Heron on Log - Part II

I had posted this image a few months ago.  Lots of brown stuff, green stuff and some yellow.  And I never pass up a log.  The bird is OK too.
When I posted this before, I wasn't sure of what type of bird it was - and now I know these are herons.
The original post is here.
This is the original posed image:

As I remember, at the time I really liked this image.  I was just getting into the 'bird' scene.
This one shows up well on the monitor.  It was taken at 1.3 image size with the 70-300 lens.  There a lot of math involved there, but it was relatively far away.  It is one of the few shots taken with the 1.3 image size that actually shows up well on the monitor.
So today I was looking for images to test the AI Clear filter and tried it on this one.  My purpose of the AIC filter is primarily noise reduction.  Not much visible noise in this image.  But on the image the sharpening/smoothing was fantastic.  I could crop in a bit more.  This is what I got today with AIC added to the workflow.

Outside of the AIC, I deepened the colors a bit more.  For focusing purposes, I keyed on the eye.  In this scenario, I hit the image with AIC first, then continued with ACR.  At the end though, I didn't need On One to finish up with sharpening.  I did try some dynamic contrast - but that didn't do much either.  So no On One with this one.
Maybe my eyes have adjusted a bit better over the last few months?

Topaz AI Clear

Continuing the search for help with noise removal, I've started looking at Topaz's AI Clear.  
Currently this is $60 ish.  And the 15% discount coupons can be found everywhere.
That's the bad news, because everything else is good.
I've been working with PS - the RAW filter and it's pretty good.  I worked with On One's noise reduction and really wasn't that impressed.  And then I stumbled on the AI Clear.
My quick test against PS.

AI Clear on the left, PS on the right.  In the flat background, much smoother.  Truth be told, I could get almost the same effect with PS, but unless I did some masking and layering I would have 'smoothed' the entire critter and lost some of the great detail.  What doesn't show and what is really great about the product, the detail on the critter 'sharpens'.  I guess that is the AI part, Artificial Intelligence.  For this test with AIC, I used only the default settings.
Easy decision on this.

Topaz AI Gigapixel

In the quest for cutting down noise, I came across Topaz's AI Gigapixel.  The advertising line is that this product will enlarge any image a bunch.  There are plenty of Youtube videos.
For my purposes, I'd like to be more aggressive in my cropping.  I haven't had any requests to blow up an image to wall size.  Yet.
Did I mention, I really like products with 30 full trials?
So my test image is part of one I took last fall, that of a grass hopper that hitched a ride on the hood of the truck while riding through Shiawassee Nature Refuge.
This original post/story is here.
This is the image:

So I took a small slice of this image and blew it up 400%.  I used PS, in one leap, and AIG.  I understand that PS will do a much better job of expanding an image if done in steps, but there is a time element in this.
My findings:

OK - to see the difference is noticeable at 400% magnification.  Is it at a normal size?  Not so much, but my use would be aggressive crop.  There's a pretty big difference.
Now, is it worth the cost?  The product is $100 - and there are plenty of 15% off coupons for Topaz products floating around.   I have plenty of time to decide, only on day 3 of the evaluation.

Broadwing Hawk - Eyes on Eyes

One of the best series of shot from last year's trips to the Nature Refuge was the Broadwing Hawk.  The story to get here.
I like this shot looking straight on.
This is as far as I can reach.  The effect mm is 600 on this shot and in the original the subject is very small.
One of the 'creative criticisms' I received this year from the photo club is my nature subjects were not large enough in the image.  Some of my framing issues were with, well framing.  Not in this case, because I was at the limit of the equipment.  (Planning to resolve this issue!)
The original:

ISO 640, f/5.6, 1/800 sec, 600 mm

NIKON D7200 Ver.1.04/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

I guess that's OK for a travel photo, but I want to see the bird.

That's better and it easily passes the monitor test.
I'm playing with a Topaz product, AI Clear.  In the past few weeks, I've been going after noise reduction.  I've been playing with Photoshop and On One.  I really like PS's ARE noise reduction.  I can see it.  I struggled with On One's version, which is usually not the case.  I've been reading about Topaz's suite of products from a number on UHH forum members so giving AI Clear a shot.  (I love full edition 30 day trials.)  So this image has so Topaz in it.  And it is good.

