The Yellow Engines

We've passed the autumnal equinox, meaning there is less and less daylight. Does this bother me? NO! I love taking photos at night. Having darkness come early just makes things a lot easier for me. A few nights ago I heard a heavy train go up the hill near my house. It was pulling hard, the engines were screaming! That mean only one thing--a rare Dakota & Iowa quarrey train making a run at night. I grabbed my camera and started to say something to my wife but she cut me off and said, "We both know you will NOT be back in an hour!" She was right, of course.

I easily got ahead of the slow moving train and looked for a spot to set up some flash to take a shot. This is not easy to do in dark! I went for something simple, partly because I like simple compositions, partly because out here on the Northern Plains I don't have a lot to work with. I set up x3 Nikon SB-28 flash, took a few test shots, and waited for the train. For me, the best part is hearing the train in the distance. The throbbing engines, the haunting sound of the horn sounding at the crossings, and finally the bright glow coming down the track from a couple of miles away. The train goes by with a great roar, and then fades back into the blackness. As the sounds fade away, I gather my stuff and head home.

Nikon D7100
Nikon 17-55mm f2.8
X3 Nikon SB-28
x3 CyberSync triggers
ISO 800


Kent in sD