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Such an amazing facility isn't it? I never would have thought in this day an age that a structure like that would be built, and with such attention to detail. Truely a thrill for such a place to exist today.
Wow, it looks like a model! I would love to work there.
I took those aerial shots a few weeks ago, and finally had a chance to visit the site last week, for the first time in two years. The last time I was there the roundhouse was still a skeleton. It is an absolutely amazing place, with the old and new mixed in quite nicely. The pictures do not do it justice, because the place is HUGE.
The next - and final - series of aerial shots will have some steam locomotives spotted outdoors around the table, some of the round house doors will be open with engines in the house and an engine will be spotted on the table. This will happen in a few weeks.
The Age of Steam Roundhouse is an amazing testament to Jerry Jacobson's passion for the steam locomotive.
I'm just blown away by the whole thing. First it takes a huge amount of money to do this and what are the odds of finding an individual in this day and age with a vision like this AND the money to do it. It's also so very sad that his health is failing and he might not be around for a long time to come to enjoy it.
But it is definitely history in the making. Nice pictures Rich. Were you in the left seat and holding the camera too? If you were then they are really nice pictures.
I tried it once but the Pic's came out a little fuzzy but it was a hot day and a little bouncy .
David
Rich,
Truly spectacular!
When will the coal dock be built?
Originally Posted by DPC:
It's also so very sad that his health is failing and he might not be around for a long time to come to enjoy it.
Where did you get that idea? Jerry is fine.
No, I was not flying and shooting the pictures. I rent a Cessna 172 and a pilot for this. I just shoot the pictures and go for a ride. The key to sharp aerial images is a fast shutter speed. You can open the lens pretty wide because you are shooting something that is a long way off, so depth of field is not an issue. I use 1/1,000 second and something around f4 or so, depending the light.
I don't think Jerry is going to put in a coal dock. For the rare times when they will have to load coal in a locomotive, I think they decided it was not worth the cost.
David, if ypu use an automatice mode in your camera, set it to Shutter Priority and set it to the fastest shutter speed it can do. If you have 1/1000 available, use it. If not, use 1/500 and you'll be OK. Let the camera set the f-stop, or you can use full manual mode and set it yourself. If the lense ends up wide open it's not a problem because of the shooting distance. When shooting a subject 1,000+ feet away, depth of field is not an issue, so a small f-stop number is OK.
The fast shutter speed minimizes camera movement and vibration, both of which can be a problem in an aircraft.
Originally Posted by OGR Webmaster:
David, if ypu use an automatice mode in your camera, set it to Shutter Priority and set it to the fastest shutter speed it can do. If you have 1/1000 available, use it. If not, use 1/500 and you'll be OK. Let the camera set the f-stop, or you can use full manual mode and set it yourself. If the lense ends up wide open it's not a problem because of the shooting distance. When shooting a subject 1,000+ feet away, depth of field is not an issue, so a small f-stop number is OK.
The fast shutter speed minimizes camera movement and vibration, both of which can be a problem in an aircraft.
Thanks for the tips Rich. I want try that. My daughter took some camera classes in college and I'm trying to learn from her. She was just a little thing when I last tried my hand at an aeriel photo. I guess my best bet is to get her to shoot the photo's and let me do the flying(C-152)
I better get them soon as she's about to start with Trans State airlines starting June 4. I always wanted to fly for a living but couldn't pass the eyesight requirements . Boy I envy her and boy they grow up fast.
David
I can't wait to see the shots with engines spotted (and I can hope something either in steam or looking like it.) For those who haven't been by, it's absolutely jaw-dropping.
(FWIW, I'd heard the same rumor about Jerry's health. It's good to see that it wasn't true and I hope he and his wife have many happy years with his big train set.)
Originally Posted by OGR Webmaster:
When shooting a subject 1,000+ feet away, depth of field is not an issue, so a small f-stop number is OK.
The fast shutter speed minimizes camera movement and vibration, both of which can be a problem in an aircraft.
Years ago, I shot aerials in the Navy, we would tape the lens at infinity as there was no reason to focus unless you got REALLY close to your target. We also used high contrast (both B&W and color negative (VCS)) film to help off set the lost of contrast when you are in the air on a less than perfect day. Some digital cameras today have settings to enhance hue, or color brightness, in camera and you might be able to do this in post processing (ie photoshop) as well. Depending on your target and the rules involved, it will be better to use a shorter lens and get closer to your target than a longer focal length lens and be farther from the target.
Bob B
All good advice, Bob.
Oh, one more that is common sense but easily over looked. Don't allow the camera to touch the aircraft frame (or window). This will help eliminate blur from vibrations, even when you use a fast shutter speed.
Bob