Two Too Close

I have more than a few shots that I didn't frame well, or didn't have enough reach with the lens.  The final test is can I crop enough to get a good image on a 23 inch monitor - and get a good image on a 23 inch monitor.
What follows is completely un-scientific.  The question is - is crop processing on the original image to a small section give a better image or increase the size of the image then crop to the size required for the monitor test?
For the D7200, a normal image size is 20 x 13.33 Inches.  So what if the image was enlarged say 400%?  To 80 x 53.33 inches?
I've tried what I would call aggressive cropping in some of the nature images and they didn't turn out very well on the monitor.  If you know what you were looking for you could see the pixels.  Damn gaming monitor.
Anyway, I thought maybe the algorithms to enlarge the image would be different than to shrink.  Worth a shot, eh?
This image followed that path.  It was enlarged to 400%, then cropped to 6.4 x 3.6 inches.
This is the original image.

This is the RAW image so a bit on the bland side.  But this is for the relative size of the subjects.
And this would be the final image, blow'd up and cropped close.

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/8000 sec, 165 mm

NIKON D7200 Ver.1.04/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

Spare me the frozen prop stuff, already know it.  And a had a lot more lens to use, so framing could have been better.  It has occurred to me that because of the high speed, that this process was helped a bit.  So I'll look for a slower shot and see what happens.

Fort Mackinac from the Bay

This image of  Fort Mackinac was taken in late June, 2011.  We were on a day trip to Mackinac Island, and the day weather-wise was perfect.  This image was taken from the ferry on the way from the island returning to the mainland at the end of our stay.
On the hill is Fort Mackinac.  The white diagonal is the walkway.
The Fort has an interesting history.  The current fort was built in the early 1780s by the British.  The Fort remained under British control until 1796 when the Fort was turned over to the United States as part of the Treaty of Paris agreement.  As part of the War of 1812, the British regained control of the Fort without firing a shot in July of that year.  The British retained control through July of 1814, when the terms that concluded the War reverted control of the Fort back to America.  
From the end of the war to the mid 1800s, the Fort was basically used for exploration and trading.
Currently the museum is in great shape and is very interesting.  And the entire Island is interesting.  The Island is definitely worth a visit.  It helps if the weather is nice.
This image does include something you will never see again.  The docks are part of the Arnold Transit Company.  Unfortunately the ATC closed its doors in 2016 after 138 years of continuous service.
As to the image, while looking at some old vacation files I saw this one.  Lots of great colors and subjects.  I like the Fort on the hill and the vessels down below.  I really like the larger vessel on the right, takes up a lot of great space.  I like the color flow all around.

NIKON D90/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

ISO 400, f/10, 1/400 sec, 75 mm

And I thought this would look good in a creative style.

Back in 2011, I was just shoot and pray.  This one did OK.

Hello 2019

Hello 2019.
Good-by to 2018.  What an enlightening year for me, photographically speaking.  And really it was the last six months.
My interests expanded, some of my techniques improved and I'd like to say my tastes evolved.  Butterfly.
In blog post numbers, from August to year end I had 92 posts.  Funny enough, that was not the most for a year.  In 2010 I had 94 posts.  What was I talking 'bout then?  But for this year, I had a grand total of 4 posts through the end of February.  Then August hit.
August started with a purchase of the 70-300 lens.  There was a lot of time spent in looking what lens to get with the stated purpose of taking to the Air Races in September.  I wanted to get a few shots of practice before going out west.  After the purchase, I went out to Port Huron for to my 'seagull' testing.  At some point during that time, I also decided to go to the Shiawassee Nature Refuge to do the auto tour.  I had hiked out there before, but not the auto tour.  Word of advice, take the auto tour.
On my first time on the auto route, I was overwhelmed.  There was so much going on in August.  Days are still long, kids are feeding and most of all, still great weather.  I didn't know where to look!  For as much as I saw, I bet I missed more.
Half way through the tour, this happened.  The Juvenile Bald Eagle.

