Another tool in improving the look of your images is to carefully watch your backgrounds. \u00a0Pay particular attention to man made objects such as telephone poles, street lights, signs, cars, etc. \u00a0These can be very distracting to the image you shoot, and considerably take away from the composition and strength of the shot.<\/p>\n
Many times, these distractions are easy to fix, if you are paying attention. \u00a0Moving 3-5 feet may allow an object to be hidden, or no longer be in the frame. \u00a0Or perhaps, crouching will allow the top of a pole or other tall item to be hidden by the train. \u00a0If not, perhaps a lower angle from a ditch, gully, or other spot below the right of way. \u00a0This technique will require shoot upwards towards the train as opposed to the more typical track side shot, but this type of angle can hide \u00a0many distractions. \u00a0For example, behind the shot below is a track side signal, easily hidden by the low angle. \u00a0Also, a major interstate highway is also on the opposite side of the tracks. \u00a0Had a more normal, at grade shot been made, or a shot with slight elevation above the tracks, not only would the signal likely be showing from behind the train, but an interstate highway with numerous vehicles would have easily been seen, very much distracting from the scene. \u00a0However, by going low, all distractions have been removed, with a clean sky behind the train, with attention to the subject matter, the train, considerably improving the shot.<\/p>\n