Here are a couple photos of Nickel Plate Road 765, both taken at Jaite on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. They are from 2021 the last year of fully running trips to Akron.
While similar — they are from the same runby — there are some differences and I have thoughts on what makes for a good photo.
The first image is closer to the camera. The 765 fills the frame and the sun has risen to fully light the side of the engine.
Another photographer is also taking pictures and I worked him into my photo for human interest.
Many times we tend to shun people being in our train photos particularly other railfans but it isn’t always possible to work them out.
An old saying is when you have a bunch of lemons make lemonade that applies here.
This is a good photo and I am pleased with the result but let’s look at the second photo. The engine is farther back and we have more of the scene.
The railroad crossing and the two former Baltimore & Ohio railroad buildings are visible. The 765 is a litter further back in the scene than I would like. Having the engine on or just about to enter the crossing would be ideal or would it?
Take a look at the shadow that covers the second building. This is caused by 765 itself and its smoke plume.
If the train was on or near the crossing the shadow would engulf both buildings. In fact I have that photo, this being a sequence of pictures and that is exactly what happened.
I find that I prefer the second photo even though both turned out well. The first photo is more of a three-quarter wedge while the second shows more of the total scene.
And the ideal or what I thought would be the ideal photo turned out to be a dud in my view.
Article and Photographs by Todd Dillon
Tags: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Nickel Plate Road 765, Nickel Plate Road No. 765, NKP 765, NKP 765 on CVSR, on photogaphy, Posts on photography, steam locomotives, Thoughts on photography, Todd Dillon photography
akronrrclub.wordpress.com 
Leave a Reply