What an experience.  I've never been a nature or bird enthusiast before.  And not that I'm fully invested now, but I can see where others find the enjoyment.  This was an awesome moment for me.  Side story here, but one of the more defining moments of my life was seeing turtles coming out of the ocean on Ascension Island and laying eggs.  This event has been going on for centuries.  And I could see it - not on Nova.  And back to the present, to see a juvenile bald eagle, the one day symbol of our country.  Wow.
One other item I noticed, was the improvement of the quality of my images.  Was it because of ability?, Equipment?  Not sure, but this had a great impact on personal interest on perfecting the craft.  Three things happened simultaneously that could have contributed.  First, and what I believe the primary reason is was the new lens, and it being a FF lens.  I believe that there is better quality in a FF lens versus a DX lens.  One of the other reasons could be I changed the UV filter on this lens, I didn't skimp.  The third possibility was I had to upgrade the firmware on the D7200 to accept the new lens.  Any one of those fixes alone or combinations of those fixes could be the reason for what I think are higher quality images.  But I will add, that since changing the UV filter and the upgrade on the D7200, images with my other lenses have been improved as well.  I go with 75% FF lens plus the improved quality on UV filter.  I will not be adding any new DX lenses - FF now.
So a lot of August was spent going to the refuge once a weekend.  Saw lots of ducks, egrets, cranes and hawks.  The new lens got a workout.
Then in September was the Air Races.
What fun.  Even with all the research and talking with friends about what to do and how to do it, I still could have done much better.  Nothing like personal experience.  But what experience I did get, was great.  The most interesting challenge for me was the change in environment between Michigan skies and Nevada skies.  You just have to be there.  For my first time there, I did OK.  Very few technically 'bad' or unusable shots.  But aesthetically, I have a long way to go.  A reason to return in 2019.  The prop driven airplanes were the toughest to capture correctly.  I could have done much better, but I did learn and can move forward this year.  The jets were, not so much easy, but more friendly to capture.  However I went in with too much ISO all around.  The final images could be much better.
But sometimes you get lucky.

I know, not exactly perfect.  Room for improvement.
The week after returning from the Air Races, time for the annual Detroit Model Railroad Club shoot.
This is the third year for this event for me, and I have learned along the way.  This year I went prime lens all the way.  Huge difference.  The lens I used was a 50 mm (FF) which is equivalent to a 75 mm on the D7200.  That cause a few framing issues because of the cramped areas on the layout, but I just had to be smarter.  The shots came out crisp and clean.  Again, technically good.  For these shots I used a focus stacking technique and specialized software.  I also ditched the bean bag that was used in previous shoots, as I believe it was causing some havoc with the focus ring.  I found a small plastic tripod that did well.  One issue to fix this year is with this tripod and battery grip.  The point of reference is too high. The angle of the shots could be better.  The battery grip will be removed.  I'll be ready this year.

In October, I purchased the D500.  Up to this point I was using the D7200, which is a fine camera and I will continue to use it.  But the D500 is in another league.  Upgraded sensor.  Faster FPS.  Larger buffer.
First major trip out with the D500 was a quick weekend in Pittsburgh.  Of all the time I've spent in town, I really don't have any good shots, other than a few of Pitt's Cathedral of learning.  I now have a few.  Of the shots I like the most is one of Pittsburgh's iconic incline cable cars.

Right time of year and sunny.  Lucky.  (Knowing you have to make your own luck.)
In December, a few of the camera club wanted to take a few shots of some large steam train that was running in Michigan.  They invited me to go along.  Make your own luck sort of adventure.  Thus began a new 'interest' affair.
The train is the Pere Marquette #1225.  The history and extended stories around this vehicle was fun to research.  Fascinating story.  And chasing the #1225 was an incredible amount of fun.  Looking forward to next year's #1225 schedule.

On a technical note, this was probably the most correct image I've taken all year.  Everything was right.  Speed, Aperture, ISO, framing, focus, subject.  All there.
On the software side, I continue with Photoshop as my main processing program.  I upgraded my On One to 2019 edition for some post processing work, mostly sharpening and mask work.  I also continue to use Photomatix for HDR, although my tastes in HDR is not so much for effect anymore but to work light levels.  Less is more.  Still worth the price.  The Helicon programs, Remote and Focus, are still my go-to programs for focus stacking.  I picked up a new software program to help with altering photographs with an artistic twist.  I'm not happy with PS's sketching offerings, I was looking to do better.  I found a program that with do a 'paint' effect.  It's not for everything, but sometimes it is awesome.

