Tag Archives: RPSI 461

Steam, Sun, Mist and Film: RPSI 461 at Bray Head, Part 2.

Exposed on Fuji Provia 100F using a Canon EOS-3 with 40mm pancake lens. Exposure calculated with the aid of a hand held Minolta Mark IV light meter. And yes, I hiked all the way around the head with all that equipment including my digital cameras.
Exposed on Fuji Provia 100F using a Canon EOS-3 with 40mm pancake lens. Exposure calculated with the aid of a hand held Minolta Mark IV light meter. And yes, I hiked all the way around the head with all that equipment including my digital cameras.

Why film? A few weeks back, I posted some views I exposed digitally of locomotive 461 emerging from the sea mist at Bray Head. See: Steam, Diesel and Electric at Bray Head on Easter Monday.
This was Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s annual Dublin-Wicklow Easter Eggspress, which ran on Easter Monday, April 6, 2015.

I wrote in my earlier posting:

    Despite clear skies and warm spring weather, wafting sea fog made for challenging photographic conditions.

     Shortly before locomotive 461 emerged from the tunnels near Brandy Hole, a cloud of fog rose to add a bit of atmosphere.

      The mix of stunning scenery, wafting fog and bright sun made for a spectacular backdrop for the annual special.

While I made a sequence of digital photos with my Fujifilm X-T1. I was also poised with my Canon EOS 3 with 40mm pancake lens loaded with Provia 100F (color slide film). I reserved film for the most dramatic angles. Last week the slides were returned from the processing lab (Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas see: www.dwaynesphoto.com/) and I’ve scanned the slides for presentation here.

As the photographer, I feel that these images are the best of my morning’s efforts.

Some people may ask, ‘If you have a digital camera, why do you still use film?’, others may inquire, ‘If you have a perfectly good film camera, why did buy an expensive new digital camera?’

Each mode of making photos has its strengths and weaknesses. I routinely exposed photos both using film cameras and digitally.

When I get a really nice scene on a bright sunny day, I often put it on film (and I may exposed a digital image as well). In that way I get the best of both worlds. I can’t think of a good reason why film and digital photograph should be mutually exclusive, especially since they complement each other nicely.

My color slides from April 6, 2015 are now also digital images, thanks to my Epson V600. If we have a slide show, I’ll project the slides the old fashioned way.

RPSI_461_Bray_Head_6April2015_©BrianSolomon_268120

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Tracking the Light Special: Steam Locomotive Panorama.

On Thursday, March 5, 2015, Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s 2-6-0 number 461 ran a special trip from Dublin’s Connolly Station to Drogheda and return.

This was a great opportunity to put my new Fuji X-T1 through its paces.

I exposed a great number of images on the day, including this panoramic view of the train on the station platform at Drogheda.

Panoramic composite exposed using a Fujifilm X-T1 digital camera.
Panoramic composite exposed using a Fujifilm X-T1 digital camera.

This long and narrow image is a camera produced composite: I exposed several similar images, by sweeping the camera across the scene laterally as the camera flutters away. The resulting image is sewn together in camera.

I’ll post more photos of my adventures with 461 tomorrow!

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Steam to Kilkenny, August 25, 2013—Part 2

 

Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s “The Marble City.”

Portrait at Athy with the Lumix LX3.
Portrait at Athy with the Lumix LX3.

I was impressed by the efficiency of the trip. Irish Rail employees and RPSI volunteers cooperated to bring the trip off and ensure everyone on board had a safe and enjoyable trip.

As on other recent Irish excursions, I tend to focus on the people as well as the equipment. These trips are as much about the people as either the destination or the equipment.

Yet, it’s always interesting to see how people react to the steam locomotive. Passing Drumcondra Station in suburban Dublin, I watch the expressions of Irish Rail’s regular passengers as 461 puffed through with our excursion. These ranged from total bewilderment, as if a ghost from the past drifted across their bedroom, to nods of approval, and the occasional wave.

