theblackwatch
Established Member
- Joined
- 15 Feb 2006
- Messages
- 10,889
Last Saturday, the forum held a Buffer Puffer photography trip, the first forum meet aimed specifically at photography for some time. Such an event at this time of year was potentially 'dodgy', but despite the forecast, and some rain and storms, we were exceedingly lucky on the whole.
Myself, Matt and DarloRich met up at Euston at 08.15 and headed for the first appointed spot, a footbridge which was around 10 minutes walk from Barnes station. We all managed a few nice pictures of SWT units in the sun, but unfortunately, when the Class 20s came, it was in 'full dull'. Still, at least it wasn't raining, and no unit got in the way of the shot.
Due to the tour being some 10-15 minutes late, we were unable to catch our planned train from Barnes and had to abandon plans to go to Clock House, where D6700 was photographing the train. Instead, we headed straight to St John's, meeting up with Jordy on the way and where D6700 joined us. After photographing the train there, we took a slight diversion to Cannon Street after our VSTP expert, D6700, realised there was actually time to photograph the train there and get back to New Cross for our next shot.
More pictures were obtained at Cannon Street, where a further VSTP move was arranged. Instead of going to New Cross as planned, we took the decision to head for London Bridge (the bridge that is, not the station!) to get shots of the tour leaving Cannon Street in sun as it crossed the River Thames, with St Paul's Cathedral in the background. We were almost caught by a unit getting in the way in front of the tour.
A short walk to London Bridge station was followed by a tube journey to Canada Water for a London Overground service to Wandsworth Road. Unsurprisingly, it was quite busy with photographers and we claimed our spots on the footbridge. We saw the tour twice here, going to Battersea Loop and coming back. Once again it was sunny for these shots, although - such was the changeable weather - by the time we left on the next 'Overground' service to Clapham Junction, it was raining.
Norbury was our next point of call, and again, despite there being various dark clouds which kept obscuring the sun, it was shining at the right time, and we all obtaining sunny shots of the tour as the Class 20s passed through. As a bonus, a few minutes later, 35028 Clan Line appeared on a VSOE special, although I don't think any of us were ready for a photograph of it!
The last place on our itinerary was Mitcham Eastfields, although by the time we arrived there the weather had deteriorated to the extent that stills photography was no longer possible - not only was it turning to dusk, but it was starting to rain and there was very little light. Matt was ok with his video, but the rest of us decided to head for Herne Hill, where we could obtain stationary shots of the tour (1/15th or 1/30th of a second is no good for a moving train!). These were our final pictures of the tour, but the day wasn't over.
Having met up with Matt again, the five of us headed for Blackfriars, from where - continuing with our photography theme - we took a walk to the National Theatre where all the pictures from the Network Rail Landscape Photographer of the Year were on display. We spent about 20-30 minutes looking at the various railway and non-railway pictures on display. We then continued to Waterloo to catch the Underground to Euston, before walking the short distance to the Bree Louise for some food and drink (50p off a pint, and £2 off pies for CAMRA members, making it excellent value), after which we all went our separate ways.
We are having a special photography competition for the day, and you'll be able to vote for the best picture some time next week - watch this space for details!
Myself, Matt and DarloRich met up at Euston at 08.15 and headed for the first appointed spot, a footbridge which was around 10 minutes walk from Barnes station. We all managed a few nice pictures of SWT units in the sun, but unfortunately, when the Class 20s came, it was in 'full dull'. Still, at least it wasn't raining, and no unit got in the way of the shot.
Due to the tour being some 10-15 minutes late, we were unable to catch our planned train from Barnes and had to abandon plans to go to Clock House, where D6700 was photographing the train. Instead, we headed straight to St John's, meeting up with Jordy on the way and where D6700 joined us. After photographing the train there, we took a slight diversion to Cannon Street after our VSTP expert, D6700, realised there was actually time to photograph the train there and get back to New Cross for our next shot.
More pictures were obtained at Cannon Street, where a further VSTP move was arranged. Instead of going to New Cross as planned, we took the decision to head for London Bridge (the bridge that is, not the station!) to get shots of the tour leaving Cannon Street in sun as it crossed the River Thames, with St Paul's Cathedral in the background. We were almost caught by a unit getting in the way in front of the tour.
A short walk to London Bridge station was followed by a tube journey to Canada Water for a London Overground service to Wandsworth Road. Unsurprisingly, it was quite busy with photographers and we claimed our spots on the footbridge. We saw the tour twice here, going to Battersea Loop and coming back. Once again it was sunny for these shots, although - such was the changeable weather - by the time we left on the next 'Overground' service to Clapham Junction, it was raining.
Norbury was our next point of call, and again, despite there being various dark clouds which kept obscuring the sun, it was shining at the right time, and we all obtaining sunny shots of the tour as the Class 20s passed through. As a bonus, a few minutes later, 35028 Clan Line appeared on a VSOE special, although I don't think any of us were ready for a photograph of it!
The last place on our itinerary was Mitcham Eastfields, although by the time we arrived there the weather had deteriorated to the extent that stills photography was no longer possible - not only was it turning to dusk, but it was starting to rain and there was very little light. Matt was ok with his video, but the rest of us decided to head for Herne Hill, where we could obtain stationary shots of the tour (1/15th or 1/30th of a second is no good for a moving train!). These were our final pictures of the tour, but the day wasn't over.
Having met up with Matt again, the five of us headed for Blackfriars, from where - continuing with our photography theme - we took a walk to the National Theatre where all the pictures from the Network Rail Landscape Photographer of the Year were on display. We spent about 20-30 minutes looking at the various railway and non-railway pictures on display. We then continued to Waterloo to catch the Underground to Euston, before walking the short distance to the Bree Louise for some food and drink (50p off a pint, and £2 off pies for CAMRA members, making it excellent value), after which we all went our separate ways.
We are having a special photography competition for the day, and you'll be able to vote for the best picture some time next week - watch this space for details!