The last six months have been a lot of fun.  Time to move forward.  Like most people, I'm my harshest critic.  I'm an amateur with professional expectations.  I have to learn from each outing.  My 'growth' expectations for 2019 are high.
On the schedule for 2019 is a return trip to Reno in September for the Air Races again.  In a few weeks, I'll be going to the DMRRC.  New on the schedule is a trip to SC for an Air Show.  (The air show will be fun, I'll be going with a veteran air show photographer who will not let any of my crappy thoughts or efforts slide.  Boot camp.)  Also looking forward to train chasing, in whatever form presents itself.
Hello 2019.  No pressure.  

Huckleberry Village #152

In Genesee county there are over 11,000 acres of woods, water, trails and beaches that are under the control of the Parks Department.  One of the areas of the park is named Crossroads Village.  Crossroads Village is a collection of 19th Century buildings - and a working railroad.   You can visit these buildings for a small fee.  And since I'm on the railroad kick, I had to at least try to get an image of another working steam engine.  And time is a' wasting away as this is the last weekend for 2018 that the train will be in action.  And the train only runs from 5:00 PM and the sun sets at 5:07.  You get the idea?
I was out a few days earlier, in the wind, rain and dark and didn't do so well.  But in that darkness, I did figure out a few things.   As the famed philosopher Yoda said, "the greatest teacher, failure is".
So, aside from gaining some knowledge I also gained 5 minutes of daylight by returning two days later.  And the weather was much better.
And back to the story:  During the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year, the Huckleberry Railroad departs Crossroads Village a few times a night in 50 minute intervals.
There are multiple trains operated by the Village, two to three according to their website.  The train I saw was #152.  The #152 is just out of being renovated.  The #152 was built in 1920 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia as a 4-6-0 for the Alaska Engineering Commission.  The original job for #152 was to help build the Alaska Railroad.  After the completion of the Alaska Railroad and subsequent stops in California and Oregon, the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission purchased the engine in 1975.  After a year of restoration, the train began service in Crossroads Village.
This image was taken at the midpoint of the of the ride for the paying riders.

ISO 6400, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, 200 mm, Manual, Auto ISO

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

I used my recently discovered set up of using MANUAL mode with Auto ISO on.  I wanted to keep the speed at 1/250 and the aperture at 5.6.  I wanted to keep the trees relatively in focus.  I checked my ISO prior to the train entering view and I saw it would be 10k or lower and I was OK with that.  In this case for me, the method works.  This train chasing thing could become a habit.

Using Auto ISO - and the Aviation environment.

