I've gotten a lot of questions about my rail video techniques. Here's a few ideas I had about shooting trains including angles, iris-shutter speed-Gain settings, zooming and more.
One year old, or ten years old the operator of the equipment is the biggest influence on the outcome of the video. Weve been watching one of the best. Thank you Mr. Harmon.
Merry Christmas Danny & Family from Australia..For my videos , I just use a (currently) Samsung S9 cell (we call them mobile) phone.Any narrations are recorded using voice recorder.Narration editing using Audacity and video pad for the final video edit.All free downloads. S9 records in HD 1080.
Great tips, I'll add a couple: *1.* Shoot darker than brighter, the outdoor brightness makes your video look deceptively dark on the back of the camera. It is also easier to boost shadows than bring down highlights in editiing. *2.* Shoot the lowest gain / ISO possible, increasing ISO makes the image brighter but also reduces overall detail in the highlights / shadows and reduces sharpness. *3.* If you don't have a good tripod it is better to choose a shot and leave the camera still than to make jerky movements.
Hi Danny, I am starting to hear your voice a lot now on TV. If you ever get up this way, I'll take you out for some beautiful railroading. I'll take you out to Promontory so you can see where the Wedding of the Rails occurred. I'll take you up Weber and Spanish Fork Canyons for some serious mountain railroading. STAY SAFE, above all else!!! I like yer' stuff!!!
What TV spots is Danny doing that you hear where you live? When I first started watching Danny's videos his voice seemed familiar but I couldn't remember anything specifically.
Hello Danny, I really appreciate your experience and insights. I hope you make a detailed video on voice over tips. I've always been self-conscious about my voice, even before I got into video; however, I'm hoping to finally get into it. With your 40+ years of experience, I'd love nothing more than to see and understand your set up and workflow! We all have a lot to learn from you.
Danny your narration is absolutely spot on and a joy to listen to. I swear you could narrate a video of paint drying that would be a joy to watch. Love your vids, stay safe and well and keep it going. Thanks
A wonderful holiday greeting, valuable tips and my pals Travis Taylor and Shannon Sikora. The perfect gift for someone 3000 miles away. Thanks again Danny and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Danny your editing is top notch! Thats only part of the reason I'm stuck on your videos. You are informative, so I learn stuf and you are darned charming too with a great taste for my kind of chow in between shots. I and lots of others appreciate your efforts!
Amazing! Thanks for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to always learn more about the wonderful world of railroading. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have the passion and desire to learn more about this wonderful trade. Thanks for all that you have shown us this year and I look forward to many more great videos in 2020! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
As always, a great video. I/we greatly appreciate your sharing of your knowledge. I'm an old-school still photographer (after 40-some-odd years, I've never owned a camcorder). But, like you, I love polarizers. Every one of my still lenses has a polarizer on it all the time, as many photographers keep skylight filters on their lenses full-time. Since I shoot almost exclusively outdoors during the day, I find it easier to remove the polarizer on the rare occasion that I don't want to use it. I love a deep-blue sky. Thanks again for another amazing and enjoyable video!
Really enjoy your interesting and informative videos . I grew up watching trains on Eastern Long Island New York. So very different than today’s railroading.
So much to learn - think I'll leave the videography to the experts and just enjoy them. And we do enjoy them all. Happy Holidays Danny to you and yours from Canada.
This is what I love about Danny's videos. Informative, actually knows what he's talking about, doesn't yell or come off as a "foamer", and lets the trains speak for themselves when they go by. Some channels need to take note.
Thanks for the video advice, Danny. It's much appreciated. Out here, on the Union Pacific, Pacific Coast Line, Santa Barbara subdivision, we see mostly Amtrak and Metrolink passenger trains, the Oxnard local, and normally one freight per day, always in the late afternoon/early evening. There is one southbound oilcan train per week, with a turnaround a couple days later. There are more freights at night but there's no lighting anywhere, even in the Oxnard yard. We are between two airports, so drone operations are absolutely forbidden. Again, thanks for the advice. Jon.
I would say out here on the former Southern Pacific Coast Main Line. I'm old enough to have seen the Coast Daylight pulled by a magnificent GS Class locomotive and a hundred or so orange reefers pulled seemingly without effort by a single AC locomotive. SP even had beautiful steam switchers.
