or diesels...I always prefer to capture them in color.  It just adds more to the scene.  Many people who weren't around for steam can see a more living picture of a steam locomotive.  Here is one B&W and some color photos I took.  Just my preference.  Matt

I guess part of a timeless photo is making something extraordinary appear ordinary.

Rusty

Rapid Transit Holmes posted:

Color record photography is very useful for us, we who are trying to recreate the prototype in 1:48, but black & white is an art form that can capture the light, mood and textures as color seldom does.

Not every time. There are plenty of photos that wouldn't have the same impact in b/w that they have in color.

Case in point already posted here, this wouldn't have the same effect without that nice green background and blue sky, which sets the locomotive as it's own element very effectively:

To me, a timeless image is meant to capture a moment in time, whether one is posing RR employees at a museum in steam-era garb, or trying to get #611 or any other steamer at a location that is evocative of say, the 1950s N&W.
Unfortunately the modern world has intruded severely on places where a timeless image can be attempted, as even rural landscapes have been altered or cluttered.
As shown above, RR museums can be of real service in providing an outlet for photographers to recreate those moments from the golden era, provided enough attention is given to the details.
I also believe that B&W can also aid in establishing a "timeless mood" to a photo, after all, those hi-viz vests (hate em') that some members of the 611 crew wear show up real well in color images.
Attached are a couple of my images that have IMO a timeless mood, all 4 looked OK in color, but editing into B&W allowed me to hide certain things and accent others.
All digital images by Warren W. Jenkins

BTW, O. W. Link also shot color photos, they are also quite nice, one of his books has a whole chapter of them.

p51 posted:

Rapid Transit Holmes posted:

Color record photography is very useful for us, we who are trying to recreate the prototype in 1:48, but black & white is an art form that can capture the light, mood and textures as color seldom does.

Not every time. There are plenty of photos that wouldn't have the same impact in b/w that they have in color.

Case in point already posted here, this wouldn't have the same effect without that nice green background and blue sky, which sets the locomotive as it's own element very effectively:

Except, the Southern Pacific steam locomotives did NOT have white tires, and stars on their drivers & engine truck wheels (except for those locomotives with pressure feed oil lubrication), in regular service. Thus, that is obviously a "dolled up" excursion locomotive, and not "period correct".

Beautiful shot, however!

I will always love the 2472 in a color shot...but I'm sure there are some great B&W photos of it also.  It may be a "dolled up excursion" locomotive that is not "period correct," but a lot of people put a lot of hard work, sweat, time, experience, and perseverance into taking it from a static locomotive at a county fairgrounds to a beautiful operational steam locomotive.  Many people...including me...will look at it with awe, respect and affection regardless if it has white tires and stars!  Matt 

Borden, Love that B&W shot of the 611. Thanks for posting.

boin106 posted:

I will always love the 2472 in a color shot...but I'm sure there are some great B&W photos of it also.  It may be a "dolled up excursion" locomotive that is not "period correct," but a lot of people put a lot of hard work, sweat, time, experience, and perseverance into taking it from a static locomotive at a county fairgrounds to a beautiful operational steam locomotive.  Many people...including me...will look at it with awe, respect and affection regardless if it has white tires and stars!  Matt 

All well and good, except a similar group of people pulled SP 4449 out of a park, fully restored her, toured the western portion of the United States with the American Freedom Train, then rebuilt her again for the New Orleans Worlds Fair Daylight trip in 1984, operated many excursions since, performed her FRA mandated 15 year boiler inspection, and STILL try and maintain her "historic" appearance in the 21st century, without looking like a "circus show".

Well Hot Water, I guess you must have thought the 4449 in Freedom Train Colors was a "circus show".  I didn't. Try to stay on subject please. Don

scale rail posted:

Well Hot Water, I guess you must have thought the 4449 in Freedom Train Colors was a "circus show".

Well, as a matter of fact, I did! But, besides that, it was still a VERY historic event and nation wide operation, what with the three different steam locomotives painted up for the two year bi-centenial celebration.

Then again from my vantage point in the Fireman's seat, I really didn't care what color she was painted! Especially since she was NOT involved in a "period photo shoot".

 I didn't. Try to stay on subject please. Don

Please remind me,,,,,,what was the subject again?

A MoPac guy posted this on Face Book, and I showed it to the Frisco groups...it generated a flood of positive comments.  For people who had the opportunity to railroad pre-1990's, this photo evokes good memories.

"The brakeman on Frisco Train 337, the northbound Local from Wichita to Ellsworth, KS, locks the gate after crossing the Mop Pueblo Line at Frederick, KS. 1978."  Glenn Diehl Photo

Great posts everyone! And thanks Don for returning us to the original topic. 

I must agree with Rapid Transit Holmes about the use of B&W. The shots I posted above looked rather artificial and fake with the mood of the present lighting. B&W, again IMO, provides the best outlet for capturing the texture of a scene especially in the case of my picture with the hostler surrounded by the smokey and steamy enginehouse backing #475 out of the stall. 

At the same time like Matt said, color does have its merits. I have looked at a TON of O.W.L. images in color and love the film like features of them. Using film filters allows for me to express that era as best as I possibly can and its fun! Additionally, color definitely has its advantages in capturing the beauty of a scene particularly in the setting sun or early morning hours. 

Keep the posts coming everyone! Thanks for replying.  

My favorite engine. Don

How many youngsters over the years have been amazed at the living, breathing giant on the track near them? As did I many years ago, standing near a Baltimore and Ohio Mike, her turbo whining, steam hissing, and the air pump making her sound like it was alive. Is this is what is on this young boy's mind as he takes in the sights and sounds of 734 on the turntable at Frosturg? I made this fifteen years ago,with my first digital camera, a Nikon 990.