Ought To Be Shot wrote:
I never understood the common, if not overdone, act of photographing models sitting, standing or lying on railway tracks.  What's the attraction here?  Comments?

Never done it, but if given the chance, why not?  Might learn something.  If conditions are safe, maybe a moving train could be featured in the shot.  Shooting with a backdrop behind the model isn't an original idea either.

PK Digital Imaging wrote:
I never fails to amaze me.  Why do so many people CARE about what other photographers are doing?  If it doesn't suit your taste... your browser has a BACK button you can click on.

I've seen various types of shots, lighting setups, poses, props and locations used over and over and over again.  What's next?  "Why do so many photographers use a 3 strobe setup?" or "Why do so many models look at the camera?".

Photography in general is full of cliche.  What media isn't?  Should all photographers start shooting abstract so no one copies each other?

Just use your back button.  Kinda like what you did when you got 1/2 way through my rant.

-PKD

ditto...

A. KAYE wrote:
NEVER TRIED IT
I ASSUME IT'S A DESIGN ELEMENT
ALSO, EVERYTHING OFTEN ENOUGH BECOMES A CLICHE
THE TRICK IS TO MAKE IT INTERESTING
EVER SEE A FILM WITH A NEW PLOT LINE ?

Ditto.

Nick's Clicks wrote:
The damsel tied to the railroad tracks is an American art tradition. It goes back to the Civil War era, when it showed up in a play or two, and later on, in silent films. Saving the damsel in distress in the nick of time from the dastardly Sniedley Whiplash was the noble and heroic thing to do. More recently, Rocket J. Squirrel had success at this.

Exactly...And IMHO, its not done enough. Its a classic. Now as far as the model not being tied to the tracks...perhaps a bit overdone. But certainly not as overdone as photos with guitars. I dont quite get that one...

Lens N Light wrote:
Some of you are photographers, right? And some of you who are photographers recognize the principle of leading lines in the composition of photograpjhs, right? It is hard to imagine stronger leading lines than roads, railroad tracks, and architecture.
Maybe such thing are overdone and we need to look for subtler compositions, but it is certainly a well known and good vehicle to composition. It's as well known and as important as the rule of thirds. Just maybe that's why.

Best answer!

I just did my first "in the middle of the road" and "on railroad track" shot last week (two separate sessions/models) and I am loving them.

Bryan Patrick Coleman wrote:
Because rail road tracks are soooo... pretty

LMAO... that's what I always say...

Ought To Be Shot wrote:
Sorry... not meaning to start another cliche thread.

Just looking for what a photog might be specifically trying to say with a photo of a model on the tracks.  I just don't understand the statement or art here.  Or perhaps I'm looking too deep.

The photographer is trying to say, specifically:

I cannot come up with anything original.

Nick's Clicks wrote:
The damsel tied to the railroad tracks is an American art tradition. It goes back to the Civil War era, when it showed up in a play or two, and later on, in silent films. Saving the damsel in distress in the nick of time from the dastardly Sniedley Whiplash was the noble and heroic thing to do. More recently, Rocket J. Squirrel had success at this.

Now that makes sense.  Thanks for the answer.

Moraxian wrote:
Dunno if this is the answer you're looking for, but it is something I do photograph. 

Yep, as someone else mentioned, the damsel-in-distress angle was the one I wasn't thinkin' of.  Thanks.

Bryan Patrick Coleman wrote:
Because rail road tracks are soooo... pretty

And it's also soooooo illegal.
Being on RR tracks might be common, but it's no less trespassing than if you walked into someone else's back yard without permission.
It's also horribly dangerous. I've volunteered for lots of RR museums and tourist operations. We've almost run down several people walking tracks or hanging out there. A friend of mine who's an Amtrak engineer in Maryland run over a couple having sex on the tracks once. Splashed both of them all over the front of his locomotive (on the "Northest Corridor" between Washington DC and Boston, the trains run off overhead wires and can't be heard until they're right where you're standing).
I'd never, EVER get photos illegally that way, and it has nothing to do with cliches or not!

Bryan Patrick Coleman wrote:
Because rail road tracks are soooo... pretty

p51 wrote:
And it's also soooooo illegal.
Being on RR tracks might be common, but it's no less trespassing than if you walked into someone else's back yard without permission.
It's also horribly dangerous. I've volunteered for lots of RR museums and tourist operations. We've almost run down several people walking tracks or hanging out there. A friend of mine who's an Amtrak engineer in Maryland run over a couple having sex on the tracks once. Splashed both of them all over the front of his locomotive (on the "Northest Corridor" between Washington DC and Boston, the trains run off overhead wires and can't be heard until they're right where you're standing).
I'd never, EVER get photos illegally that way, and it has nothing to do with cliches or not!

It is tresspassing, but there are unused and safe tracks out there for use.  When I did my last tracks shoot out on the Eastern Shore of MD with Layla and Jetta, we knew the tracks weren't being used because there was a derelict train sitting on the set of rails we were using about 200 yards down from us...so unless a miracle occurred, we were safe. 

Another set of tracks I used once had bleachers in front of them... really.  When the outdoor Thomas the Tank Engine show comes to town, that's where they set it up. 

But P51 is right, it is tresspassing, and if you are shooting on the tracks and are asked to leave... leave.

Moraxian wrote:
Another set of tracks I used once had bleachers in front of them... really.  When the outdoor Thomas the Tank Engine show comes to town, that's where they set it up. 

