Train travel & Photography (Page 2): I shoot from trains every year. Just make a foam lens hood. Cut a square/rectangular piece of foam about 6" x 6", Cut a hole in the center to fit...

billc987

SafariGuy wrote:

My wife and I are heading out of Chicago to La Junta, Colorado on the Southwest Chief on an 18 hour train ride. We’ll be chasing a setting sun as we head west...in theory it sounds like it could a fun trip with Photo opps...unfortunately, from the observation car a person needs to be shooting through windows and train cars are constantly moving. Any suggestions on how to best minimize the obvious challenges?

I shoot from trains every year. Just make a foam lens hood. Cut a square/rectangular piece of foam about 6" x 6", Cut a hole in the center to fit your lens, taper the hole and paint it black. Put the foam right against the glass, use a fast shutter speed to stop motion, and have fun! The foam handles train vibrations and the black stops reflections. The taper lets you swing the camera. It doesn't not have to be cute, it just has to work, and it can be made from scraps and cost nothing.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

SafariGuy wrote:

My wife and I are heading out of Chicago to La Junta, Colorado on the Southwest Chief on an 18 hour train ride. We’ll be chasing a setting sun as we head west...in theory it sounds like it could a fun trip with Photo opps...unfortunately, from the observation car a person needs to be shooting through windows and train cars are constantly moving. Any suggestions on how to best minimize the obvious challenges?

Most of the route (almost all) will be through the great plains area with plenty of rural farm photo opportunities. (It'll keep you on your toes trying to get the shot with the corn rows at a good angle) I hope you get the right weather conditions as the plains at sunset can be outstanding. Best of luck!

Halkeye Loc: Sandiego, CA.

I made A black cloth window drape using small suction cups to block out glass glare about 24x24 inches. so I can cover the camera and use A rubber lens hood. the amtrak workers don't have any problems with me sticking it to the glass.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

billnikon wrote:

If Nikon lens, set to active and shoot at least 1/2000 sec. DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS.

With respect, what is Active? I have had Nikons since 1966 and have no idea what Active is on a Nikon lens?

Dennis

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Window reflections ruined a large number of otherwise wonderful images made during Alaskan excursions we made last month. I should have been prepared by getting one of these:

https://petapixel.com/2018/07/31/the-ultimate-lens-hood-lets-you-shoot-reflection-free-through-glass/

Stan

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

dennis2146 wrote:

With respect, what is Active? I have had Nikons since 1966 and have no idea what Active is on a Nikon lens?

Dennis

Some Nikon lenses have 2 positions for the VR Active/Normal

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

StanMac wrote:

Window reflections ruined a large number of otherwise wonderful images made during Alaskan excursions we made last month. I should have been prepared by getting one of these:

https://petapixel.com/2018/07/31/the-ultimate-lens-hood-lets-you-shoot-reflection-free-through-glass/

Stan

Is that viable? There have been no updates in a year.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

I crossed the Continent several times from East Coast to West Coast on different trains:

I cleaned up the window outside and also inside with a Windex spray - almost on every major stop.
Then, laying on my erected bed (in my roomate), I was shooting with the metal lens shade touching my finger between the glass and the camera - to lower the vibrations.
Sometimes when the train stopped on a prerie, I was able to walk between the train cars and shoot as usual. You can get surprisingly interesting images this way.
I try to use the same trick photographing the cloud formations or landscapes from lower altitudes on the planes - without the Windex procedure, though. One of my surprisingly good images was Mount Baker volcano in Washington State taken before the sunset at 1/5 of a second.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

I crossed the Continent several times from East Coast to West Coast on different trains:

I cleaned up the window outside and also inside with a Windex spray - almost on every major stop.
Then, laying on my erected bed (in my roomate), I was shooting with the metal lens shade touching my finger between the glass and the camera - to lower the vibrations.
Sometimes when the train stopped on a prerie, I was able to walk between the train cars and shoot as usual. You can get surprisingly interesting images this way.
I try to use the same trick photographing the cloud formations or landscapes from lower altitudes on the planes - without the Windex procedure, though. One of my surprisingly good images was Mount Baker volcano in Washington State taken before the sunset at 1/5 of a second.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

wham121736 wrote:

Use a polarizer to cut down reflections from Windows.

If the windows are polarized glass, a polarizing filter will not work.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

billc987 wrote:

I shoot from trains every year. Just make a foam ... (show quote)

If you don't want to make your own, try this: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1457402-REG/ultimate_lens_hood_ulh_lens_hood_silicone_lens_hood_black.html?ap=y&gclid=CjwKCAjwsIbpBRBNEiwAZF8-z-AYyFoNdsLDw8uFyPCRPPgWp9G5S2NKZgmerWygbXdnFdSC3JIQYhoCrAoQAvD_BwE&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=y

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

billc987 wrote:

I shoot from trains every year. Just make a foam ... (show quote)

This is a great idea, and I will try it the next time I travel by train.

One thing in addition to all the great comments from everyone else: I found that when I had autofocus on, the delay between pressing the shutter and the exposure was just enough time for a trackside tree or pole to jump into the picture. I used manual focus, set to near infinity, and got what I got. Stuff close to the train is going to get motion blur without a very fast shutter speed. (Except when the train is in a station, or sidetracked for an oil train, of course.)

Hammer Loc: London UK

Try the “ultimate lens hood”. Easy to carry and very effective at cutting out the reflections of glass. I used it in an aquarium, great results.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

SafariGuy wrote:

My wife and I are heading out of Chicago to La Junta, Colorado on the Southwest Chief on an 18 hour train ride. We’ll be chasing a setting sun as we head west...in theory it sounds like it could a fun trip with Photo opps...unfortunately, from the observation car a person needs to be shooting through windows and train cars are constantly moving. Any suggestions on how to best minimize the obvious challenges?

High shutter speed, and bring window cleaner and paper napkins.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Paul J. Svetlik wrote:

I crossed the Continent several times from East Coast to West Coast on different trains:

... Then, laying on my erected bed (in my roomate), ...

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