At every stop, passengers and passers by flocked to see the engine. The swarms of people are as much part of the scene as the engine and crew.

Yet, I found plenty of time to make close-ups of the equipment too. Check tomorrow’s post for some close-up views.

RPSI 461 at Kilkenny.
On the footplate of 461. Canon EOS 7D photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
RPSI train hosts. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
Checking tickets in the traditional fashion. Canon EOS 7D photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
Driver Ken Fox has been on the footplate for many miles.
An RPSI member assists with servicing the locomotive.
An RPSI member assists with servicing the locomotive.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
Steam locomotives make for great photo subjects. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
On 461’s footplate. It’s hard work, but has great rewards. Canon EOS 7D photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
Planning to inspect the locomotive with an expert eye. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip to Kilkenny.
At Athy 461 hadmany fans. Canon EOS 7D photo.

Tune in tomorrow for some nuts and bolts.

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Steam to Kilkenny, August 25, 2013

Passengers enjoying the spin behind steam. Canon EOS 7D photo.
Passengers enjoying the spin behind steam. Canon EOS 7D photo.

 Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s “The Marble City.”

Locomotive 461.
461 at Connolly Station, Dublin.

On Sunday, August 25, 2013 locomotive 461 hauled a well-patronized Railway Preservation Society of Ireland’s excursion from Dublin’s Connolly Station to Kilkenny via Cherryville Junction.

As is often the case this time of year in Ireland, it was a largely gray day. Steam locomotives present a difficult subject on warm dull days. As a result, I opted to travel on the train, rather than stake out a spot in the countryside to try for the one ‘master shot’.

This gave me ample opportunity to make close-ups of the locomotive, its crew, and friends traveling with the train. As well as pictures from the window.

I’d intended to bring my trusty old Nikon F3 to make a few color slides, but on the previous evening, I’d been making time exposures of Dublin and the trusty old battery in the F3 gave up the ghost. Failing to follow my own advice, I didn’t have a spare. (Although I have plenty of spare cameras).

As a result all of my images of “The Marble City” trip were exposed digitally. Some with my Lumix LX3, others with my Canon EOS 7D with 28-135 zoom. Check Tracking the Light over the next few days to view some of my results.

Steam to Kilkenny, August 25, 2013
Overseeing boarding at Connolly Station, Dublin. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip August 25, 2013
Locomotive driver Ken Fox greets RPSI’s members on the platform at Connolly. Lumix LX3 Photo.
RPSI trip August 25, 2013
This RPSI safety vest shows the signs of steam service. Lumix LX3 photo.
RPSI trip August 25, 2013
After leaving Dublin, ‘The Marble City’ was overtaken by the Dublin-Cork train at the end of the quad track on the down road at Hazelhatch. (Up tracks are to the left of the platform) Canon EOS 7D photo.

 

Lumix LX3 photo.
Passengers enjoying the spin behind steam.
Startled cattle run alongside the train near Bagenalstown. Canon EOS 7D photo.
Startled cattle run alongside the train near Bagenalstown. Canon EOS 7D photo.

 

More to come!

 

 

 

 

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Railway Preservation Society Ireland 461 Follow Up

As a follow up to my November 7, 2012 post Irish Rail in November Light , I thought I’d post a scan of a slide I made the same day as the digital photos. RPSI 461 was its way back to Dublin as part a trial run on November 6, 2012. I exposed this image with a Canon EOS-3 on Fujichrome Provia 100F. I intentionally aimed into the sun to silhouette the locomotive as it crossed the open lands of the Curragh. My feelings on the photo are mixed. While I captured the essence of the scene and the photo is razor sharp, it isn’t precisely what I’d hope for. The sky lacks the texture and color I remember, and I’m not comfortable with the angle. Not every image works perfectly.

Railway Preservation Society Ireland 4-6-0 number 461 crosses the Curragh, County Kildare on November 6, 2012.
Railway Preservation Society Ireland 4-6-0 number 461 crosses the Curragh, County Kildare on November 6, 2012.