oldseadog43kc Loc: Kansas City, Mo.

Looking for advice on taking photos from a moving train. In a few weeks, I will be riding this famous narrow gauge train. I will be using a Canon T5i with a 18-135 Zoom. What setting be most appropriate for taking photos of the passing landscape, the river and the train itself while underway? Will be experimenting but leads on where to begin would be appreciated. Thanks. [The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Chaco Canyon, Bisti, Bandillier and a visit with my brothers outside of Taos before I get there.] Being old and retired has its perks.

K.Cole

I'll be watching this closely as we are scheduled to make that ride Oct. 14.

Erkibler

I took that trip about 37 years ago. You'll never forget it. You'll need a fast shutter speed(250 or above) and probably an aperture of F8 or higher. If I had to choose one over the other it would be shutter speed. The gondola car in the back is a good place to be if it's not raining. You can get a great shot of the engine and tender going around a sharp curve against the mountain from the right side. The river is mostly on the right side also. I remember an old watering tank on the left side that's neat. I've been on several of these train trips since I took this one. This one is my favorite.

Erkibler

I took that trip about 37 years ago. You'll never forget it. You'll need a fast shutter speed(250 or above) and probably an aperture of F8 or higher. If I had to choose one over the other it would be shutter speed. The gondola car in the back is a good place to be if it's not raining. You can get a great shot of the engine and tender going around a sharp curve against the mountain from the right side. The river is mostly on the right side also. I remember an old watering tank on the left side that's neat also. I've been on several of these train trips since I took this one. This one is my favorite.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

It will be daytime, so the most important thing will be to use a fast shutter speed. If you are composing a photo to include background scenery and the train (as it goes around curves) you will want a high aperture also (f8 or f11). It shouldn't be a problem if it is sunny! It is a fun trip, and exploring Silverton is fun also. Have fun!

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I have ridden that train (and the Cumbres &Toltec Scenic RR *) many times. When I upgraded to a full frame SLR the lens I used was a 24-85. About a year ago I did a review of the images focusing on what settings I used most in an attempt to make a decision on a prime. I found that a vast majority of the time I was in the 24mm-44mm~ range. Your lens should work just fine, if you like the same type of images I do
The train moves at about 10 mph so you'll need a fast 1/500 or faster shutter speed depending on conditions of course.
*My preference for whatever that might be worth

Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona

I have done that trip twice, and spent the night in Silverton, you will love it. The train does not go too fast and as everyone has said just use a fast shutter speed and you will be fine.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

That should be a fantastic trip and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I've seen but not ridden on the Durango & Silverton Train--I was once stopped by it for about ten minutes while if filled up and have nice pictures of that. I then rode my motorcycle down the canyon where the train runs--it is beautiful and you will have a lot of chances for fantastic pictures--more than I did on the bike. I have ridden old trains in Australia up to the Rainforest and out of San Diego from Campo to Tecate, Mexico and they are fun and provide a great chance for photos.

I agree with most of the advice given--you want to shoot fast enough to compensate for the train shake and movement and not much chance to steady your camera (I agree with the at least 1/500 minimum recommendation). If you're shooting just scenery you can probably get by with a lower F-stop but some of the best pictures will be of the train going around curves and then you'll want as much depth of field as you can get. If it's clear that should not be a big problem but I did find that when it's foggy it's more of a challenge but for the pictures that do come out it's a great opportunity so don't forego pictures if you run into fog. For the train pictures you should try to be as far back in the train as possible because the more you get the better the pictures.

The rest of your trip sounds fantastic too but be sure you have a sturdy vehicle going into Chaco Canyon. It's very interesting and has some really good photo opportunities but the road is not maintained. (If you have time to head west to Canyon de Chelly is well worth it. Take the guided tour into the canyon and you'll get some of the best photos imaginable. Both scenery and cliff-dwellings but also the birds--crows and raptors--gliding along the red cliffs are not to be missed. If you have a longer lens you'll want to take that for the birds--the birds casting shadows on the cliffs are some of my favorite pictures that I've taken.

Have a great trip and you'll have fun with picture taking at each spot.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Been there, done that - Durange to Silverton and back. Shutter at 1/500 or faster as your camera allows. You can take a round trip or take a bus back. We did a round trip and found the return rather repetitious. I have seen images posted in UHH taken from the road but I don't think the bus stops for photoshoots. The images I saw were very nice landscapes of the mountainous country there. I know you'll enjoy the train ride. PS: The train stops for water for the engine at one point and may offer some interesting shots.

oldseadog43kc Loc: Kansas City, Mo.

Thanks ... this train ride has been on my list for a long time.

oldseadog43kc Loc: Kansas City, Mo.

Thanks ... hadn't thought about the train on curves; will give it a try.

oldseadog43kc Loc: Kansas City, Mo.

Thanks. Will put your suggestions to use.

oldseadog43kc Loc: Kansas City, Mo.

Really look forward to the trip and the train ride. Spend a lot of time in New Mexico as most of my family lives there. I think my vehicle is up to the roads to Chaco ... slow and steady. Canyon de Chelly is one of my favorites. Have hiked the rims, hiked down into the Canyon ... never done it with a guide. Truly a peaceful place.

oldseadog43kc Loc: Kansas City, Mo.

Thanks ... doing the round trip on the train ... in for a penny in for a pound. Will watch for the water stop.

oldseadog43kc Loc: Kansas City, Mo.

In case I missed replying to each. I read each of your replies, took notes in my shooting notebook. I really appreciate the time you took and the expertise you shared. Now, lets see how good of a student I am. UHH is a great resource.