Photos through a train window. Photo Gallery by John B. Chandler at pbase.com

Photos through a train window.

These photos were taken on a 2,443 mile train trip (round trip) from Austin, Texas to Chicago, IL. Very few were taken in sunlight. Most were taken in cloudy, overcast light, through a heavily tinted train window. Some were taken standing still, some going slowly, and some zipping along at 65 MPH. Being a photographer, I took it as a challenge to see if I could consistently get decent photos under a great variety of conditions. Well, it was much more difficult than I imagined.

For the most part, I failed the challenge to document all interesting, and sometime beautiful, subjects one could see out of of a window during a cross country train trip. Plus one gets to see lots of backyards, where many folks put things they don't want you to see. I got far fewer "keepers," than success. Naturally, most of the big ones got away:-). Actually, they really did.

Below are a few of the better ones. Blur, of one kind or the other, was the greatest problem, whether it was focus, subject motion, or camera movement. The solution?

More "good" images would have been possible with 5-axis image stabilization, and higher ISO capability which could have made higher shutter speeds possible. All arguments for me to buy a new camera. Right?

However, even with a more capable camera, there would still be a big problem. Sitting in my cabin, looking out the window, with the train at speed, I had only about two seconds to raise the camera, compose and get the shot, especially when subjects were near the train. That's about as quickly as I can move and doesn't give much, if any, time for adjustments.

Since I enjoy the relaxed, leisurely pace of train travel, I'll probably give it another try. Hopefully it will be in a prettier time of year, with nice weather.

Thanks for looking.

--John C.

Click on image for larger view. NOTE: Please don't expect technical or aesthetic precision. This is intended to be a picture story about things one can see from the window of a train, and the photographic difficulties involved, with examples that show the warts and all. Thanks for looking.
-John C.

Part of Austin skyline on foggy morning	Bird flying below wires on a foggy morning, Austin, Texas	Bird flying above wires on a foggy morning, Austin, Texas	Grafetti on old building, Austin, TX
Grafetti and vines at entry way, Austin,TX	Broken tin over windows, Austin, TX	Liquor in Taylor, TX	Railroad museum, Temple, TX
A 4-6-4 Steam engine, Temple, TX	Caboose, Temple, TX	Missouri Pacific Lines, Temple, TX	Caboose to Caboose, Temple, TX
Old desiel engine, Temple, TX	Art along a river bank. Temple, TX	The Hangout, Temple, TX	River and bridge
Farm with white house	Barn and John Deere	White church	Grass waves, near Ft. Worth
Flood control on Trinity River, Ft. Worth, TX	Approching Ft. Worth	South Side, Ft. Worth	Stairs, Ft. Worth
Overpass and buildings, Ft. Worth, TX	Under overpass, and train tracks, Ft. Worth, TX	UT Arlington, in Ft. Worth	Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District, Dallas, TX
Ball tower through observation car window, Dallas, TX	Under ball tower	Reflection, Dallas, TX	Reflection #2, Dallas, TX
Freeway, Dallas, TX	Airplane over Dallas	METER building, Dallas, TX	A "fresh air" break in Dallas, TX
Tower near Dallas	Bridges and spillway	Construction site	Friday night lights football stadium
5 trees and one goner	Three smoke stacks	Jet airplane	Farm late in the day
Somewhere in east Texas	Lots of trucks in east Texas	Fireworks stand	American pride in east Texas
Mineola, TX	Gazeibo in Mineola, TX	RR track repair equipement	Two generations, father and daughter with different points of view
Woods of east Texas	Friday night football stadium #2	East Texas park	Train station, Longview, TX
Sun through clouds	House on a hill	Swolen river	Late in the day
Chemical plant near Marshall, TX	Sunset through a fast moving train window	Little Rock, Arkansas, with state capital Bldg.	Art along the tracks in Popular Bluff, MO
Popular Bluff, MO	Old barn In Missouri	Industural complex	Two towers nearing St. Louis
Station in St. Louis, MO	Departing St. Louis	Over a river	Railroad crossing, watch for the cars. Can you spell that without any r's?
Roadway and concrete	Farm in early morning fog	Farm in early morning fog #2	Barn and windmill in early morning fog
Farm with blue barns in early morning fog	Birds in flight	Train station in Joliet, IL	Detail of Joliet, IL train station
Cathedral in Joliet, IL	L Y, Chicago	Hump yard, Chicago, IL	Yachiting activity in Chicago during the winter months
The end of the line	My sleeper cabin	My cabin	This is a great country.

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