The few rules I have for videoing trains are 1. begin with the train approaching, 2. do the pan for the receding train about 3-5 cars before the end (depending on the speed of the train), and 3. really long trains (11,000 feet? WHAT?) generally are not for me, unless, I suppose, the train is going by at 70 mph. Thanks for all your hard work in sharing these terrific videos. And I've learned a lot from them. Merry Christmas.
Thank for the helpful camera tips. I still use my old trusty Canon HD-40 I got in 2009. It's beginning to show its age now, but still serves the purpose. Pan Am Railways has a similar tunnel issue with the Hoosac Tunnel. Stack trains are broken down at Mechanicsville, NY and sent east as single-stacks through to Ayer, MA and other points east. There has been discussions as well regarding lowering the bed or raising the ceiling on this 4.75 mile tunnel.
Love your video man! I've learned a lot from your techniques including the multiple shots and angles of the same train! Thanks for inspiring so many people!
Danny, thank you once again for the great videos you put up. Hope to see more in 2020 and a very merry Christmas and safe holiday to you and your family.
I keep a second radio scanning between the two end of train device frequencies. I usually start hearing the EOT packet bursts when the train is 3-4 miles out. This gives me a few minutes to double check my equipment settings, position, etc. It also helps me to locate trains when I am traveling.
Another great video Danny, thank you so much for the great video's through out the year, wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Thank you Danny for these great tips, I think they apply well to almost any videotaping! Merry Christmas to you, you family, and the Distant Signal Community!
Danny, Happy Holidays. I absolutely love your videos and am a happy man when the notification for a new video shows up. Plus, you have a classic narration voice for videos or radio.
Your a great fan Danny I and a great guy in trying to help other fans out with your knowledge. Have a great and safe holiday season and keep those great videos of yours coming.
Your video are some of the best rail-fan video's on TH-cam. I have watched you for years now and hope to continue watching for years to come. Merry X-mas Danny and keep up the great work!
Danny, HUGE thank you for this. With only an iPhone 11 (video) and a Panasonic FZ1000 (photo) as my gear, I’ve found your trips to be beyond helpful for me and many other rail fans. I’m considering a camcorder for my videos but find the latest model iPhone sufficient for now. Happy Holidays to you! -CJR
You sir , are a true pro when it comes to train video quality . You're getting pretty good with the drone too ! You through youtube give us all unending pleasure doing what we love most , WATCHING TRAINS ! 👍👍👍
always love your videos i work for a contractor who does drainage and piping for a local railroad since seeing more of your videos through last year ive just about watched all of them . i use a scanner to listen to the railroad and i have recorded some trains too its more fun than people think . keep up your videos always cool to see where the southern rails take ya . i am in north east to mid ohio we travel on what used to be the nickel plate railroad . norfolk and western . and many more .
Danny thank you for the info! I look forward to your videos and be reviewing your past videos a thousand times and enjoy them! I am planning a trip to folkston soon and hope to catch glimpse of you just to shake your hand and to say thank-you!!!
Great video, love hearing the details of how you make your great videos. Really appreciate the time you put in, and the quality of the videography and the information you present. First Class!
Hi Danny just a note to say thank you for keeping my interest in rail fanning on the rise, you have a way of explaining things even I can understand. 🤔 Happy Holidays to you and yours! I hope you have more planned for us in the New Year.
I had a feeling that you were going to catch me in action in this video you expertly created, Danny. Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and I shall see you in April 2020 for Rail Watch, man. Much love from Selma, NC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -MG
Rail Stalker I’m from Sanford NC, we have the historic railroad museum or something like that, CSX main line runs straight through this town and I know the schedule for all Amtrak trains through here and most freight trains, you should come down this way sometime
Danny you are a pro, I've learned on my angles and shots thanks to your examples of how you shoot video, this would be a great teaching tool for those first getting into this!
Thank you for your dedication and friendly kind hearted personality on these beautiful exciting train Locomotive videos ‼️ oh my god your amazing 😉 God Bless you Sr.
One year old, or ten years old the operator of the equipment is the biggest influence on the outcome of the video. Weve been watching one of the best. Thank you Mr. Harmon.
Best railfan vids on Earth. And it's the talk, as much as the image, that make it so. MC&HNY!
I now really want a video about how those defect detectors work (ideally, as a collaboration with Destin of Smarter Every Day).
Danny, Merry Christmas to you and your wife
Same here.
Danny Harmon: *uploads*
Everyone Of Danny’s Subs: *NANI*
It's quite interesting to learn about the inspection systems. I didn't realize that's what they looked like. Gave the video a like!
