View Full Version : West midlands / staffordshire area meet **5th sept**
Following on from my other thread I thought I'd actually try to arrange a midlands meet up / learn together.
For me it'll have to be a Sunday but I'm afraid I don't have any ideas where to meet up.
Any suggestions?
Who's in?
cannockwolf
10-08-2010, 20:31
id be interested, Sundays are best for me too.
Sorry..replied on the other thread before I saw this one.
I'd be up for this. I suppose there are plenty of places depending what everyone wants from it.
giantwolf
11-08-2010, 11:20
Yeah, I'm interested and sundays are as good a day as any for me.
I'll have a think of suggestions for locations but agree with above - it depends on what the people attending want to do.
Well for me being a beginner I'm happy to try anything as I'll be very much observing and trying to take in all i can from you more skilled guys.
Shall we bound a few dates around? I guess a few weeks notice will be best and it might be best to avoid the bank holiday sunday:
5th September?
12th September?
CaptainPenguin
11-08-2010, 12:04
I'm up for this for suggestions maybe Brindley place and the Canals,Black Country Museum,Severn Valley railwy
Any of those sound good with a variety of different subjects.
5th *should* be good for me as long as I dont get collared to work.
Ok lets pencil in for 5th september for time being and see who else can make it, be nice to get a handful of folk!
That day's good for me also, have pencilled it in the diary
At the momnent the 5th Sept is good for me.
CaptainPenguin
14-08-2010, 06:14
Sorry cant make the 5th as I will be at the opening of the AFC Wulfrunians ground at Castlecroft and their match against a Wolves All Star team,as club photographer I cant really miss it
We could always do the following week? The more the merrier!
Some good locations suggested, if you do pick the SVR then vehicle access is essential for the better vantage points, and if you go quite early to Bridgnorth you can get the locos being steamed up on shed. That date is good for me, railways are my comfort zone, but by no means am I a total expert (too young for that).
CaptainPenguin
14-08-2010, 10:08
We could always do the following week? The more the merrier!
And on the 12th is the Narrowboat festival at Windmill End Netherton that could be a good place for a get together
I'm easy about location and date. Might be wise to have a back up indoor location going by the awful weather recently?
giantwolf
14-08-2010, 17:56
I definitely can't make the 5th but there is no guarantee I can make the 12th at the moment either :D
Press on ahead without me and I'll keep a watch on the thread and if my plans change I'll come. If not, hopefully there'll be a next time.
yeah hopefully we can get a good handful to come to this one and then arrange another for a couple of months time of something. don't see why the southerners should have all the fun ;-)
And on the 12th is the Narrowboat festival at Windmill End Netherton that could be a good place for a get together
That looks interesting. I could be up for popping along there for a couple of hours
Photoshooter
15-08-2010, 21:09
Hi Cris
Could be interested will need to know when date is finally agreed
Seems we've got a few heads up for it then.
What is everyones preferred date and we'll go with the majority?
John Howells
18-08-2010, 18:42
I can do the 5th, too. :thumbs:
I can do the 5th too, and I'm not too fussed on venue as it'd do me good to try something new. I still have a lot to learn I think.
Brilliant, game on then for 5th sept. How about the SVR then? or does anyoen know an indoor venue?
Watching with interest, although I can't do the 5th as it's my Daughters birthday that day :)
If nothing else pops up I'll try to come along also :)
I cant make it that day as will be on holiday but will certainly be up to meet when you arrange another one Chris.
If you do go to SVR have words *** every time I go up there they are running the trains backwards and it doesnt make for good pics.
Brilliant, game on then for 5th sept. How about the SVR then? or does anyoen know an indoor venue?
I'm not sure on an indoor venue but I can sort out finding out what trains face what direction. Would people be wanting to do the whole 'period railway' thing, in which case all stations except Kidderminster and Highley are fine (Kiddy was built more recently and has modern urban backdrop, highley just had a big footbridge built by the station) are great for that. Bewdley and Bridgnorth are the sheds where they 'steam up' the locos but you need to be early doors for them, like 07:00 onwards really. I know a lot of good lineside locations, but it will be great if we can find an indoor backup venue somewhere around there incase the weather goes bad. highley has a new museum, but due to size versus visitor numbers they don't permit tripods, so it wouldn't really be suitable.
For info, I will be coming from Redditch and have a 7-seater vehicle with bags of boot space, especially in 5-seat guise. Just thinking of doing our bit for the environment with the meet if I can pick anyone up who's sort of on the way. I have sat-nav so any liftees just gimme an address and postcode and I should be able to find you.
Timetable for the date of 5th Sept is http://www.svr.co.uk/CalendarTimetable.aspx
Just remember to select the date for a proper look.
The trains in white are a dining service which will be running as it is a Sunday that we're going to shoot. They normally use an engine that faces Bridgnorth for this, but they could surprise us of course.
Matt can we leave it to you to plan the best course of action for the day then as i have no knowledge whatsoever of railways? I don't mind highley or kiddiminster as they are both about an hours drive..wouldnt be there for 07.00 though!
If anyone from Stafford area needs a lift please get in touch, I've got an A3 so can fit a couple of passengers in.
Okay, like I said, feel free for anyone to suggest an indoor backup plan close by. Highley and Kiddy are the stations to NOT photograph, it's all the others which get the period feel so well done. I know some nice lineside places, viaducts, tunnels, countryside scenes and the stations are nice too. In the interests of not zooming around all day (which I do by myself) we can stick to the southern section for the first part and finish the day on the top end of the line.
It's advisable (not just financially) to either bring your own food and drink, or collect some stuff when we meet at Kidderminster, it turns into a retail wilderness pretty quickly, but it makes the shots worthwhile. All stations have 'facilities' should people require.
Some of the nicer places have short walks (in the region of 10mins), so if we have people who can't really be doing that, just say and I'll refine the locations we do use.
Meet at Kidderminster station car park that is shared between the Severn Valley and the national networks railway station too, about 09:00 would be good, then we can discuss what people are looking to get and what to learn/teach (if at all). Look forward to seeing you on the 5th September folks, now we have a venue and date set, do people who are attending want to re-affirm that fact. It could be that we could all meet, park up, and use one vehicle if need be. I'd suggest some fairly rugged footwear just incase.
CaptainPenguin
19-08-2010, 14:07
Although I am unable to make the 5th I have got to disagree with the comments about Highley,since the building of the Engine House the angles to take varied shots here have really opened up and I find I spend more time here thann any of the other stations on the linethe following link may convince you why I like this station so much
http://www.flickr.com/photos/captainpenguin/sets/72157623994711311/
cannockwolf
19-08-2010, 14:09
Im OK for this
9.00am...er I'll do my best, I don't knwo which is the best venue so I'm easy going. ideally one thats close to an indoor one if it rains!
Well 09:00-09:30, depending on numbers it can never go like clockwork. Quite looking forward to seeing what other pieces of kit and any little nuggets of info people have to share. This will be my first TP meet, I'll get planning stuff tonight, feel a bit under pressure now though :) I'll also have a look for any indoor activities that may be close by to rescue a total weather fail as well.
Thats wicked cheers Matt. Its my first meet too, in fact i've only owned an slr for a month or so so I'm quite a novice, just hope I can pick up a few tips and get some decent shots in the process.
Hopefully we can arrange these meets every couple of months so that everyone can get along and share ideas. Maybe next time I'll try to arrange a studio session so that we are learning a wide range of skills?
Agree with CaptainPenguin about Highley and the Engine House is good fun if the weathers naff. Lots of opportunities for shallow DOF detail shots. Just make sure you've got steady hands, tripods not allowed.
Sadly I can't make the 5th, paid photography takes priority
neillewi
19-08-2010, 20:48
I would love to come to the meet but im away on business, but would love a list or a map of the best veiwing places
mumrar - could you help me out on this one?
I would love to come to the meet but im away on business, but would love a list or a map of the best veiwing places
mumrar - could you help me out on this one?
Hopefully all being well we'll get another meet up planned for November time or something of the sort.
