Tag Archives: European Railway Agency

photography

A Visit to the European Railway Agency—October 1, 2015.

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Yesterday I traveled by SNCB (Belgian Railways) train from La Hulpe in suburban Brussels to Mons near the French frontier where I was collected by Mauno Pajunen. We drove to the European Railway Agency’s HQ at Valenciennes where I presented my illustrated talk on railway photography.

I made a few final adjustments to my program in Power Point on the train to Mons. Lumix LX7 photo (Photo on the computer is an image of the Southern Pacific on Donner Pass exposed with my old Leica M2).
I made a few final adjustments to my program in Power Point while traveling on the train to Mons. Lumix LX7 photo (Photo on the computer is an image of the Southern Pacific on Donner Pass exposed with my old Leica M2).
ERA's offices at Valenciennes.
ERA’s offices at Valenciennes.
Here I am at the ERA in Valenciennes, France.
Here I am at the ERA in Valenciennes, France. Photo by Mauno Pajunen with my Lumix LX7.

I had an enthusiastic and receptive audience. In addition to displaying about 90 images from my lap top using a digital projection system, I showed off the demonstration copy of my new book Railway Depots, Stations and Terminals and explained the virtues of my three primary cameras.

My audience had some excellent questions, which I did my best to answer.

It was a bright clear afternoon, and after the talk my host  Mauno Pajunen gave me a tour of railways in Valenciennes.

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photography

Tracking the Light EXTRA: Brian Solomon to present a talk to the European Railway Agency

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Tomorrow, Thursday 1 October 2015,  I will give a lunchtime presentation to the European Railway Agency’s CME unit at Valenciennes, France on the subject of Railway Photography.

A Paris-Amsterdam Thalys high-speed train glides through Schaerbeek in suburban Brussels. Exposed on Fuji variable ISO color slide film rated at 200 ISO using a Nikon F2 with Tokina 400mm lens.
A Paris-Amsterdam Thalys high-speed train glides through Schaerbeek in suburban Brussels. Exposed on Fuji variable ISO color slide film rated at 200 ISO using a Nikon F2 with Tokina 400mm lens.

Below is an outline for my presentation:

Outline

1] Introduction

A] Historical Role of Photography and Railroads

B] Brian’s Background experience: photographer, author and railway scholar

Projects: Southern Pacific 4449 and Donner Pass;

Magazine Work

Book—Stations, Signals, Locomotives, Journeys

2] Approach and Technique

A] Composition:

—Working with depth of field, perspective, elevation

B] Importance of Lighting

C] Context and informed perspectives:

D] Location and Subject

E] Documentation versus Illustration

F] Interpretation

G] People and Machines

H] Architecture

I] Scenery and Environment

—Conclusion

—Questions.

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