lloydslensphotographyllc

Trains, Timing and A Winter Drive.

As I was on my way to my day job today the snow was still falling. Along the way I looked up and spotted the train crossing the curved bridge across the Kanawha River. (I couldn’t safely get to spot were I could catch the train over the water. ) The snow, the bare trees and the tracks all came together in just the right way. I was told by a marketing expert that I should do more railroad themed images and West Virginia does give me plenty of opportunities to photograph trains. I particularly like to catch the trains “in their natural habitat ” rather than the show trains in the tourist attractions. Although I do plan to visit those “farm raised ” trains eventually. The coal on this train is more than likely headed for the foundry just a half of a mile behind me. (0.805 kilometers) . The modern engines are a lot quieter than one would expect. As the train passed I could still here the talk radio show playing in my truck.

I still plan to try and get a shot of the train over the water but I’ll need to be there at just the right time with the right telephoto lens. There’s simply not enough room for the train and the photographer to get the right angle any other way.

For my international friends who are curious about the Appalachian winter here’s a voice command snapshot from my cellphone in its hands free mount on my dashboard. (Cropped to eliminate the front of the truck)

The snow was melted away by lunchtime. 😀

A Promise

Color Photography, West Virginia

Every storm should end with a rainbow. The Bible says that God gave us the rainbow as a sign that he would never flood the entire world again. When times get dark and stressful we should look for the promise that things are not going to be tough forever. The storms will eventually pass.

International Women’s Day

Color Photography, Uncategorized

I’ve have always been blessed to be surrounded by beautiful women my whole life. From my mother who raised me to my wife that loves me in spite of imperfection. Thank you to all the friends, coworkers and “adopted sisters” have truly enriched my life.

Thank you, each and every one of you. ❤

Light & Shadow

black and white photography, Thoughts and Musing

At the moment I snapped the image above a dark cloud cast it’s shadow on the river. The resulting contrast highlights the mountain in background giving us the impression of a destination within our reach. It’s when the darkness overshadows my life that I truly appreciate the goal ahead. It’s the shadow that that defines the light.

The dark times that come to us are like the passing clouds. They come and go. Without the shadow this would be just another image of the train trestle crossing the Gauley River. Without the rainy days the river would dry up and my mountains would be just another pile of rocks. The dark times in our lives bring the life giving rain and as it passes and light returns we can see how close we are to home.

A Gathering

Color Photography, wildlife

Friends gather to enjoy the warm sun and retell old stories. Perhaps he’ll recount the story about escaping from a hungry bird. She’ll tell the one about the sweetest bloom ever. There’s love and laughter in the warm sun. There will be a game of chase and spectacular aerial dances between sips of nectar. Life returns to the meadow and all is right with the world.