But P51 is right, it is tresspassing, and if you are shooting on the tracks and are asked to leave... leave.

I think I know where you're talking about, and if it's the same place, that's a tourist RR. If anyone trespassing there slips and falls, they can sue. For a tourist operation, that could kill the whole thing. It happens all the time.
Even if it's not, "abandoned" or not, SOMEONE owns the tracks and right of way. Railroads have theuir own police forces who can arrest you, and they often do depending on what RR it is!

PK Digital Imaging wrote:
I never fails to amaze me.  Why do so many people CARE about what other photographers are doing?  If it doesn't suit your taste... your browser has a BACK button you can click on.

I've seen various types of shots, lighting setups, poses, props and locations used over and over and over again.  What's next?  "Why do so many photographers use a 3 strobe setup?" or "Why do so many models look at the camera?".

Photography in general is full of cliche.  What media isn't?  Should all photographers start shooting abstract so no one copies each other?

Just use your back button.  Kinda like what you did when you got 1/2 way through my rant.

-PKD

Could not have said it better.

Adrienne Aurora wrote:
Empty train tracks represent abandonment and loss. But the fact that they stretch on for as far as the eye can see is a metaphor for life moving forward. The model is symbolizing hope in a disparaging situation.

I did it on my second shoot.

And as Paul Simon wrote (and sang) "Everybody loves the sound of as train in the distance.
                                                     Everybody thinks it's true."

Ought To Be Shot wrote:

Yep, as someone else mentioned, the damsel-in-distress angle was the one I wasn't thinkin' of.  Thanks.

I've often considered the possibility of reversing the roles....HUGE bodybuilder type tied to the tracks with a dominatrix and whip standing over him....It CAN be fun!

Britni Hall wrote:
And don't forget the standing in the middle of the street....it goes under the cliche' threads tho...do a search.  But I know it.  Done it...did it....it's not cool anymore! 

Or sunset shots at the beach..in all of photography nothing is more prolific than sunsets!  And while your at it why not add hanging on to an old bridge? If it works for the photgrapher and the model then it works. Who gets to name what is cool or cliche? As for RR tracks.. https://www.modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pid=1089255 > I like the contrast of harsh and soft, the deminishing prespective of the tracks leading to the model and the over all iconic effect of the isolation and man's hand on the land aspects as well.

Mike

A. KAYE wrote:
NEVER TRIED IT
I ASSUME IT'S A DESIGN ELEMENT
ALSO, EVERYTHING OFTEN ENOUGH BECOMES A CLICHE
THE TRICK IS TO MAKE IT INTERESTING
EVER SEE A FILM WITH A NEW PLOT LINE ?

Bingo.
(But please don't shout).

That is why I did a series on RR Tracks. The parallel lines of the ties as they get closer together contrasted with the asymmety of the converging curving rails makes for an interesting design element without detracting from the model.

Although I see where other photographers are coming from with the nostalgia & metaphor factors too.

KM von Seidl wrote:
Someone please show me a model shot that hasn't been done before.

hands cupping breasts, hip off side, girl in city, girl on tracks, girl on beach, girl in car, girl in abandoned bldg, girl in glasses, girl in bikini, sophist woman in design clothes in dark set shot with ring flash, anything shot with ring flash, maxim look, cheesy glamour look, retro, super old retro, hotel  retro, chick in hotel, futuristic, goth, photoshop assemblage compositing, naked chick in nature, naked chick in urban setting, naked chick on chair, two naked chicks on bed, woman in shower, woman in bathtub, woman in kitchen, chick on toilet, naked woman covered by rose petals, caution tape, bubbles, the madonna, the crucifiction, venus on a halfshell, etc etc etc.

It's ALL been done.

I beg to differ, I don't think it's ALL been done? I haven't seen any nudes of models (male or female) who happen to be in wheelchairs or have other "impairments".

KM von Seidl wrote:
Someone please show me a model shot that hasn't been done before.

hands cupping breasts, hip off side, girl in city, girl on tracks, girl on beach, girl in car, girl in abandoned bldg, girl in glasses, girl in bikini, sophist woman in design clothes in dark set shot with ring flash, anything shot with ring flash, maxim look, cheesy glamour look, retro, super old retro, hotel  retro, chick in hotel, futuristic, goth, girl in nun outfit, woman in schoolgirl clothes, those freaking angelwings, photoshop assemblage compositing, naked chick in nature, naked chick in urban setting, naked chick on chair, two naked chicks on bed, woman in shower, woman in bathtub, woman in kitchen, chick on toilet, naked woman covered by rose petals, caution tape, bubbles, the madonna, the crucifiction, venus on a halfshell, etc etc etc.

It's ALL been done.

Buddy Hacket, the old comedian, said that unless you can go over to the wall and pull nails out with your manhood, you don't have any original material.  Well, there's a challenge for you MMers who gripe about the lack or originality!

Mark Reese Photography wrote:

I beg to differ, I don't think it's ALL been done? I haven't seen any nudes of models (male or female) who happen to be in wheelchairs or have other "impairments".

check out Io's port. 

That reminds me, there are lactating granny shots, naked guys, guys almost undressed,  guys in boxers, guys in briefs, thong boys, hairy guy shots, bondage shots, the prison themed shots, underwater shots, shots in the air, jumping, falling, flailing.....