CRAFTYFOXE
Thanks to you and other rail fans world wide who spend their time and money to post these for our enjoyment. Merry Christmas.
Crisp winter morning, a hot cup of coffee and a new video from Danny. Perfect start to my day. Merry Christmas railfans!
No one does this better than you Danny. That is why i watch your videos, more than once.
Merry Christmas Danny & Family from Australia..For my videos , I just use a (currently) Samsung S9 cell (we call them mobile) phone.Any narrations are recorded using voice recorder.Narration editing using Audacity and video pad for the final video edit.All free downloads. S9 records in HD 1080.
Danny You're AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for everything. I've learn a TON about railroading from you alone.
Great tips, I'll add a couple: *1.* Shoot darker than brighter, the outdoor brightness makes your video look deceptively dark on the back of the camera. It is also easier to boost shadows than bring down highlights in editiing. *2.* Shoot the lowest gain / ISO possible, increasing ISO makes the image brighter but also reduces overall detail in the highlights / shadows and reduces sharpness. *3.* If you don't have a good tripod it is better to choose a shot and leave the camera still than to make jerky movements.
Hi Danny, I am starting to hear your voice a lot now on TV. If you ever get up this way, I'll take you out for some beautiful railroading. I'll take you out to Promontory so you can see where the Wedding of the Rails occurred. I'll take you up Weber and Spanish Fork Canyons for some serious mountain railroading. STAY SAFE, above all else!!! I like yer' stuff!!!
What TV spots is Danny doing that you hear where you live? When I first started watching Danny's videos his voice seemed familiar but I couldn't remember anything specifically.
@@dalecomer5951 Northern Utah. Brigham City to, be exact!!!
@@wasatchrangerailway6921 I live in Bountiful, and I think I hear his voice on some TV commercials.
@@WBJ1942 Hey Warren, you are right, you can hear his voice a lot. He does a lot of different tv and radio spots. His voice is the perfect fit!!!
Danny it was very nice to meet you at Folkston. I hope you got to feeling better and thank you for taking time and letting me say hello-Trey
Hello Danny, I really appreciate your experience and insights. I hope you make a detailed video on voice over tips. I've always been self-conscious about my voice, even before I got into video; however, I'm hoping to finally get into it. With your 40+ years of experience, I'd love nothing more than to see and understand your set up and workflow! We all have a lot to learn from you.
Danny, thank you for the informative video. You never disappoint. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thanks Jerry. Merry Christmas.
Danny your narration is absolutely spot on and a joy to listen to. I swear you could narrate a video of paint drying that would be a joy to watch. Love your vids, stay safe and well and keep it going. Thanks
I appreciate the audio quality you capture on your videos.
A wonderful holiday greeting, valuable tips and my pals Travis Taylor and Shannon Sikora. The perfect gift for someone 3000 miles away. Thanks again Danny and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thanks Ken! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
Danny your editing is top notch! Thats only part of the reason I'm stuck on your videos. You are informative, so I learn stuf and you are darned charming too with a great taste for my kind of chow in between shots. I and lots of others appreciate your efforts!
DS ought to be on scheduled broadcast tv! Well done, would not miss your work.....
Amazing! Thanks for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to always learn more about the wonderful world of railroading. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have the passion and desire to learn more about this wonderful trade. Thanks for all that you have shown us this year and I look forward to many more great videos in 2020! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Wow Danny this , this was very informative, and thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours :-)
Thank you, Erik!
That inspection device is wild. Never seen them before
My 6 year old son and I love your video's. Just wish you were in Cali back in the 90's with this tech :) Merry Christmas too you and your family!
As always, a great video. I/we greatly appreciate your sharing of your knowledge. I'm an old-school still photographer (after 40-some-odd years, I've never owned a camcorder). But, like you, I love polarizers. Every one of my still lenses has a polarizer on it all the time, as many photographers keep skylight filters on their lenses full-time. Since I shoot almost exclusively outdoors during the day, I find it easier to remove the polarizer on the rare occasion that I don't want to use it. I love a deep-blue sky. Thanks again for another amazing and enjoyable video!
Really enjoy your interesting and informative videos . I grew up watching trains on Eastern Long Island New York. So very different than today’s railroading.
So much to learn - think I'll leave the videography to the experts and just enjoy them. And we do enjoy them all. Happy Holidays Danny to you and yours from Canada.
No doubt, You are most definitely the Master of railroad videography..!!!
Thanks for the hints and tips on videography Danny, very helpful next time I’m trackside.
