Photography On Location: Desert Trains

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VIDEO DESCRIPTION:
What do Johnny Cash, a golden spike, and a guy with a big hat who kind of looks like Wil Wheaton have in common? Trains. That’s what. One sang about ‘em, one united ‘em, and one photographed ‘em with his hipster analog film cameras.
Fun fact: I actually met Wil Wheaton once at a hockey game and told him people say I look like him. Dude was a real sweetheart. Offered to take a picture with me and everything. Even posted it on his Twitter. Fun stuff.
Back to the video. Yeah I took a bunch of pictures of trains out in the desert. I used quite a bit of monochrome instant film - Polaroid 600 B&W film, old Fuji FP-3000B, and of course a smidge of New55 peel-apart film. So plenty of black & white goodness on this trip. But don’t get your Carhartt beanies in a bunch, all you hip young analog shooters…I did some Kodak Portra too. Portra 160 not 400 though because I’m a REBEL and I like to save a couple bucks on my film.
You may not think photographing trains on analog film is all that interesting. And if you think that, you’re probably right. Because what constitutes “interesting” anyway? Isn’t the entire concept of “interesting” as subjective as beauty? Isn’t it all in the eye of the beholder? Maybe it just ain’t your jam. Maybe you don’t dig on analog photography. Maybe you just don’t like my face (and ergo also Wil Wheaton’s). And hey, you know you better than anyone, so if you say you won’t be interested…who am I to say you’re wrong?
The guy who made this video, that’s who.
I don’t know what that means.
Anyway. Trains are rad. Everyone knows it. Freedom may be the heart and soul of this great country, but trains are its backbone. Oh, and Canada is its hat.
Thanks for watching!
Website: www.nickcarverphoto.com
Instagram: / nickcarver

[@itsmrh]

We're here in Iran in the middle of a revolution and it was a great break to watch a "Photography On Location" by Nick and chill for a bit 😌, Thank you man 🤍- now i gotta go back to the street and fight for freedom 🕊... Wish us luck #MahsaAmini

[@nickcarverphoto]

This is f’ing incredible. Thank you, my friend. And good luck!!

[@Super.Quasar]

Good luck, MRH.

[@BryanBirks]

Well my morning just got exponentially better.

[@tamekyle]

This video has significantly changed the trajectory of my day today for the better.

[@danielkophoto]

Seconded

[@oneill.onfilm]

Thirdeded 👆

[@danielamorim2909]

Fourthed

[@carravagio16]

Hey Nick no joke, my wife was having a bad friday, i sat down at my computer and saw you posted a new video. I told my wife i had something that was going to make her day better, once i told her a new ( on location) video from Nick just came up, she shouted out YES!!!! and did a happy dance. Just wanted to share. Big fans over here and you made somebody very happy

[@nickcarverphoto]

Man that’s awesome. Really makes me feel good about making these videos. Thank you!

[@DesertPackrat]

Bro: I am worried that your wife may be internet cheating on you with Nick.

[@benshew]

@@DesertPackrat Aren't we all?

[@Lt9602]

@@DesertPackrat what if hes the one cheating

[@digbyhp]

I think that 6x17 shot is terrific, one of my favourites. If you come away with one great image from all that work, it’s worth it.

[@oneill.onfilm]

Lord have mercy! The Return of the On Location Video 🙌

[@domlabr]

Nick, I really appreciate you including how you were feeling in the moment, your doubts and fears and how you let your “reptilian brain” win out. This makes me feel like the similar mental battles and self-doubt that I feel are normal. Thanks again for a great video.

[@nickcarverphoto]

I think we all got that voice in our head telling us to go home…at least once it gets dark out.

[@just4all1]

finally a Photography On Location!!!!!!!! about damn time

[@Figitarian]

Nick Carver...and trains...brilliant

[@Nightwatch1986]

Glad to see you back out in the field Nick. The 6x17 shot was a winner!

[@kennethrank9489]

I love the style of your presentation. I watch, listen, and learn. I am envious; I have no hair. I do have a cool hat though!

[@coreymagz3145]

There's a 4x5 speed graphic at my local antique store that I have my eye on and it is all because of you. You're my biggest inspiration not only as a photographer but as an overall person. I wish I could pay for your online courses. I wish more people knew about you.

[@peterdadson7713]

He makes a habit of one looking at cameras and getting excited. I got my 617 for the same reason.

