Caboose Lighting Challenges

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Looks great Tim.

I find that when I’ve photographed my passenger cars that have interior lighting, it’s far more intense in pictures.

Craig

That's something I noticed too. Cameras (and phones) are much more sensitive to radiated light and tend to balance "light and dark" like that poorly.

[davefoxx]

I would think that light in the cupola at night would be the last thing the conductor wants, if he/she's trying to see the train ahead at night.  If you've ridden a passenger train, you know that you cannot see out at night when the interior lights are on.

DFF

[Mark5]

That's something I noticed too. Cameras (and phones) are much more sensitive to radiated light and tend to balance "light and dark" like that poorly.

This type of lighting situation separates the true photographers from the smart phone wanna be's! 

I would think that light in the cupola at night would be the last thing the conductor wants, if he/she's trying to see the train ahead at night.  If you've ridden a passenger train, you know that you cannot see out at night when the interior lights are on.

So very true.

[peteski]

In majority of models the commercially made interior lighting is hugely out of scale (too bright).  Usually because it is expected to be seen in daylight conditions.  BLI PRR coach with the "nuclear glow" is a perfect example.

But when a modeler installs custom lighting (and actually operates his layout during simulated nighttime sessions) they have the ability to adjust the brightness to a more realistic level.

But mark is right -- there are ways to play with the camera settings and with the level of ambient light to achieve nice realistic nighttime shots.  But Ed jut lets his camera make all the decisions (in many cases achieve stunning results). 

[BCR 570]

Tough crowd.  Yes this was a quick cell phone gab while the caboose as on my friend Dave's test track during a quick visit down to Portland OR.  Left the SLR at home.

Photo was taken with the room lights off so yes the interior light looks far more intense than it actually is; it was turned down 75% using the LokProgrammer.

Yes, no lights up in the cupola as it would have ruined their night vision.  Usually a single light bulb on the caboose ceiling and a work light at the conductor's desk.


Tim

[trainforfun]

Tough crowd.  Yes this was a quick cell phone gab while the caboose as on my friend Dave's test track during a quick visit down to Portland OR.  Left the SLR at home.

Photo was taken with the room lights off so yes the interior light looks far more intense than it actually is; it was turned down 75% using the LokProgrammer.

Yes, no lights up in the cupola as it would have ruined their night vision.  Usually a single light bulb on the caboose ceiling and a work light at the conductor's desk.


Tim

Great job !!!!

[sirenwerks]

Tough crowd.

Tim, the cabooses are gorgeous, seriously.  M<y thought was more rationalizing out loud than criticism.  I didn't mean to be as harsh as that lighting.