Kirk Gulledge
July 2025 - Chama Steam Train - NM
About the Image(s)
My picture is one which I shot from the back of a moving train toward the front as it was rounding a bend in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico in the fall of last year. This was pulled by a steam locomotive on the Cumbres & Toltec, one of the most scenic steam rail journeys in the US. I used my Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 bridge camera, at F2.8, 1/250th sec, ISO 125, at 16mm. (I took hundreds of shots along the way, but this was one of the most scenic and colorful images.)
12 comments posted
Nicely done. Good depth perspective with the curving line of the railroad tract and train. I can appreciate that you preferred to be far away from the coal/steam locomotive! Holy smoke....
I was wondering if the sky was that blue, of if the saturation is a little high...
Another keeper!
Posted: 07/14/2025 20:22:25
I was wondering if the sky was that blue, of if the saturation is a little high...
Another keeper!
Posted: 07/14/2025 20:22:25
Hi Pierre, thanks for your comments. About the sky, it is amazingly blue- sometimes annoyingly so because there are so few clouds to break it up and make for better pictures. But the intensity of the color of the sky is always remarkable to those who visit. Posted: 07/14/2025 20:27:11
Thinking about your pic Kirk I wonder what the pic would look like if you cropped it to highlight just the train. It would mean the pic would be a long landscape. It just seams to me that the train with the smoke coming out of it is very special and it would be good to make the most of it. Only a thought it is great as it is.
Posted: 07/16/2025 06:14:25
Posted: 07/16/2025 06:14:25
You get yourself into some great places Kirk. Great depth colours very pleasing. Good to see the old world of steam trains. Lighting perfect. Posted: 07/15/2025 07:16:33
Thanks, Geoff! Yes, we love steam trains and have plans to ride several of the old heritage steam trains in Wales and England next month. Posted: 07/16/2025 15:03:25
Great plan Kirk. We have a unique train ride down south, not steam though, it's called the Gahn. Goes from Adelaide to Darwin through the outback of Aust. Posted: 07/16/2025 19:34:43
Hi Kirk,
I liked the cropping suggestion of Geoff. Obviously, many cropping options exist. This would be my take: Posted: 07/17/2025 20:19:46
I liked the cropping suggestion of Geoff. Obviously, many cropping options exist. This would be my take: Posted: 07/17/2025 20:19:46
Thanks, Pierre. Your revisions definitely help to focus on the train rather than the scenery. Great idea! Posted: 07/24/2025 16:17:46
Kathryn Engle
Good composition and perspective from the back to the front as it bends around. I like the background mountain too, so wouldn't crop. However, maybe bring down the saturation in the sky a bit. Another keeper. Good job. Posted: 07/20/2025 00:58:26
Thanks, Kathryn! Great comments- I agree! Posted: 07/24/2025 16:16:05
Hi Kirk. It's story telling image. I agree with Kathryn. I like the composition with train and mountain background. I partially dimmed out the background and the foreground using level in PS. And add a bit of contrast and vignette to the trains. I hope this would work for you. Posted: 07/24/2025 12:04:52
Thanks, Franz. I like your suggestions and modifications. Definitely an improvement! Posted: 07/24/2025 16:15:03