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THANK YOU FRANS!!
By: Gary Knapp
October 18, 2006
 | | Gary Knapp |
It's a curse! It's a curse! These were my thoughts on living near CP Rails' wildly scenic D&H "North End" in the '90's. To say the D&H was a nocturnal railroad back then is a gross understatement at best. During the day, the dispatcher was kept busy handing out "Form D's" to MOW crews, and then clearing them up for the two Amtraks to run. All night long however, the scanner at home would be alive with freights running up and down the "North End" behind trios of SD 40-2s, spiced up with appearances of CPs "Red Barns" and SOO LINE SD 60s. My "beginners mind" often considered the opportunities for night photography on the "D&H", but reality always returned with the realization that I could not freeze motion with flashbulbs, and I could not hope to stop the train long enough for a time exposure portrait. What to do! Like most problems in life, if you wait long enough, a solution will appear.
The solution to this problem, appeared in an issue of Outdoor Photographer Magazine, in the years prior to "affordable" digital cameras and radio remotes for flash units. While browsing through the latest issue one morning, I turned the page onto an article by Outdoor Photographer columnist Frans Lanting, a man whose unparalleled skills with the camera have been recognized world wide in nature and landscape photography. In the article, Frans explained the techniques he developed along with the equipment involved for blending dawn and dusk lighting with foregrounds illuminated by flash lighting. I'm reading along......"With this set-up you can run any number of flash units, all synched to the shutter up to 1/250th sec.". I hear a faint voice in my head.....attention! attention! and I read the sentence again, "up to 1/250th sec.". Yup! That is what he stated! The voice is in my head again, louder..... attention! attention! It was then that the realization occurred to me, that with the set-up Frans was explaining, one could freeze motion, at 1/250th sec. And....being able to use multiple flash units.....all synched to the shutter....... one could photograph passing trains at night, all the while maintaining sharpness in your image! OH......MY.....GOD!!!! The solution to the problem presented by the D&H "North End" had just presented itself!
Here is a photograph obtained using the techniques and equipment Frans referred to in his article. CP train 250 behind a pair of SD 40-2s' pulling in to a stop in front of the ex-D&H Station and Customs House at Lacolle, Quebec, prior to making a lift from the siding at 07:52 on Oct. 2, 2003. I've been waiting for "a while" here, freezer bags cover the flash units in the rain, the camera, (Canons' 10D) and myself are up on a stepladder, one hand holding the umbrella, the other hand holding the camera on its tripod. Waiting until the last moment to emerge from the cab into the elements, veteran D&H/CP conductor Wayne "Buck" Hunter opens the cab door. Click!
So, I gratefully thank you Frans Lanting! For so graciously sharing your knowledge of this small corner of the vast field of photography for which you are so justly renowned! Accolades are also due to Outdoor Photographer Magazine for the initial idea behind the article and for publishing it. It is safe to say, that I would not be shooting night photos of trains were it not for the benefit of reading this article.
Copyright © Gary Knapp. All Rights Reserved.
This article has been viewed 8913 times.
User Comments on this Article:
Posted by Rod Bushway on October 18, 2006:
Gary,
I enjoyed reading this article. As I enjoy looking at all your night shots. Keep up the excellent work.
Rod Bushway
Posted by Craig Walker on October 18, 2006:
As a fan of your night photos here on RailPictures.net for quite a while, it is nice to finally get some back story and a glimpse into how you do it. I'll have to see if I can track that issue of Outdoor Photographer down! (And your shots with the sun up aren't too shabby, either...)
Posted by Aaron Florin on October 19, 2006:
Thank you for the back story on your technique. I have always enjoyed your photos, but wondered how each shot is done so consistently. I suppose the crews are used to and probably anticipate the FLASH.
Posted by Chris Groeling on October 19, 2006:
Excelent, well written article, and as always, awesome shot!
Posted by Gregg Pullano on October 19, 2006:
Nice story and article! I've wondered how you pull these shots off, now I know.
Posted by Mike Bjork on October 19, 2006:
A great report from one Rail Pictures best photographers! Keep up the excellent work Gary!
Posted by Janet Cottrell on October 21, 2006:
Excellent article. I have often wondered why you did so many night shots and how they were taken.
Posted by Dave Schauer on October 21, 2006:
Outstanding effort and results. In the true spirit of O. Winston Link.
Posted by Ray Peacock heartlandrails.com on October 22, 2006:
Always wondered what your 'secrets' were to your great night shots Gary, thanks for sharing and thanks to Frans.
Posted by Jack Simms on October 23, 2006:
Good article, excellent nite shot. Keep up the good work. Jack Simms
Posted by Frank Jolin/Railfan60 on October 28, 2006:
Nice shot of the "old castle". You know how much time I am spending on location as well... Keep up your outstanding work Gary & it is always a pleasure to meet you somewhere along the line.
Frank
Posted by Bret Stringer on November 1, 2006:
Thanks for sharing that. It was an interesting read. Your night stuff is first rate.
Posted by mohamed on November 4, 2006:
This is really agreat article!Thanks alot Gary for sharing.
Posted by John Puda on November 22, 2006:
This is a great shot. I wish i was there to get it but i'm in Ohio. Very good reading also!
Posted by Steve Carter on December 18, 2007:
Thanks Gary! I too have been curious about how you get your shots. Care to share some more specific details? How many flash units, placement, shutter speed, aperature etc.? Effects of your work on the train crews?
For anyone interested here is a link to an article with Franz Lanting by Outdoor Photographer
http://www.lanting.com/phototips_opflash.html
Interesting for me, his headquarters is in my old haunts.
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