Cajon Pass

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted October 24, 2011849 views9 comments

First, thanks to Paul Duval for mentioning the location of the trains on Cajon Pass.

Not the best location up in the hills but until I return, this will have to do. In processing I wanted to capture the essence of the history of the area.

The California Southern Railroad, a subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, was the first railroad to use the Cajon Pass as a route through the mountains. The rail line through the pass was built in the early 1880s as part of a connection between the present day cities of Barstow and San Diego.

Today the trains are run by the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway; 150 trains per day travel through the area.

This was shot with a D700, 70-200mm lens, tripod, f/9 1/400 s, ISO 200, spot metering, @ 75mm.

Thanks in advance for looking and leaving your comments and suggestions.

Regards,

Carol

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on October 24, 2011 at 7:58 PM

Cool image! Great gray and white image except for the engines. This reminds me of the calendars that the railroads used to publish (my uncle was a division superintendent for the rival Union Pacific, so I'm probably in trouble for liking this shot).

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on October 25, 2011 at 12:40 AM

Very well done Carol. Even before reading your notes I thought this has a real old time feel to it, so mission accomplished. I really like the sweep of the train making those curves leading deep into the photo.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 25, 2011 at 1:18 PM

I really like the old time character this has Carol. It reminds me of an elaborate model train display. I also like the muted colors. The train seems to go on forever as it snakes through the landscape. I would not want be stuck at a RR crossing waiting for that monster to pass!

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on October 26, 2011 at 7:51 AM

Carol,

I like the way you desaturated the color, it does give an old timey feel to it. This looks like you were near the eastern spot. However the overlook I shot from was a little further east and uphill from here. The way the train is curving through the landscape it looks like a giant iron snake.

Paul

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on October 26, 2011 at 10:09 AM

This is one of those images that keep your interest. Lots to see and the desaturated colors make a pleasant viewing experience. Good comp, too.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on October 26, 2011 at 11:30 PM

Wow, this looks like it's from an old hand-tinted post card. Nice catch with the long train in perfect position.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Pam Colander on October 27, 2011 at 1:53 AM

This is spectacular Carol! It looks like a shot from the 50s or 60s. Excellent processing and composition.

Registered on December 7, 2006, 210 Posts, 1062 Comments

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on October 31, 2011 at 1:04 PM

Beautifully done !

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 1, 2011 at 11:45 AM

Hi Carol, Excellent work with this. I think you really captured the feel of history here. I'm sure not so easy to do.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments