A railfan and award-winning photographer explains how to compose an image
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using line, shape, and form
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that also tells a great story
In the Center for Railroad Photography & Art’s annual Creative Photography Awards Program, first-time entrant Todd Halamka placed second in the color category in 2012. Todd is relatively new to photography, but he combines a lifelong love of trains with a long career in architecture, drawing on his design experience to create memorable and unique images. Impressed, I asked him to share his thoughts and images. — Scott Lothes, executive director, Center for Railroad Photography & Art
Railroad Photography is a passion that allows me to record my love of trains within a variety of both urban and natural settings. In scouting locations, I look for places with visual interest that have the potential to tell a story. The story itself can take on many dimensions shaped by the weather, the time of day, the season, and particularly the physical elements found at the scene. I am fascinated with the shape, form, and scale of trains. They are massive, dynamic machines that form the fundamental building blocks of my images. By following a few basic parameters involving the use of line, shape, and form, I can organize a framework that produces memorable images.
To better understand how to use these photographic tools, let’s look at a series of images. In each case, I present the photo along with an annotated version. I frequently use line, shape, and form to visually layer my images with foreground, mid-ground, and background elements. My work takes me all over the world, and I am lucky to find trains in most locations.
An aerial view of the Haydarpasa passenger yard in Istanbul, Turkey: The story of this image is the idea of “visual motion.” The sweeping curve of the departing train provides the image’s structure. The curve also establishes the mid-ground layer (label 2 in the annotated image) and is defined by two curving lines that “move” through the scene. In this case, the curved lines serve to counterbalance both the foreground shapes of the parked engine and shed roof (label 1) with the background forms of the staged trains and enginehouse (label 3) counterpoints. The visual movement of the curved line and train from bottom left to upper right sets up a contrapuntal movement from 1 to 3. I find the foundation of a good image moves the eye from front to back, left to right, etc.
The main passenger station platform in Munich, Germany: The story of this image is “anticipation.” Four separate trains are moments from departure and form the basis of the image’s structure. Line forms the framework reference to the vertical and horizontal. The red engine (label 1) defines the foreground and shape, while trains (labels 2 and 3) define the central form for the mid-ground and background. Another personal preference is to bring the camera low and close to the foreground subject to permit the viewer to feel the immense scale of trains in a more intimate and fundamental way. Trains speak to us on many levels, not only from their size, but also from their movement, color, texture, shape, and form, to name just a few. Photography is a means to celebrate and explore their power, presence, and place in our day-to-day lives!
The CSX line through downtown Indianapolis: The story of this image explores scale and juxtaposition. The foreground GE locomotive is passing eastward at late afternoon (label 1), providing a detailed shape while approaching the mid-ground signal bridge (label 2). The signal bridge directs the rail bed diagonal lines from image front to back and frames the background power plant focal point (label 3). Again, I like the idea of organizing the picture frame with lines, shapes, and form through the layering of foreground, mid-ground, and background. The first three examples look at this strategy in a larger, exterior setting. The same approach can be employed at a smaller scale, as in the next example.
Travelers boarding a cross-country train in Mumbai, India: The story of this image revolves around family. Having people populate your photographs can add a wonderful and fascinating dimension to your story. Look for visually compelling scenes with people, and break out your camera and explore. In this image, the interesting collection of baggage carts caught my eye, followed by the gathering families boarding the overnight train beyond. The image is first organized by the series of staggered carts that create a strong diagonal line (label 1), moving the viewer’s eye from front to back. The focal point and mid-ground element of the shot is the sitting grandmother (label 2) anchored in turn by the train itself, forming the backdrop to the image. I like the role of the supporting people in the image: the family with luggage balanced on one of the member’s heads, the boy aboard the train reading in the doorway, and the young man to the far left with his tall bottle of cold water, reminding me of the 100-degree temperature and 100 percent humidity of that Indian summer day!
Now let’s explore more singularly focused subject matter, with tighter framing and at closer range. A pair of locomotives, the morning after a long night’s battle through deep snow: The story of this image investigates the subject of endurance. Railroads never sleep, nor stop for weather; they are 24/7, 365-day-per-year machines, providing us with great opportunities to capture their never-ending battle with Mother Nature! What intrigued me first was the combination of colors: the blue sky, the faded reds of the lead locomotive, and the deep white snow the morning after a 3-foot storm. The engine provides the central focal point (label 1). Note how the strong vertical lines of the telephone poles (label 2) root the locomotives to the scene and how the poles calibrate the photograph from left to right. Remember, you don’t need to see the entire poles to complete the mental picture. This left-to-right scaling also provides for discrete focal points (label 3 boxes) that focus on the story of the deep snow.
A 1940s-era steam locomotive in Moscow: The story of this image revolves around constructability. The same parameters of lines, shapes, and form apply but at a close-up level. The large oval shape (label 1) of the boiler forms the central focus of the image and is organized by two quarter-view lines (label 2) that orient the perspective of the scene diagonally. In this image, I am trying to balance the sun from a backlighted and edge-grazing angle to my right, while trying to bring the diagonal movement of the white railing through the image from upper left to lower center. The counterpoint of the smaller oval of the headlamp (label 3) provides an opposing diagonal offset to the grab bar and frames the myriad bolts, nuts, and metal plates that are my favorite parts of the image.
A wheel of an SD70M locomotive that celebrates the story of winter’s onset: In this image, a simple combination of a circle, line, and focal point tell the story. First, the horizontal line of the rail (label 1) has an intimate discussion with the wheel (label 2). Remember, you do not need to see all of the pieces to tell a story — in this case, only part of the wheel is necessary and is held in space by the radius point at the axle. The story is then completed with the snow and spray of ice on the wheel (label 3).
Remember, the beauty of photography is that everyone sees the world slightly differently. Take my approach to using line, shape, and form, and then customize it to what works best for you. Photography takes practice and patience — the rewards for me are unique and personalized images, and the underlying goal is to have fun and learn from the experience.
TODD HALAMKA is a member of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art and a senior vice president, principal, and director of design at the Chicago office of HOK, a global design, architecture, and engineering firm.