Mumrar I shall be away for this meet but would certainly look forward to other meets in the furure. So hope you all have a great day.
Would you be so kind to do me a route map of best viewing places as I am not far away in Worcester and would love to see where you are going.
many thanks Les
Photoshooter
21-08-2010, 21:54
Hi
Count me in for the 5th Looking forward to it
Ok, plans are coming up nicely, some nice stations, nice rural locations, I'll not be doing maps for the other folks until this meets done though.
The shortlist so far:
Myself
Cris_L
Cannockwolf
Photoshooter
DaveRed now added
I'll edit this to add anymore that are received.
Seems this meet us coming together nicely, where's the meeting place going to be? I'll be the guy with a camera ha ha!
Thought I'd put that earlier, sorry if not. Meeting place will be at Kidderminster station car park. Depending on how many people and cars it may be a good idea to then leave for some free parking somewhere close by, and then take everyone off in one vehicle. As said previously, I have space for 6 passengers available, but might be better to say 5 due to kit space LOL
Bear in mind that there are TWO car parks at Kidderminster. One each side of the station. As you face the station, the left side car park is shared with the BR station, the one down the right hand side is the SVR's own. Is it better to meet in front of the King & Castle, in case people park in different car parks (thats the pub right next to the ticket office).
I'm up for this...although im there the previous Sunday as well because Ark Royal is out to play.
Bear in mind that there are TWO car parks at Kidderminster.
Yep, guilty as charged there. We can't just walk off and meet in case the car park Police are after us, and in front of the King & Castle is reserved for coaches and disabled drop-offs. We'll make it meet up at the main railway car park, this is the car park between the SVR station and the London Midland mainline station. Sorry for being ambiguous.
Matt - count me in for this! Fingers crossed we get some decent weather!
Righto chappies, coming along nicely, although I still can't think of a suitable indoor venue. So the list is now
Me
Cris_L
Cannockwolf
Photoshooter
DaveRed
Ferret
That's my car full for the jaunts after meeting up, so if there's anymore we'll have to use another vehicle. I'll bring some prints from various locations so people can vote for where they'd like to try.
I'll be driving anyway (nervous passenger!), so i will also have space for another couple of people.
CaptainPenguin
25-08-2010, 09:03
Although as I said earlier in the thread I have a charity footy match in the afternoon I will try and get there for an hour or so in the morning if for nothing else just to meet up with you guys
Just bare in mind folks that its still the school holidays, so it may well be VERY busy. Hope you all enjoy yourselves.
Cheers Dawn, it should be fine as we'll mainly be doing lineside rather than a lot of station work
Have a great time, just thought Id mention it, as I know how busy it can get there during the mad times :)
John Howells
26-08-2010, 12:24
Add me to the list to attend this, please.
Thanks,
John.
Brilliant, so the list so far is:
Mumrar
Cris_L
Cannockwolf
Photoshooter
DaveRed
Ferret
John Howells
Thanks for taking over the organising of the finer details of this meet for me Mumrar, seems you have an excellent knowledge of the SVR so I'm sure its going to be a great success!
Indeed. Nice one mumrar.
I have spent a good percentage of my mis-spent life at the SVR (am shareholder in a couple of locos there), and yet ive only once been linesiding! Shame on me.
jambosam
26-08-2010, 14:21
Keeping my eye on this have a great day out :)
Sadly i cannot make this date but would love to come along to future meets :)
Sam
Hi Sam, another local then. I'm hoping to arrange these meets on a fairly regular basis as there are always some people who want to attand but can't. we'll also try to vary the theme a lot, maybe next time studio work or landscape etc
nikonuser
26-08-2010, 17:39
Just watching at the moment but could be very interested will sort something out over the week end will be coming from Stoke on Trent
Dave
Hey, that's more like it, numbers getting up nicely. I'm very keyed up for this now, we just need to wait on the weather now. It's gonna be good to see what sort of kit and ideas we can all come up with on the day, the logistical side is now all dealt with in my head, going to commit what's required to paper soon.
Certainly good to bend a few ears. I'd also think it a good idea for discussion at dinner and/or possible indoor activity caused by weather for people to bring along some of their favourite photos. Nothing like a good chinwag with like-minded folk I think.
