I was out sick again today, and there wasn’t much on TV, so no movie reviews tonight. But since I’m feeling better tonight, I decided to scan through some of my “reject” folders of slides. I, unlike some other photographers, rarely throw away slides – I keep everything (unless it’s truly out of focus). And it’s times like this that I’m glad I don’t toss the rejects. Yep, I found a few gems stewing in there for a good 6 or 7 years.
Every now & then I break out one of the seven binders of seconds – stuff I didn’t consider at the time I shot them to be the top notch stuff, which exists in two binders aptly labeled “the better ones” – and check things out. Most times I’m just reminded that I made the right decision and kept those shots hidden from view. But occasionally, one catches my eye as the page crosses the light table. Something I missed – whether it be an odd composition, or something that just isn’t around any more that was commonplace then. I found four of those tonight.
First up is one from back on August 2, 2003 of Guilford train EDRJ pulling out of East Deerfield, MA. Overall a not too bad shot – nothing special, but not sure why I didn’t let it make the cut.
Next up is from a little later that year – November 15, 2003. This time it’s a shot of a former Conrail B23-7 that the Connecticut Southern Railroad was using as a parts source for the longest time. Well, now that hulk has been scrapped and is now razor blades, or nails, or something that is not a GE locomotive.
And here we have a detail view. Back in September 2004 I rode with the Central New England Railroad to do some photography & research for my first published article, which appeared in the November 2005 issue of Railfan & Railroad. I got this shot as the crew was firing up the CNZR’s ALCo RS-1, and she was belching out some smoke, as all good ALCos do.
And finally, a people shot – one I’m surprised I missed. This is from a ride I took on the Valley Railroad in Essex, CT with my wife & daughter on September 6, 2004. It’s a simple shot of one of the Valley’s conductor’s chatting with the riders.
And that was it for tonight’s dive into the old binders.
Thanks for looking!
Tom
Those are “rejects”? Seriously?
Great shots all!
Thanks! That’s exactly why I never throw out the rejects on the first culling! I know many photographers that do that – these would have been at the bottom of some landfill somewhere if I did that! Instead, I’m a freaking packrat and keep everything…