[@Igarpe]

@@peterdadson7713 welcome to the club! 😁

[@chilecayenne]

I got my Shen Hao 6x17 for the same Nick reasons… I now see the world in Pano…

[@Jwats96]

My lunch just arrived and now I get to watch a new On Location video while I eat. This friday is off to a good start.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Fun fact…the analytics tell me that the majority of my viewers watch between about 11:30am and 1:30pm. You’re all eating lunch together.

[@therapyprints]

The train with mountain in background is exactly the type of photo I find inspiring! Great exposure thanks for making this video!

[@ChristopherSkow]

When a photographer talks about going to Lone Pine, CA to take photographs, the last thing someone thinks about are trains. Thank you for picking the mundane but making it so artistic. Just like all of your videos, very entertaining and I'll goes as far to say, mind altering. Thank you.

[@juanitakelly3082]

Interesting on many levels! You have an ability to hold someone's attention even when they don't know what the heck you are talking about!

[@ryanmccutcheon4298]

Awesome work! Love the 6x17!

[@320dena]

I felt myself laughing (in sympathy and understanding) when that train pulled away right as you were setting up your camera. Relatable

[@nickcarverphoto]

The photography Gods always know when we found a good one.

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

Hi Nick I appreciate so much the mountain shown underneath the carriage. The inverted triangular shapes between carriage exit funnels and mountain. I prefer the longer focal version without wheels, IMO their round shape no more fit with the strait lines composition. Great shot.

[@CM-cb2km]

150mm version ftw!

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

Good morning Nick. As a certified “rail nerd” with a whole house layout and rail-fanning habit, I’d like to point out those were “patched over” OG SP SD’s on point in the beginning of your video which are gems in the nerd community; with many a story published in journals of said subject.

[@DennisMook]

Nick, another excellent video. Thank you. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, I was a forensic police photographer. I shot literally thousands of sheets of Polaroid Type 55 positive/negative film. I don’t know how different he new film is from the film I used, but to have a full tonal negative with good shadows and highlights, we had to add one full stop of exposure than how the positive looked, otherwise it was too thin. We then cleared them in a bath of sodium sulfite. Enjoy!

[@huntercreatesthings]

Impeccable timing. Have had a royally shite week and this video is exactly what I needed to cheer me up 😊

[@farouk6564]

Love your videos Nick thank you for sharing

[@HimothyOHooligan]

I really love these on location videos. It's fun to come along for the process.

[@michaellong9526]

Same thing happened to my dad, sciatica I think , he resolved it when he realized on long drives the wallet he had in his back pants pocket put pressure on his sciatic nerve and it became obvious only on extended drives. Hope you resolve it

[@byoregon1]

Big “Breaking Bad” vibes on that one Nick. Thx, really enjoyed it.

[@byoregon1]

@@awprc Ha! Yeah, I guess that too. I was more thinking of the “Dead Freight” episode from Season 5. One of the best episodes of the best TV series of all time.

[@curtscamera]

Nick, you are really fun to watch!

[@kribomon]

Another fantastic video Nick, we enjoy riding along the ups and downs with you.

[@Fortnite87463]

Amazing video as always man, can't wait for the next one.

[@standupmoto]

Thanks Nick, enjoy your content. As a motorcycle KZbin reviewer here in Aus I can learn a massive amount from you to lift my game dramatically not only from the photography side of things but also the audio and editing. Cheers.

[@nickcarverphoto]

I appreciate that, my friend, thank you.

[@therealpoka]

Amazing video as always! And that photo with landscape behind the train...daaaamn!! So good.

[@ChrisTurnerPhotographer]

Love these videos. The best

[@nathanielcole6470]

YESSSS. What a treat. Love me some Nick Carver on location!

[@jimmynordstromphotography]

Great video as usual, love that 6x17 shot. How abstract it is but at the same time real.

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Trains one of my fav subjects great video as always

[@brianmckeever5280]

Nice! Good to see you back in the field. I love the image of the mountains under the train, good instincts. Thanks!

[@allan.armstrong]

Trains and photography my two favourite things!

[@bobsykes]

Oh, wow. So close to 100K subscribers! I'm really happy to see that both because I enjoy your channel (and the lessons you've made) so much, but it is just so reasuring to know that at least this many people are out there who are interested in learning how to do something really, really well. Keep it up! ✌

[@maxmillion4216]

It never fails Nick, you crack me up....! Love your dry sense of humor.

[@BackFocus11]

Another Nick Carver on location adventure. I’m giddy. Keep it up brother

[@aaronza7218]

As always... Perfect with my cup of coffee. Thank you, Nick!

[@aroach337]

I love trains. I saw a cool long exposure with the stationary train in front and the blur of the other in the background.

[@markryanoklahoma]

Love your on location videos. Your desert one with the Saguaros was the inspiration for our last family trip from Oklahoma to Arizona and Utah. Anyway, another great on location video!

[@peterdadson7713]

Great video Nick. Yup you like trains like a lot of us do. Great composition especially that one under the belly of the hopper car complete with mountain. You also reminded me I have one frame left on my 617. I best get at it before the snow flies.

[@johndoddato2662]

You always make me chuckle and I enjoy your videos. I was just in Lone Pine a couple of weeks ago doing some camping and photography. It is a great place and it was good to traveled back though that area once again. I used a ton of 4x5 Polaroid film in my day, mainly as a test exposure before exposing the film. The black and white Polaroids still look as nice today as the time I took them many years ago. Stay inspired and keep creating your great videos.

[@kzed0]

i like the wood detail shots

[@waawaaweewaa2045]

The image with the mountain under the train is fantastic.

[@sebastianchala8574]

This was the only kind of video content I was able to digest today after having experienced of the shittiest days in years. This helped me take my mind a bit out of the shit that went through my life today. I thank you for helping me with your soothing videos and your sense of humour. Cheers!

[@RubenEarth]

Nice to see a new video Nick! :)

[@davidroberts6766]

Enjoyed as always…my dad was that train guy in the basement! But he also rebuilt real trains…I low key still love a rumbling freight train myself.

[@michaeldingers5706]

Awesome photos

[@Black_Jesus3005]

Thank the algorithm for recommending this. It was quite enjoyable. Living in the desert and near a major railroad junction I often take it for granted but your video helped remind me to always appreciate it. Thank you.

[@MarkRomine]

It’s been more than twenty years since I have shot any instant film or even any large format film for that matter so I certainly found your film entertaining. It brought back many happy memories of boxes and boxes and boxes of instant film in medium, 4x5 and 8x10 sizes. Thanks for sharing.

[@ducgerard2361]

One more great lesson of composition. The best Channel For large format photo!

[@trappedindc8678]

I love trains and photographing trains. My wife and I go to a good location in the afternoon, bring. Picnic dinner and shoot until dark. When asked by friends why my wife loves watching/chasing trains she says they’re big, simple , powerful, loud machines that do one thing and do it well. And they look cool.

[@nickcarverphoto]

That’s a good description of why trains are fascinating.

[@dakotapace2346]

Haven't been watching the channel for a while and it feels great to come back to this video. I feel like your storytelling and over all video skills have gotten sharper. Your sketch segment made my day

[@nickcarverphoto]

I really appreciate that. Thank you.

[@SourcePhotography]

Just got back into film photography and by chance came across your channel. Very much look forward to watching your videos from now on. Cheers!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you!

[@georgfritz]

Always entertaining and interesting

[@danielamorim2909]

Your videos never disappoint

[@toomanyjstoomanyrs1705]

Thank you for the inspiration. You don't disappoint. Failure doesn't always mean failure.

[@GaborRuff]

It's so cool. I just watched an original Hawaii Five-O episode yesterday, titled: The Ransom, and the kidnappers used a Polaroid 103 (or something similar from the 100-400 series) to photograph the kidnapee. The whole process was shown including the composition in the viewfinder, the watch checking and the peeling off and there was the actual photo of Kono (sorry if I spoilered it). :) Their image came out really nice and they were pleased how sharp it was. Anyway, it was a great video and I love the 6x17 images.

[@thoughtdujour]

I'm layed up in bed with a really bad sprained ankle watching your videos, some which are new to me (like this one right here) and some old favorites, making plans for projects that I will undertake once my ankle heals. Thanks for taking me on a journey outdoors while I myself can't be. Hopefully you know what these videos mean to all of us. Hope to see more.

[@sunnzboz9482]

Finally! We waited for so long...

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Love that area of SOCAL!

[@asadoscientos]

Man, I become everyday more addicted to your videos! Thanks a lot for posting Nick.

[@asadoscientos]

@nickcarverphoto..... Alexis Da Motta P. Sorry for the delay!

[@stuartbaines2843]

Excellence in ambiance as we have take another Amazing trip with Nick 😅👍👍

[@thebrowncrew]

Good stuff Nick.

