{"id":8091,"date":"2014-09-09T02:16:30","date_gmt":"2014-09-09T06:16:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/?p=8091"},"modified":"2014-09-02T10:34:20","modified_gmt":"2014-09-02T14:34:20","slug":"a-big-topic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/a-big-topic\/","title":{"rendered":"A Big Topic!"},"content":{"rendered":"

But What\u2019s the Subject?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Transportation; Railroads; Railways; Railway Photography, that\u2019s what I photograph. Right?<\/p>\n

But what\u2019s the actual subject? What should I focus on? More to the point; what is interesting? And, is today\u2019s interesting subject going to be interesting tomorrow?<\/p>\n

Looking back is one way to look forward.<\/p>\n

Yet, there lies a paradox: When I look back over my older photos, I regret not having better skills to have consistently made more interesting and more varied images. And also, for not being more aware of what was interesting.<\/p>\n

\"Conrail<\/a>
Conrail at signals 81.81 near Palmer, Massachusetts c1983. What was my subject? (If you know me, you’ll know the answer\u2014hint it’s not the westward freight train!). Exposed with a Leica 3A with 50mm Summitar lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lesson is then is about skill: learn to vary technique, adopt new approaches and continually refine the process of making photos while searching for interesting subjects. (The searching is the fun part!)<\/p>\n

A truly successful image is one that transcends the subject and captures the attention of the audience.<\/p>\n

So, is railway photography\u00a0really about the subject?<\/p>\n

\"Should<\/a>
Should all railway photos be serious? Seriously?
Waukesha, Wisconsin, back in the day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Are<\/a>
Are railroads all about locomotives? Here’s a real stack train that looks like a model.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"I<\/a>
I was standing next to Jim Shaughnessy for this one! Surely that makes it a better photo, right? October 2004, Cuttingsville, Vermont.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sometimes,<\/a>
Sometimes it helps to get up close and check for details.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Can<\/a>
Can you get too close? Ektachrome 100VS with a Nikon F3T and Nikkor 24mm lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Do<\/a>
Do old Alcos make better subjects? Slateford Junction at the Delaware Water Gap, September 17, 2007.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lonely<\/a>
Lonely tracks at Eagle, Wisconsin c1996. I waited, but the train didn’t show up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fill<\/a>
Fill the frame, don’t waste space, more train, that’s what its all about, always! Right??<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tracking the Light posts new material every morning.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Please share Tracking the Light!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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