Great book on Railroad Photography

Alan · 06-01-2009, 10:20 PM

Dear Fellow Railfans,

If anyone is interested, there is a great book available called The Art Of Railroad Photography by Gary Benson. The book covers such topics as Cameras, Lenses, Film, Light, Planning a train watching trip, Taking photos trackside, and more. The book is published by Kalmbach Books and available at Amazon.com

JRMDC · 06-02-2009, 12:17 AM

It's a nice book from the pre-digital age, has a lot of years on it now. Photography is timeless but there are lots of technical details that have changed. I'd say in a vague way that the book retains maybe 60-75% of its previous value. Used for $10, a decent buy for a beginner.

Alan · 06-02-2009, 12:21 AM

Yea, your right. Photography has changed alot since that book came out. It still can be useful for a beginner though. Lots of good advice on composition and lighting.

Dennis A. Livesey · 06-02-2009, 02:05 AM

It was one the of best ones books out there. Benson was a sensational color RR photographer and his work was inspirational. Don't forget he also did "Rolling Thunder." It is most unfortunate he cannot do updates.

On the other hand "Spectacular Railroad Photography: A Full Color Guide to Weather and Lighting Conditions." had a lot of terrific photos but profoundly weak advice.

There was another guide that was made in the 70's and updated in the 80's by a Chicago group that was authored by, I think, Mike Schafer and Mike Blascek (sp?) It was excellent. Even though outdated now, here was a great deal of terrific advice on basic photography as applied to the specialized pursuit of rr photos.

NYSubway18 · 06-02-2009, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis A. Livesey

There was another guide that was made in the 70's and updated in the 80's by a Chicago group that was authored by, I think, Mike Schafer and Mike Blascek (sp?) It was excellent. Even though outdated now, here was a great deal of terrific advice on basic photography as applied to the specialized pursuit of rr photos.

Yes, a very good book Dennis. I've been carrying it around for months although I haven't had a chance to get through the whole thing yet. It's:

Railroad Photography: How to Shoot Like the Pros

By: Mike Blaszak with Mike Schafer

Mine is copyright 1993.

Dennis A. Livesey · 06-02-2009, 03:19 AM

Thanks, I couldn't put a hand on my copy.

But come on Chris, you just bought the book just because of the author!

NYSubway18 · 06-02-2009, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis A. Livesey

Thanks, I couldn't put a hand on my copy.

But come on Chris, you just bought the book just because of the author!

Come on Dennis - I almost didn't buy it because he doesn't even know how to spell his own last name.

Dennis A. Livesey · 06-02-2009, 03:44 AM

trainboysd40 · 06-02-2009, 05:38 AM

Is this any relation to our Nick?

TAMR159 · 06-02-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trainboysd40

Is this any relation to our Nick?

Or Ted for that matter...

ottergoose · 06-08-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trainboysd40

Is this any relation to our Nick?

There's no relation between myself and Ted or Gary, as far as I know. Lousy generic last name...

Freighthoover · 06-10-2009, 06:06 PM

Hi guys,
Sadly I don't share your enthusiasm for the Benson Book, but Rolling Thunder was a superb production, ask yourselves how man of the pics in the 'Art of Railway Photography' would get past the Screeners, I suspect not a large number.

Anyway enough negativity it might pay you to look out for a title 'A guide to Digital Railway Photography' by Kim Fullbrook and published by Ian Allan in the UK price is £19.99 here so it should be about $40 -$45 in the US. While it is primarily illustrated for the UK market, the same image correction and manipulation techniques apply the world over.

John.

Joe the Photog · 06-10-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freighthoover

Hi guys,
Sadly I don't share your enthusiasm for the Benson Book, but Rolling Thunder was a superb production, ask yourselves how man of the pics in the 'Art of Railway Photography' would get past the Screeners, I suspect not a large number.

Well, what does that prove? Nothing, if you ask me. Some of my favorite railroad books, most of which seem to have been written and shot by Brian Solomon, have some truly majestic photography in there that might have a hard time under todays RP guidelines. That in no way makes them bad photographs. Once again, some folks need to be reminded that RP is not the end all of rail photography. There is some stunning work out there that is not on RP.

skyliner · 06-13-2009, 05:03 AM

You also might want to check out John Gruber & Mike Solomon's Railway Photography from a few years back. To some extent this was back in the film-to-digital transition period, but lots of good material and advice, in any case.

George

milwman · 06-13-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe the Photog

Once again, some folks need to be reminded that RP is not the end all of rail photography. There is some stunning work out there that is not on RP.

Joe is a 100% here, There is a lot of shots that wont get on here, that are great shots. RPNets rules are to keep the some of the bad shots off here, not how to take great photo's