Mina, SD

Gallery: POP PhotosPosted January 22, 2017390 views7 comments

I knew a grain train was headed my way and wanted to catch it around sunset, so I guessed a bridge near Mina, SD would be the likely spot it would at that time. Train ended up taking an hour & half longer to get there, so I brought about about 5-6 Nikon SB-25 flash and continued my wait. It was a couple of notches below zero F. Train finally appeared and I pulled a battery out of my pocket and stuck it into my camera. It was dead! I quickly pulled out another and it worked--barely. Winter is my favorite time of year for photos.

Kent in SD

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on January 24, 2017 at 12:21 AM

Amazing stop to the action on the train Kent. Well lit where it needs to be. Love the contrast between the dark sky and the well lit engines, bridge, snow, track and grasses. Came out very well.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on January 24, 2017 at 11:50 AM

Quite a sense of drama from the pooling of the flash light, Kent. The large version shows up the textures in the ground beautifully.

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on January 24, 2017 at 11:55 AM

Kent, wonderful detail at this distance and with filled lighting too. The placement of the lead engines on the bridge adds some extra interest too. SD during winter nights.....Brrrrr.... frown

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on January 27, 2017 at 8:13 AM

You are crazy hanging out in that kind of weather waiting for a train!!! sad

It turned out well. Do the flashes freak out the engineers? Or are they used to your crazy ways?

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Staubus on January 27, 2017 at 9:10 AM

Train crews don't care about the flash--it's only 1/1000s and the flash are placed some distance away. They will normally only see one anyway. I do have monolights with about x20 as much power, but typically only use them for very large scale shots. In the winter these are easier to do because the snow double the power of the flash, as well as diffusing the light more evenly. As for the cold, I have some of the very best mountaineering clothing from Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardwear, etc. It's rated for 50 below zero F. It's like wearing a down filled sleeping bag. cool

Kent in SD

Registered on November 11, 2003, 121 Posts, 2098 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on January 27, 2017 at 11:07 AM

Kent: your persistence really paid off. This is a fine example of the use of flash which affords plenty of detail throughout the scene. I really like the effect of the train coming into the light out of the darkness. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 11, 2017 at 12:41 PM

Kent: I love your train photos and especially appreciate the effort expended here. Great scene, great result.>=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments