The Canyon Inn’s Nature Photography Weekend was an immense success – great weather, fortunate early-blooming flowers, and some awesome people really came together for a fun time. We had nearly twenty people out on the trails at any given time, and the level of skill and inventiveness on display was mindblowing. Sure, I could talk about how amazing and creative everyone was, but why not let their photography speak for itself, on the official Flickr photostream of the weekend: http://www.flickr.com/photos/canyoninnphotoweekend/

In but a few short weeks, from March 23-25 2012, I’ll be hosting a nature photography weekend at McCormick’s Creek State Park, in scenic Spencer, IN. We’ll explore outdoor and landscape photography using modern photographic techniques, and I’ll teach you how to get the most from your camera in a fun, informal atmosphere. For more information please contact Laura Stantz at the Canyon Inn, McCormick Creek’s lovely hotel, at LStantz@dnr.in.gov or by phone on 812-829-4881.

I grew up in Bethlehem, and lived there until I was 21, when I moved to Indiana. Every time I come back, for holidays, for business, whatever, something is different – a housing development where a cornfield was, a new supermarket where the old one used to be. That goddamn casino. Things like that.

What stays the same, though, is how it feels to be out and about in my hometown at night. That’s the only time it still feels like home, and when i prefer to do most of my photographing when i am there. Everything seems to slow down, and it feels like I am the only one out there. In an area where more and more New York and New Jersey transplants arrive every day, it’s a tough feeling to find, that solitude and quiet.

And of all the places I like to be at night, it’s the south side of town, along the river, that is my favorite. What, to the railroad, is called CP 88 (a control point, eighty-eight miles from New York City), has always been my home office when watching trains in Bethlehem. Situated between two of the three bridges that span the Lehigh River, seemingly insulated from the hustle of the revitalized South Side, 88 is the best place to just sit, and let the trains pass by.

It’s rare that my social life and middle-of-the-night train nerdy life intersect, but I think I have had a conversation there with every single person in my life of any import. Since about 99% of the time spent along train tracks is spent looking at those empty tracks, good conversation is a must, and that has always been the place to do it.

To see the full issue, check out this PDF link:

http://www.nscorp.com/nscorphtml/bizns/bzns1211/NovDecBizNS_WEB.pdf

For the full-size, printable images, check out this convenient link to the .zip file on http://www.mediafire.com/?0200v4pj5oqx50q

Every year, Alex and I endeavor to concentrate on one of the many aspects of Chicago railroading – in 2009 we shot extensively in northwestern Indiana, last year we shot one of the two remaining EJ&E “J Ball” units in Joliet, and explored that area’s many great spots. The focus this year was on documenting some of the disappearing searchlight signals on the former CB&Q and ATSF mainlines that point westward from Chicago, and to that end, we were very successful. Signal bridges still stand on both lines, and the trains (at least on the Santa Fe) were plentiful.

This was also the first year that I made an effort to shoot the CTA in downtown Chicago. Mike’s current passions  lie very much in the transit-at-night realm of railroading, and it was fun to be swept up into his world for a few days, as we spent two very late nights shooting the L from many vantage points throughout the city.

Here are some photos from my week in Chicago. Enjoy!