I've always stayed away from auto ISO settings on my DSLRs.  There are some things that still draw me back to the 35mm days.  Could be I also didn't totally understand what limits or controls I could set.
I'm getting better at exploring higher ISOs than the 100, 200 and 800 that I was used to back in the day.  At the air races, I started one day at ISO 800.  Who was that guy?
I've gone through the total priority cycle.  That is I started at AUTO, then went to PRIORITY, tried SPEED and did a lot of time in MANUAL.  I'm most comfortable in PRIORITY.
The great part about the modes is they really allow you to shoot in AUTO with restrictions.  We'd all like to shoot MANUAL, just to say we can.  I can.  But I've missed shots.  And I don't want to say I shoot AUTO.
But command of the camera, the ability to modify the camera settings, quickly if necessary, to suit our situation is what we're going after.
When I'm shooting the model trains, I use MANUAL.  Simple reason is I have plenty of time and the environment never changes.  It's indoors.  The subject doesn't make any unexpected moves.  I get to review the shots.  If I need to re-take any images, it is doable.
When I'm shooting landscape, I use APERTURE PRIORITY.  I've found that I'm getting my best results with aperture settings higher than f/11 and more in the range of f/5.  Again the environment isn't changing too much or too fast.  I generally have an idea of what the speed is going to be and as long as it is over 1/250 I'm OK.  (1/250 will cover my 18-200 lens at max reach for simple speed guidelines.)
At the start of 2018 that was good enough for me.  Ah, the simple life.
In 2018 I had an 'expanding' year.  I found the fun of wildlife (Birds and Birds in Flight) and air races/shows.  While I've flirted with both subjects in the past, this year was time to up the game.
For the wildlife and BIF I shot MANUAL and APERTURE.  I missed too many shots (1) with MANUAL.  APERTURE was fine, but I think think I over planned and may not have had the best combination of APERTURE and ISO to get the best colors I could.  Area for improvement.
For aircraft in motion, both flight and ground operations, I have to get better.  I got lucky this year, but could have been much better.  Aircraft to me is probably the most difficult to get right because the action happens so fast, and the environment could change quickly and dramatically.  The subject moves from a cloud background to blue sky, then fly low over the ground.  No time to change stops and speed.  Oh yea, and there's a prop blur limitation.  Not that this is a problem, but a challenge.  
I need to solve the aviation environment.  If I can do that, all other environments will be controllable as well.
For the Aviation issue, the Exposure Triangle:
I need to shoot with SPEED priority.  If the subject were only jets, than speed is not a limiting issue.  But with props on both on fixed wing and helicopters, speed is the primary consideration.  From what I've seen, prop aircraft in flight should be less than 1/1000 sec and on the ground start at 1/80 sec and slower.  That takes care of the shutter speed side.
Aperture control is a personal thing with me.  As mentioned earlier, I like a nice open lens.  I'm a firm believer in reducing as much diffraction as possible.  I'd like to keep some control.  Shooting an aircraft in flight doesn't require a lot of DOF, especially if shooting with a sky background.  Unless there are multiple subjects.  I found f/5 and f/6 to do real well.  I'd like to set it and forget it.  That takes care of the aperture side.
Remaining is the ISO side.  Most cameras come with SPEED and APERTURE priorities.  There isn't a ISO priority.  Or is there?  Apparently with my Nikons, you can set the ISO to float with the SPEED and APERTURE fixed.  Why didn't I think of that?
I've found out that if you sent the camera mode to MANUAL and the ISO to AUTO, the ISO will float.  It is about that simple.  I can maintain some control over the ISO with the ISO - AUTO settings.
I think this will be a very cool setup for the aviation situations.  With the use of the command dials, I can change SPEED and APERTURE as I normally would in MANUAL.  Quickly.  And that completes the triangle.
This will be an awesome tool.  Will be looking forward to trying this out.
Another tool I'm looking to use is a neutral Density Filter.  I have a variable NDF, not a real good one.  I'd like to keep the filter at one piece of glass, but buying multiple filters is $$$$s.  First thing I need to do is get comfortable with the filter I have.  I have all winter, and when the snow hit the ground there will be lots of light to work with.  I also need to read more reviews.  If I do go with single, fixed filters, I need to figure out which one or ones to get.
Fortunately have time to work some of this out.  But not as much time as I thought.  The air races are in September.  However, I've committed to an air show in South Carolina in late April - about the time I'll need to thaw out from the Michigan winter.

Point Iroquois Lighthouse at Dusk

In May of 2011, we took a short trip to the UP.  We were staying in SSM as usual.  One of our day trips was to head up to Whitefish Point.  On the way to Whitefish Point is the Point Iroquois Lighthouse.  Point Iroquois is where the western end of the St. Mary's River and Lake Superior intersect.  The light was to guide Great Lake freighters going downbound to the Soo locks.
The original lighthouse was completed and started operation in June of 1856.  In 1870, the original lighthouse was torn down and the current lighthouse was completed and in operation.  This was the time of the Great Lakes industry boom.  The Great Lakes was the place to be.
The tower height is 65 feet.  The original light was a fourth order Fresnal with a signal visible to 13 miles.  The current lighthouse was in operation for 93 years until it was deactivated in 1963.
In the early 1990's, the entire location was renovated.  When we visited, the grounds and house were in excellent shape.
Getting back to the day trip, because this was taken at dusk.  We stopped at the lighthouse early in the morning and enjoyed the clear view and fresh lake air.  After our stop here, we headed up to Whitefish Point for a few hours.  From WFP, we were off to Tahquamenon Falls for a few hours.  (The days are long at this time of year.)  From the Falls, we headed back to the Soo.  While we were passing Point Iroquois for the second time of the day, we saw there were no other visitors and the sun was setting behind the house.  Excellent photo opportunity.
This is a three shot HDR image.  I've played with this scene over the years and from what I can see I always tried to 'over' HDR it.  This shot on its own stands up well.

