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St Pancras International

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haloatco

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14 May 2007
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60
Hi folks,

I know this has been done to death but I thought I would add my recent photos of the engineering marvel that is St.Pancras.

As with everything I post... thoughts, comments and points of techniques are most welcome.
 
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Gizmogle

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Amazing pictures...seriously, wow. I think Mr. Bigland has some competition :p
 

haloatco

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14 May 2007
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Hi Jord, and thank you :)

Yup, it really is a real picture.

Shot at f4 and 1/13 sec with the shutter drive set to high speed and I just panned with the train and fired a load of shots off. Never expected it to come out that sharp to be honest... I have loads of dismal attempts from countless hours of panning practice to get it right :D

A little bit of post-processing for colour and contrast, but no HDR trickery or anything like that... just a straight shot turned out well.

I've attached another one for you to see one of my other attempts.
 

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Jord

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21 Jun 2007
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Hi Jord, and thank you :)

Yup, it really is a real picture.

Shot at f4 and 1/13 sec with the shutter drive set to high speed and I just panned with the train and fired a load of shots off. Never expected it to come out that sharp to be honest... I have loads of dismal attempts from countless hours of panning practice to get it right :D

A little bit of post-processing for colour and contrast, but no HDR trickery or anything like that... just a straight shot turned out well.

I've attached another one for you to see one of my other attempts.

Hi again,

Still a nice shot that one above, although i do prefer the FCC? but still a good try with the HEX
 

Gizmogle

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28 Aug 2006
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I much prefer the Heathrow picture myself. It's amazing how sharp and clear you got it!
I can't pan :( I just blur everything!
 

Gizmogle

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You just have to move the camera around with the train.
It's hard to get the train so sharp.
 

haloatco

Member
Joined
14 May 2007
Messages
60
Thanks folks....

Getting the train sharp is the really hard part... As Gizmogle said you have to move the camera around with the train...

The best way I've found to do it is..
use autofocus to pre-focus that camera onto the spot where the train will be when it passes
switch over to manual mode to stop the focus going way off
set the camera on to continuous shooting mode
fix on a spot on the train and pan with the camera keeping that spot within the same point through the viewfinder
start shooting when the train is just off to one side and hold down the shutter button until it is out the other side
if you manage to keep the train speed and pan speed the same then the shot comes out nice and sharp and the background is nice and blurred :)

and the most important thing....

You have to practice it a lot!!

Use the shutter speed to determine how fast you want the train to look (with a slower shutter speed making a train look fast and vice versa). The trains in the shot were actually not going that fast :)

Thanks for all your comments... really appreciated!! (and if you are ever at the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway then come and say hello)
 

kestrel

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27 Oct 2006
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454
Some more excellent photographs there mark, i would say that your photographs are of a higher standard than 'snapper's (sorry paul lol)you definately have a 'photographer's eye' for a good picture, you've certainly inspired me and i hope others too!

great stuff!8-)

I have added your site onto my links
ian
 

haloatco

Member
Joined
14 May 2007
Messages
60
Hi folks,

Thank you ever so much for your kind words... Enormously appreciated and really very kind of you :)

It's because of the brilliant photos from Paul (amongst others) that I have pushed myself to be out and about a bit more and to work harder to try and improve every time I pick up my 40D. Every time I see one of Paul's shots I think... wow, i wish I could get a shot like that and then find myself on a cold platform somewhere trying to achieve a similar standard. It's a good way to learn more about photography :)

There are a couple of other things I live my life by when it comes to getting good photos....

1) Never be afraid to carry loads of kit. I went through a phase of carrying just the 28-105mm and would get to places and wish I had either the telephoto or the ultra-wide. So now I take all three of them plus the flash. Obviously don't carry so much that you come home as a hunchback!!

2) Never think of grey, miserable days as bad days for photography. I find myself wanting to go out take photos because the weather often forces me to try new angles or types of shot.

Oh yeah... secret rule no.3.... enjoy it :)

Kestrel, I will add your link to my gallery as well :) And Paul, yours too (I've been meaning to do it for ages but have had trouble finding the time) :)
 
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