I really appreciate your production valve don't undervalue your amazing narration
Brilliant work. I saw the Trop cars and immediately drank a liter and a half of Bradenton’s best. Refreshing.
Merry Christmas Danny & Distant Signal community.
Back at you! Stay safe out there!
I like how if you look closely at Owensboro, you can still see the remnants of when Owensboro was major point on the Seaboard.
This is what I love about Danny's videos. Informative, actually knows what he's talking about, doesn't yell or come off as a "foamer", and lets the trains speak for themselves when they go by. Some channels need to take note.
You are too kind. Thank you.
@@distantsignal You're welcome.
Thanks for the video advice, Danny. It's much appreciated. Out here, on the Union Pacific, Pacific Coast Line, Santa Barbara subdivision, we see mostly Amtrak and Metrolink passenger trains, the Oxnard local, and normally one freight per day, always in the late afternoon/early evening. There is one southbound oilcan train per week, with a turnaround a couple days later. There are more freights at night but there's no lighting anywhere, even in the Oxnard yard. We are between two airports, so drone operations are absolutely forbidden. Again, thanks for the advice. Jon.
I would say out here on the former Southern Pacific Coast Main Line. I'm old enough to have seen the Coast Daylight pulled by a magnificent GS Class locomotive and a hundred or so orange reefers pulled seemingly without effort by a single AC locomotive. SP even had beautiful steam switchers.
The few rules I have for videoing trains are 1. begin with the train approaching, 2. do the pan for the receding train about 3-5 cars before the end (depending on the speed of the train), and 3. really long trains (11,000 feet? WHAT?) generally are not for me, unless, I suppose, the train is going by at 70 mph. Thanks for all your hard work in sharing these terrific videos. And I've learned a lot from them. Merry Christmas.
Good editing can make even the longest train not too tedious to watch!
Danny, thank you so much for this incredibly informative video! Merry Christmas to you and your wife! And have a happy new year!
Danny, Your videos never disappoint. You are the best. Looking forward to another year of great Distant Signal videos! Happy New Year to you!
Love your videos! Always excited to see uploads from you. Merry Christmas.
Thanks so much Danny, for this the many other videos! I enjoy each and every one that I view.
Thank for the helpful camera tips. I still use my old trusty Canon HD-40 I got in 2009. It's beginning to show its age now, but still serves the purpose.
Pan Am Railways has a similar tunnel issue with the Hoosac Tunnel. Stack trains are broken down at Mechanicsville, NY and sent east as single-stacks through to Ayer, MA and other points east. There has been discussions as well regarding lowering the bed or raising the ceiling on this 4.75 mile tunnel.
Love your videos and commentary thanks and have a Merry Christmas
Love your video man! I've learned a lot from your techniques including the multiple shots and angles of the same train! Thanks for inspiring so many people!
Very insightful, Danny, thank you for sharing. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours from across the pond.
Merry Christmas and happy New Years, thanks for sharing!
Danny, thank you once again for the great videos you put up. Hope to see more in 2020 and a very merry Christmas and safe holiday to you and your family.
I keep a second radio scanning between the two end of train device frequencies. I usually start hearing the EOT packet bursts when the train is 3-4 miles out. This gives me a few minutes to double check my equipment settings, position, etc. It also helps me to locate trains when I am traveling.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Danny! Great video as always!
Another great video Danny, thank you so much for the great video's through out the year, wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
One of the best railfanning channels someone can ask for. Keep up the good work!
Love your videos. I watch all of them. Railfanning in the Southeast is different than here in Utah. Keep the videos coming. Love it.
Thank you Danny for these great tips, I think they apply well to almost any videotaping! Merry Christmas to you, you family, and the Distant Signal Community!
Well done, thank you for all the great content. Looking forward to more and wishing you a happy and healthy 2020.
Another great video Danny, so informative and well done. Keep up the great videos in the new year.
North Bergen and a lot along the south river line in NJ is great railfanning this is my home turf
Evan G the river line is very dead I prefer the Lehigh line
Always enjoy watching Danny's videos. Excellent quality and knowledge. A true rail fan! Merry Christmas Danny!
A true craftsman with the lens!
Danny, Happy Holidays. I absolutely love your videos and am a happy man when the notification for a new video shows up. Plus, you have a classic narration voice for videos or radio.
Excellent video Danny, Informative, hard to beat ,many Thanks, love TRAINS !