ISO 400, f/5, (1/15, 1/60, 1/250 HDR), 24 mm

NIKON D90/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

HDR - Photomatix 6.1.1

No halos on the roof line.  There is a slight halo between the left chimney and tower, but not enough to really annoy me.  This is exactly what I want HDR to do for me these days, just balance the light.
But.
It is just another lighthouse photo.  There are lots of these on hundreds of post cards.
Dare to be different.

That's different.

Grand Trunk Western Logo - Restored

This railroad fascination has a hold on me.  Ha.
I'm having fun reading up on the locomotives I have pictures of, and getting a glimpse of the history.  We'll see where it goes.
In Grand Haven, the PM #1223 is on display.  I have a few shots posted here. 
At the display is a restored caboose with the Grand Trunk Western logo painted on the side.  It is really nice.  Too nice.  I mean a caboose needs to look used.  The restoration looks so good, looks like restoration was just completed.  An hour ago.  No bird evidence anywhere.
The logo to me is very interesting.  I'm guessing the leaf is Maple, therefore Canadian.  Which makes sense.  The GTW is and always has been part of the Canadian National Railway in some form.  The GTW was originally set up for rail access from Canada to Chicago, by way of Port Huron and Detroit and points in between throughout mid-Michigan.
This is the logo as it appears on the caboose as of a few weeks ago.

And while that may look OK, it doesn't do much for me.  I need some form of artistic license.

This would be a lottery project for me.  I would find a caboose somewhere, not in public use, and get the caboose art.  Much like barn art.  Just get the logo restored and have the wood moved to a large room.  Or maybe the lottery 'fun' project would be to start a museum with caboose art.

#1225 - Up close. (Hint: It's Large!)

If I ever need a image that fills the screen, this is it.  I can't say how close I was to the tracks at the time.  I'd hate to have broken some federal law that I'm ignorant of.  Or I could say this is a remote shot.  Whose to say?  Wow.

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/160 sec, 36 mm, Aperture Priority (EC -1)

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

There are many things to like about this image.  So I'll start with the one that bothers me.  Just a little bother.
The 1225s are a bit blurry.  I'd say that is a DOF issue, but that might give a clue to how close I was.  But I'll go with this.  Due to laws of Relativity, the front of the train was moving faster than the 1/160 sec could capture without blur.  The rest of the train was OK.  I can live with that answer.
I like that the entire frame is filled.  There is smoke and train - and just the smallest amount of sky due to the boiler shape.  On the downside of filling the screen, I have to keep the original format.  I like the 1920x1080 because it fills my monitor.  The 1920x1280 doesn't fit exactly right.  Oh well, redo?
I like that there is enough angle to see all the engineering.  Pipes, bars, wheels and tubing.  Does it get any better?
I like the engineer hanging out of the cab.  Just enough for some definition, but not enough to hold your gaze.  Just like in the movies.

Chasing the Santa Express - PM #1225

One of the fundamental flaws I have is when I get a new toy, I just want to play with it.  And with the gift of the trains in the last week I've found that new toy.  Today, a few friends and I chased the Santa Express.  The Express is pulled by the PM #1225, same as the Northern Express.  The Santa Express does not follow the entire route of the NE, maybe going 50% of the way.  However, it made it far enough out of Owasso to make our day very eventful.
We started the day in Owasso, checking out the museum where the SE started.  We were there early enough that we could chat with some of the volunteers getting the train and cars ready to go.  And what a show we saw.

Bob and Rohn

Yes, it was cold.  I used gloves most of the day.  For some reason when you wear gloves, the shutter release button moves its position.  I need to let Nikon know about this.
Close to an hour before the SE scheduled departure, the train yard came alive.  We weren't the only ones out for the day, not to ride the train but to photograph it.

No problem, you're not in my line........

Actually everyone out there was playing by the rules, no one was hurt by interfering in one of my shots.
The most interesting sight of the morning was 'fueling' of the #1225.  I never think of these things until, well, I see them.  The #1225 runs on coal.  Lots of coal.  The #1225 needs roughly a ton of coal for every 15 miles to generate the steam required to move the engine and its cargo.  It never occurred to me to ask, well - how is that coal loaded?  Had I asked the question, this would be the answer.  You get some help.