[@Dahrenhorst]

My father was a federal railway official, and I literally grew up in country side train stations with steam locomotives passing through every half hour and stopping every hour during day time. So I completely understand train aficionados.

[@craigcompoliphotography1235]

Your videos are awesome just like your body of work. And, you are one of the funniest guys doing this. Great stuff!

[@raymondperry6555]

Great video, yes there is something about the sound of a train going by. Thanks. On the leg pain, don't have anything your back pockets on long rides.

[@MitchSage]

Discovered your channel nearly a year back and have been going through all your stuff from beginning to end since. Makes for a really interesting and relaxing watch in my downtime. I come across so many channels in photography and other fields where the camera is cutting every two seconds and whipping/snapping around, hosts so painfully energetic and quippy, while the image and production is awash with 'youtube cinematography'. It's nice just to see you plonk down the video camera and do your thing without all the excesses. It's so much more digestible, grounded and engaging.

[@kaczynski2333]

Channelling Ansel with those details shots.

[@worldofrandometry6912]

I certainly enjoyed it. A very relaxing and entertaining video.

[@amylynn2733]

Great On Location video as always, Nick. Beautiful pictures.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you!

[@johntalbert1696]

Your best video yet!!!!

[@robertpopper9001]

Super as usual

[@phelix920]

Great video👍🏾 I’ve worked on the railroad for 16 years and that sound hear that resembles a gunshot was the locomotive at the headend of the train separating from the entire train after they finished. Phelix

[@nickcarverphoto]

Oh interesting. I assumed it was from the engine pushing against all of them. Pretty damn loud.

[@karolaneuer5506]

Yay, coming home from work on a friday and a new video. One minute after its publication :-)

[@tocoviperez]

love this videos!

[@Tastewithnewdrinks]

Great review.

[@adventuresontheroadandywiley]

Hey Nick love your vids all the best from the uk 🇬🇧

[@brianentz2785]

Very nice. The underside of the train photo is really excellent. Very well done. I live literally 5 minutes from that mexican restaurant and it never occurred to me to photograph it. It used to be a Taco Bell.

[@Mojave511]

As a full blown rail guy, this got my attention! Of course, I watch all your videos anyway. Good one as usual.

[@paulatterby7507]

The Nikkor 150 shot on 617 is a beauty, and those trains are about as big as my country!

[@timschaefer86]

Well, this made my weekend.

[@richardstollar4291]

Finally an on-location... interesting location you picked and can't wait for the previously taco-bell video - get out there more often :)

[@eisenschweinchen5354]

Great!

[@richardc8155]

Oh wow a Nick Carver location vid. One to savour over the weekend………..

[@jaykey6307]

We all have different talents; you clearly have one for storytelling! If these videos were 10 hours long, I would still be watching them glued to my screen.

[@simek_art]

Thanks for video

[@CookedLight]

Watched this as the first episode on our new 70 inch ambilight tv...man is it da biz 🍻

[@Gt97788]

thank u for carving out a on location vid

[@jeremysharp2938]

If you regularly experience leg pain after driving all day in your 4Runner, check out seat jackers. They adjust the angle of you seat to make it more comfortable for long rides.

[@mjfan653]

the 6x17 needed more trainwheel in the comp, but, really its all great inspiring as always, keep it up

[@tommynikon2283]

Love your stuff Nick, but at 66 and in my 42nd. year of being a commercial advertising photographer, I don't miss film, or Polaroids, at all! Who misses having to take a "test" shot using a Polaroid product, waiting 60sec. to peel the backing, screwing up the exposure, re-shoot the test shot, wait 60 sec.- blah blah blah. I mean w/ digital, so much easier!! I shoot w/ alot of strobe gear- and I don't even use a light meter/flash for years because of the ability to get an immediate indication as to exposures. That said, I vicariously watch your process....as a reminder of MY past process. ps: my fave Polaroid model I owned was the very rare #195- that featured adjustable shutter speeds and F/stops. STUPID that I sold that decades ago.

[@fbimagesphoto]

Good subject to train your compositions

[@quicktastic]

Always entertaining and informative Nick. I felt quite sad when your train rolled away just as you were getting ready to photograph it. Always the way it seems. Beautiful shots nonetheless.

[@zachpw]

I think that 6x17 might be one of my favorite of your shots.

[@tomaszbrys1426]

Hard to believe that all of that video was only one man"s work.