Abandoned Railroad: My son and I were photographing areas in the town where we grew up and I was giving him a short history lesson. When we came to what used to be the Canadian Pacific...

maxamillion Loc: Hampden Maine

My son and I were photographing areas in the town where we grew up and I was giving him a short history lesson. When we came to what used to be the Canadian Pacific Railroad station, I was moved to tears. My grandfather was a conductor on this line and my grandmother and I used to take the passenger train to Canada.

I am hoping this set of pictures convey the feeling of isolation and abandonment I got while I was there. Do you think this set of pictures convey that feeling and what might I have done differently?

I did a little PP--levels and sharpening. My camera is a Canon Xsi and I was using my 18-135mm lens and I think I was shooting in auto--I have moved to manual but hadn't ventured that far at that time.

Office Door ISO 200 f/10 1/80 22mm

Tracks leading Nowhere ISO 200 f/10 1/160 113mm

Station No More ISO 200 f/10 1/320 33mm

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

maxamillion wrote:

My son and I were photographing areas in the town ... (show quote)

I know what you mean. A depot that one of my relatives went through when he worked the railroad is now some new business in it. Some others that I have seen are boarded up to. It's always a sad sight to see some history go by the wayside.

maxamillion Loc: Hampden Maine

photo guy wrote:

quote=maxamillion My son and I were photographing... (show quote)

Thank you for remarking on my pictures. Does this mean I was able to convey that feeling to you through the pictures?

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

maxamillion wrote:

quote=photo guy quote=maxamillion My son and I w... (show quote)

Yes, good work.

tvsnan

I think even without your explanation, I would have gotten the "abandoned" feeling here. I love old train depots, and it's always so sad to see them non-operational.
I especially like the one of the tracks, as well as your point of view in the last one.
Thanks for sharing your story!

maxamillion Loc: Hampden Maine

tvsnan wrote:

I think even without your explanation, I would have gotten the "abandoned" feeling here. I love old train depots, and it's always so sad to see them non-operational.
I especially like the one of the tracks, as well as your point of view in the last one.
Thanks for sharing your story!

Thank you for commenting--There is a lot of history in those tracks and stations.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Yes, your pictures do convey a certain sadness. What is really sad is that the C.P. finally took over the Sooline several years back and now the mighty Soo is no more.

maxamillion Loc: Hampden Maine

tainkc wrote:

Yes, your pictures do convey a certain sadness. What is really sad is that the C.P. finally took over the Sooline several years back and now the mighty Soo is no more.

Thank you for looking at my pictures. It really is sad. I know there is a line that still runs through that town but it is a struggle for it. I remember the days of the round house and the "yard" engine and people using the passenger train. Such an important part of our history seems to be disappearing.

Roger Salls Loc: Stratford, CT

Maxamillion,
On your second image try cropping the image from just below the signal to the bottom, That's a very powerfull image and to me conveys the very feeling you're speaking of also try converting to a high contrast B&W. This image has so much power I can't believe it. Truly beautiful!

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

The last shot is very powerful ... it looks alone and forgotten... Well done.

maxamillion Loc: Hampden Maine

Roger Salls wrote:

Maxamillion,
On your second image try cropping the image from just below the signal to the bottom, That's a very powerfull image and to me conveys the very feeling you're speaking of also try converting to a high contrast B&W. This image has so much power I can't believe it. Truly beautiful!

Thank you very much Roger. I haven't tried using B&W but I will give it a go. I will crop and convert and post later.

B&W cropped
B&W cropped...

maxamillion Loc: Hampden Maine

photogrl57 wrote:

The last shot is very powerful ... it looks alone and forgotten... Well done.

Thank you photogrl57--I appreciate the compliment, especially coming from you!

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

maxamillion wrote:

Roger Salls wrote:

Maxamillion,
On your second image try cropping the image from just below the signal to the bottom, That's a very powerfull image and to me conveys the very feeling you're speaking of also try converting to a high contrast B&W. This image has so much power I can't believe it. Truly beautiful!

Thank you very much Roger. I haven't tried using B&W but I will give it a go. I will crop and convert and post later.

This one is much better to view this way ..... it leaves more to the imagination ...not so sure I would have cropped it that much but it's a great option for this second photo

maxamillion Loc: Hampden Maine

Thank you photogrl57--I wouldn't have thought of doing it this way. That is why I like this forum--people here help expand my learning.

Tammyannk Loc: fort wayne IN

There is something about Railroad tracks that just seem timeless. Love the photo.