Loading coal on the #1225.

With the train fueled, an intricate ballet of machinery started.  The engine need to exit the yard ahead of the passenger cars.  While the engine and cars were moving around, the peanut gallery would offer guesses as to what would happen next - and we were never right.  We did know which directing the train would end up leaving Owasso, and with that information we were never out of place.

The A-Team

After the train left the yard and staged itself for the passengers, we took off for intersections of road and rail road.
Our first stop was at Carland, where Santa was waiting to meet the train.  I have some images from there, but nothing exciting.  But our second and last stop of the day was at an off the well worn track where a dirt road crossed the tracks.
For me, this was the location of the day.  All that was missing was some loose snow to complete the effect.  Other than that little item, perfect.
I have two shots that I really like.  The first on, which will be posted soon is a little more creative in that there is motion involved.
This one is a little more standard,  The whole series from this location is good, but this is the best of the bunch for me.  No phone poles.  Correct era passenger cars.  All the steam plum.  Headlight not blown.  Awesome.

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/400 sec, 50 mm, Aperture Priority (EC -1)

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

I was sitting on the road on top of some light snow, with all the joys that brings.  All things considered this is probably one of the better shots I've taken.  The scene was right, the ISO was right, the shutter speed was right and the frame was right.  Very few times does that ever happen for me.

#1223 in Grand Haven

While looking for information on the PM 1225, it turns out that a train of the same series exists in Grand Haven.  I know this, and I've seen the train on display.  Grand Haven has a lighthouse that I've been to a few times - and the train display is close by.
Photo note, this was very flat sky day.  I took this image on the D500's test run a few weeks ago.  This was taken in Aperture priority mode.  In order to battle the flat sky, I shot with -1.67 exposure compensation.  That's pretty low for me, I usually don't drift south of -1, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Back to the train:  

Essentially, the #1223 and #1225 shared similar paths and dates.  After 'retirement' in 1951, this train was saved from the scrap yard in 1960 to be a display at the state fairgrounds in Detroit.  In 1981, the train was moved to Grand haven where it sits today.  The train is cosmetically restored - and looks pretty good.
From of the cars on display:

And the train display:

ISO 100, f/11, 1/80 sec (Aperture Priority -1.67)

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

Looks in pretty good shape for being out int he elements.  I'm fairly certain this train will never move again, but you never know.
This train learning experience has been a fun journey.

#1225 In Ashley

At the end of the Northern Express run is the village of Ashley, MI.  The Express will stop in a position to allow the passengers to disembark over a concrete, solid road.  When all the passengers have left the cars, the train will (very) move back to clear the intersection.
While this is in progress, all the photographers tried to get close to the engine, only to be held back by 'security'.  I overheard one photographer say that this was the first time this policy was enforced this year.  But was fun time and a chance to chat with fellow shutter bugs.
While moving in a reverse direction at a slow pace, there was steam everywhere.  Great visual.  Not so much for image file.
Talk about flat light.

ISO 1000, f/5, 1/1250 sec, 20 mm

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

First, stuff on the right has to go.  The branches and the objects just in the clearing steam.  I'll take whatever I can to get some definition in the flat parts.
I have some options.  I could go B&W?  Single image HDR to get definition?  Paint?
If I go B&W, my go to set of filters are NIK - when it was free.  I use the Silver EFX Pro 2 and the one that caught me was based on the Film Noir presets.  I still like another preset used on a model train - but I don't want to get caught in a rut.  These steam trains remind me of days gone past and so B&W is a fit.

That looks good to me.  Looks like what I'd imagine Detroit or Saginaw looked like in the late 40's and early 50's.
I tried a single image HDR and what I liked most was a B&W take.  This image took it in that category.
But now that we have a painting option, how would that look?  Again, due to the whole rut thingie wanted to try other options/looks.
What wound up as the paint option started as a sketch search.  Although there are very elaborate paint options, I still think for my purposes less is more.  The Carland Elevator Paint is probably more that what I originally wanted to do, but in that shot it worked.  All of that subject was cold to me.  And that effect worked there.  This is different, it needs to be more 'real'.
So I wanted to go with more of a drawing look.

