Fuji X-Ploits; How To Solve A Photographic Problem

X-T1, 55-200mm lens @ 74.1mm; 1/500th sec. @ f/10; ISO 640; Original image with people (click to enlarge)

Notice not only the people on the left and right, but also the front right of the red SUV on the left edge
of the frame and the white pickup truck behind the boy with the red shirt, both of which pulled up
just before the train arrived. When photographing special trains, many people arrive, jump out of their vehicles
then run into your frame just before the train arrives.  One has to anticipate this because there is
little time to try to make adjustments, so you have to think ahead of time how to solve these issues.

A few days ago, I posted some black and white images of a steam locomotive I chased across southern Virginia.  Two of the three images I posted were not as they would seem. Why? Read on. 

In the images I made at the time the train passed through, included in the photograph were individuals who also there to watch the train (see above).  My visualization of a final image did not include any people.  I had envisioned just the locomotive and train in the setting, without anyone else there.

So, I had a problem. How could I realize the image I had envisioned with all those people present?  How would I accomplish that?  Here is my basic problem solving methodology.

1.  Realize early that there will be a problem.  The key words are realize and early.
2.  Clearly identify and define what the problem is
3.  Determine what solutions are available to you
4.  Determine which is the best solution
5.  Implement that best solution
6.  Analyze the results and ascertain if the solution provided the result desired
7.  If the solution didn't produce the desired results, go back and modify the solution you had first implemented or reassess the problem and possible solutions and repeat

In my case, I realized that there would be a number of individuals in my final photograph due to the nature of the event.  I also realized there was nothing I could do about it due to the nature of the area in which I was photographing.  In other words, there was no way for me to make the image without the individuals in it.  I couldn't change position nor focal length to eliminate the people. I asked myself how could I craft my final envisioned image in spite of all of the people who were in the frame who also wanted to experience the steam locomotive?

My solution was relatively easy.  Because I had my cameras firmly set on tripods, framed exactly for the image I wanted before the locomotive arrived, best focal length of my lenses set as well as the camera set for manual exposure, I could implement my solution without much effort. Before the train arrived, I made a couple of test shots to check focus and exposure.  I normally do that just to appease my internal obsessiveness for everything to go as planned.

When the train arrived, I made my exposures with all of the individuals in my image. However, after the train passed, I did NOT immediately remove my cameras from the tripods and pack them away in the car as almost all the other photogrpahers present did. My solution to my problem was to wait, with my gear still in place, nothing changed either in exact camera position nor exposure, for everyone to leave the area, then make an exposure of the same scene with no people or train in it.  Why?

This is the image I made after everyone left (click to enlarge)

Later, at home at my computer I knew I would have two identical images.  One would have the steam locomotive and all of the people.  The other would have only the existing background—the station, trees, tracks, etc.  In Photoshop, I would layer the image with people and locomotive on top of the one of just the background.  I would then create a mask and simply mask out the people and, in this case, a couple of vehicles.  Very easy and straightforward. 

By recognizing before the train even arrived that I was not going to be able to create the image I had envisioned, I was able to devise a solution before I even pressed the shutter button.  Because I came up with a viable solution early on in the photographic process, I could set everything in place to accomplish the solution, rather than try to come up with something afterwards.  I was able to successfully accomplish my goal of making an image of the steam locomotive pulling through Pamplin with, apparently, no one around. Excellent!  I like when a plan comes together!

The image, as originally made, is at the top of the post.  The finished image is just below.

X-T1, 55-200mm lens @ 74.1mm; 1/500th sec. @ f/10; ISO 640; Final image as envisioned. (click to enlarge)
This is how I envisioned the final image, before conversion to black and white.  No people, just the locomotive
and surroundings, cropped and all extraneous and distracting "stuff" in the image removed.

Lessons Learned:  Think, anticipate, identify potential problems and implement solutions early.

Many of my images can be found at www.dennismook.com.  Please pay it a visit.  I add new images regularly. I've just added a gallery featuring all M4/3 images.  Soon, I will be adding a gallery of all Fuji X-Trans images. Thank you.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook

All content on this blog is © 2013-2015 Dennis A. Mook.  All Rights Reserved.  Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution.  Permission may be granted for commercial use.  Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.