Roll on Sunday!!
jambosam
28-08-2010, 12:26
Hi Sam, another local then. I'm hoping to arrange these meets on a fairly regular basis as there are always some people who want to attand but can't. we'll also try to vary the theme a lot, maybe next time studio work or landscape etc
Hi Chris yes very local mate :)
Looking forward to being involved in future meets and as i'm a beginner will be great to pick up tips and advice aswell as meeting fellow photographers :)
Like a numpty I have managed to double book myself, so I am going to have to drop out of this one. If you have as glorious an afternoon as we did at the SVR yesterday, itll be fine.
Sorry folks. Ill make the next one...
No worries Dave, these things happen.
So can I just confirm its 9.30 at kidderminster, is this the place?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=kidderminster+railway+google+maps&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Kidderminster+Railway+Station&gl=uk&ei=Ojp9TLvYGMKSjAewl-jSDg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CB4Q8gEwAA
Not long now guys, get those batteries charged!
Just thought it may be useful as i'm coordinating this, incase of any navigational issues or otherwise, here's my mobile number
07832926527
Fingers crossed for the weather, really looking forward to this meet.
cheers, was going to ask you for your no in case I get lost!
mine is 07870269856 shoudl anybody need it. I'll be leaving stafford at about 8.30 tomorrow so should be theer about 9.30.
cannockwolf
05-09-2010, 20:06
thanks for the day oput today matt, heres one of the ones i took, im posting here to link to the photo
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=2966494#post2966494
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=257661
John Howells
05-09-2010, 21:21
Yes, thanks to Chris for putting this meet up, to Matt for taking us everywhere, very organised and informative and to everyone else who came, it was good to meet you all.
Thanks for the kind words despite the false start from me and the weather! I thoroughly enjoyed the day, good to be able to chat and learn or impart knowledge where appropriate. I'm yet too finish my shots, but it's good to see that the overcast day made me think differently to my normal style of railway photography, and I've got some shots I'm really happy with.
well it was a great day and I think we all got along really well too.
Mumrar's knowledge of the railways was second to non, it was a very planned and informative day.
i've got a few shots I'm happy with so need to get them downloaded and post a couple up over this week.
Roll on the next meet!!
Photoshooter
06-09-2010, 15:02
Thanks Chris for arranging the day out and to Mat driving us round and sharing his knowledge of trains with us. I had a great day with a realy good bunch of lads, looking forward to the next meet Jim
Had a bash at one, more work needed yet!
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=2970061#post2970061
I'm liking the shots that have been posted and can't wait to see the rest. I've picked a top 6 from the day, which can be found on this thread:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=2970762#post2970762
cannockwolf
07-09-2010, 07:34
heres another
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=2970952#post2970952
Photoshooter
07-09-2010, 12:33
Bear with me 1st time loaded pictures how do you load more than 1 a time from your gallery?
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=95168&ppuser=30489
Photoshooter
07-09-2010, 12:38
Here's Another one
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=95164&ppuser=30489
Photoshooter
07-09-2010, 12:39
And Another
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=95165&ppuser=30489
giantwolf
07-09-2010, 18:56
Nice work all, shame I couldn't make but I'll try and get to the next one.
Nice shots Jim, I like some of the different angles you got of the trains at bridgnorth, and there's some good people stuff too
and a couple more....
Quite dissapointed with my shots for the day, i really struggled with the shy and am struggling to rescue any shots of trains.
these are a bit naff, just of the fire buckets
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=2974280#post2974280
Photoshooter
08-09-2010, 22:02
Tried b/w Conversion
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/B_W_conversion.jpg (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=95266)
cannockwolf
08-09-2010, 22:04
needs a bit of contrast in there matey
Photoshooter
08-09-2010, 22:53
Thanks for that Dave I've added more contrast does look better
John Howells
09-09-2010, 18:58
Nice set there Jim, I particularly like the head on shot with the oof framing. Really focuses the eye.
Some good pics there Jim, really like the one of the man standing on top of the train. really good candid.
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