That pretty much nails what I was looking for as an option when nothing else works.  I like that  one all day long.  Looks like it belongs as a story board for a Spaghetti Western.  That's a far way from Michigan.
A few years ago, I introduced HDR to the photo club of which I am a dues paying member.  Caused a lot of ruckus.  I can laugh at it now.  I stress dues paying, so they couldn't kick me out.  It all worked out.
In January's club meeting, I'll show this and the Carland image.  That'll be fun!

Carland Elevator - Paint

I really like the Carland Elevator image.  Problem is, as much as I like it, there is no zip, zang or whatever to make it stand out. The sky is way too bland and flat.  The subject, unless you like yellow, old machines and an optically challenged blue building it probably isn't for you.
I always liked doing something different with images.  Plenty of great photographers out there, I'm not going to compete.  But I've found my niche where I'm happy.  But this year, for the trains, planes and nature I've gone straight photograph.  And I'm real happy with it.  When I get more comfortable with these subjects, I may stray to the HDR/contrast look that I like.  Who knows the future?
Back to the present and the Carland Elevator.  This image wasn't just a 'snap'.  I saw the image in my head - and worked to get it.  It just didn't work out.  Stuff happens.  No participation trophy.
So usually when I get a shot I like, but can't do much with it - I'd go HDR.  See what happens.  And I did with this, but the sky was so flat - nothing came out.  Except the halos.
Where do you go when HDR doesn't work? - and you want to keep the shot.  Now I have another option.  Let's paint it.
And this is what I have:

How do you make an old, cold chunk of metal older and colder?  I'm not crazy about the trees on the right, but I can live with it.  The sky ain't pretty, but it ain't flat either.  In the end, I like how this was 'saved'.  It makes the screen saver list.

PM #1225 Rolling By - Part II

I have to admit, this past weekend's chase of the PM #1225 was a lot of fun.  I had very high, for me, expectations for two or three shots.  The first PM #1225 Rolling By is a case of not seeing the forest because of some damn tree in the way.  And actually, the same could be said for the Chasing the Polar Express image.  There is a shot previous to that one that looking again is what I would call better.  Not enough to re-post, but.....  Like a kid with a new toy.
So I'll call the first Rolling By image a learning lesson.  I had to remove too much of that phone pole.  It still bothers me.
Looking again, I what I would consider a better image.  That is, there was less to remove at a cost - that is the engine is a smaller part of the overall environment.
I'll go with this one.

ISO 1000, f/5, 1/3200 sec, 52 mm

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

Where is the snow when you want some?

Carland Elevator

Carland, MI.  Yes, it is a small something in Michigan.  Back in the day, Carland was a stop along the Owosso & Big Rapids Railroad established in the mid-1880s.  Carland was a lumber town that flourished when lumber was plentiful, and...   Well, it is now surrounded by farm land.
There are a number of old building still standing in Carland.  There is an old General Store and Inn along the road.  I didn't see it, but there is an old school house that has been taken over by the growth somewhere.  (Field trip!)  And there is the Carland Elevator.  I can't find much information about the elevator, other than a lot of photos with the PM #1225.  But in my mind, elevators are not critical to the lumber business, so at some point there was a change if industry.
So here we are, waiting for the PM #1225.  These are two pieces of railroad maintenance equipment.  I can only guess, but looks like the front piece is a plow and the rear piece is a track rail maintenance machine.
As to the final image, yea its a bit saturated.  I like it.  In reality it is heavily weathered - dull.
The original Nikon JPG:

The day was supposed to be sunny, but....  It was really flat.  OK, I'll get out there again.  But until then I'm going with this image.  There are two things that have to be removed.  On the left, there is a man walking down the tracks.  Small detail, but must be done.  Bigger issue is the truck cab under the overhang on the right.  That took some work, but it is passable.  Replaced it with a bush.
But focus on the saturated maintenance machines.

ISO 1000, f/11, 1/200 sec, 22 mm

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

I really like the detail in the blade of the front unit.  That has some character.  There has to be a bigger blade somewhere, right?  Michigan, snow.....
I'll be back to Carland sometime, looking for that school house.