Missing the Shot By a Split-Second…
A UP rail train makes the turn north at Tower 26 in Houston on Feb. 28. 2010
I almost didn’t even stop to photograph this train as the light was very sketchy, but when I heard it would take the diverging route at Tower 26, I decide to give it a try.
As the light on the train was nosy, I put the 70-200 lens on the camera to get a head-on shot. I took a few shots as it went through the switch, and put the camera down to watch the train go by.
As it started making the turn, I suddenly noticed that the signals would make a nice framing element. I quickly brought the camera back up and took this shot, but I knew that I had missed it.
In the 2-3 seconds it took to compose and focus, the lead engine had traveled just far enough to be partially obscured by the signal cabinet.
After uttering a few choice adjectives about my mistake, I resolved to do the shot right the next time the opportunity presents itself at Tower 26.
Southwest Rails 