Tag Archives: #Photography 101

Announcements, photography, Rail transit marathon, Tips and Technique

12-step Correction Sequence for my Class

My next Railroad Photo-101 Class at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is scheduled for 9am Tuesday, November 18.

See: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/railroad-photography-101-fall-session-two-tickets-1897150832209?aff=oddtdtcreator

I’ve altered my syllabus for this session to include some guidance and philosophy on how to process digital RAW files.

For one of the lessons I’ve included the following 12-Step Correction Sequence using Adobe Lightroom to demonstrate how I interpret a difficult lighting situation and use the histogram to make corrections.

I realize that the Word Press file compression may make it difficult to delineate some of the more subtle changes, but I thought I’d present them here anyway. This sequence shows screen shots of the Lightroom work window including the relative position of the adjustment sliders. I’ve presented each of the steps in order, with only one change between each image. (Note the slider positions at the right of the image).

Watch how the changes alter the exposure histogram at top right. My goal is to make the most of the data caputured by the camera.

Unaltered Nikon NEF RAW image. (No adjustments)
Highlights adjustment.
Overall exposure increase following the highlight adjustment.
Overall contrast reduction.
First Shadow adjustement: Shadows lightened.
Black point adjustment.
Second overall exposure adjustment to place midtones at the center of the histogram (top right).
Clarity adjustment slider to alter contrast and broaden the exposure histogram. This change improved midtone contrast.
Selecting the sky.
Using the sky mask to locally adjust sky highlights.
Final sky adjustment.
Final adjustment; setting the white point by moving the white slider to the left.
Scaled version of the final photo.

Tracking the Light Examines Railroad Photography!

Announcements, photography, Rail transit marathon, Tips and Technique

Railroad Photography 101-Class 2, Part II

I mentioned that during last week’s Railroad Photography 101 class (held at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania), I was working with two cameras. Previously, I displayed the images I made with a FujiFilm XT1 with 12mm Zeiss Tuoit.

The photos in this post were made with my Nikon Z7-II with 24-70mm lens.

I’ve often said that when it comes to photography ‘there is no “right” answer’. Which is why I often try to learn from other photographers, and why I’m always experimenting with equipment and technique.

For these photos, I set up the museum’s portable LED lights to provide better lighting a on select locomotives. The intention was to direct diffused light into shadow areas and allow for more uniform exposure.

My next class at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is scheduled for Tuesday June 10th. See: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/railroad-photography-101-session-three-tickets-1318803158749?aff=oddtdtcreator.

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