Your a great fan Danny I and a great guy in trying to help other fans out with your knowledge. Have a great and safe holiday season and keep those great videos of yours coming.
Danny Thank you and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Danny, I really appreciate all the information you so freely give. It's a pleasure just watching your videos
Cant be said enough, great stuff Danny - jargon, captures, info etc.
Look forward to the next.
Merry Xmas to you and yours
Your video are some of the best rail-fan video's on TH-cam. I have watched you for years now and hope to continue watching for years to come. Merry X-mas Danny and keep up the great work!
Danny your coverage of railways are the best very knowledgeable, keep up the Great work!
Danny, HUGE thank you for this. With only an iPhone 11 (video) and a Panasonic FZ1000 (photo) as my gear, I’ve found your trips to be beyond helpful for me and many other rail fans. I’m considering a camcorder for my videos but find the latest model iPhone sufficient for now.
Happy Holidays to you!
-CJR
John Stephenson reviewers are picky as fuckinn hell
Nice to see another great shot from down at the end of the street. Merry Christmas from Belleview. 🎄
You sir , are a true pro when it comes to train video quality . You're getting pretty good with the drone too ! You through youtube give us all unending pleasure doing what we love most , WATCHING TRAINS ! 👍👍👍
Great info, and thanks Danny for sharing your knowledge w/us!
Thank you for such great and informative material!
always love your videos i work for a contractor who does drainage and piping for a local railroad since seeing more of your videos through last year ive just about watched all of them . i use a scanner to listen to the railroad and i have recorded some trains too its more fun than people think . keep up your videos always cool to see where the southern rails take ya . i am in north east to mid ohio we travel on what used to be the nickel plate railroad . norfolk and western . and many more .
I do binge watch. I wish i lived near some main lines. Great explanation today on videogrophy TY.
Thanks Danny. Very helpful. Ill be using some of these techniques. Merry Christmas .
Great KNOWLEDGE and something to learn for EVERYONE in this video! Thanks DANNY! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Danny thank you for the info! I look forward to your videos and be reviewing your past videos a thousand times and enjoy them! I am planning a trip to folkston soon and hope to catch glimpse of you just to shake your hand and to say thank-you!!!
Awesome video, as always! Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Great video, love hearing the details of how you make your great videos. Really appreciate the time you put in, and the quality of the videography and the information you present. First Class!
Best railfan videos on the internet. Excellent videography, excellent narration, excellent historical information. VERY well done, Danny!
Those power lines at 3:30 made my heart stop. Speaks to the importance of pre-planning your flight path and knowing your surroundings. Well done.
Thanks for your insights, Danny. Some of the best railroad videography I've seen is on this channel, and this video explains some of why that is.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Danny. I so look forward to your videos as they are always entertaining and full of very useful information.
Thanks for this - great to know how you make such terrific videos
Thanks for the tips Danny. I learned a little something new.
Hi Danny just a note to say thank you for keeping my interest in rail fanning on the rise, you have a way of explaining things even I can understand. 🤔 Happy Holidays to you and yours!
I hope you have more planned for us in the New Year.
I had a feeling that you were going to catch me in action in this video you expertly created, Danny. Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and I shall see you in April 2020 for Rail Watch, man. Much love from Selma, NC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-MG
Rail Stalker I’m from Sanford NC, we have the historic railroad museum or something like that, CSX main line runs straight through this town and I know the schedule for all Amtrak trains through here and most freight trains, you should come down this way sometime
@@mikehoncho658 I'll keep that in mind, bud
Have a merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year Danny. Keep the fantastic videos coming.
Love it!!!! Was watching some of the PRR videos I have today with you as narrator
Danny you are a pro, I've learned on my angles and shots thanks to your examples of how you shoot video, this would be a great teaching tool for those first getting into this!
Thanks for the piece. Very interesting as always. Merry Christmas
Thank you for the tips, Danny Harmon! Merry Christmas!
Thanks for all the tips and another great video. Really enjoyed it. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family. 👍👍👍❤️
Merry Christmas! Your work is excellent!
Thank you for your dedication and friendly kind hearted personality on these beautiful exciting train Locomotive videos ‼️ oh my god your amazing 😉 God Bless you Sr.
Danny, Merry Christmas to you and your entire family. Continue to have fun, enjoy trains and be safe. enjoy a great new year.
Another cool video... thanks! and a bunch of ditch lights and mid DPUs.... love it!! Happy Holidays Danny!
Thanks for the tips, appreciate as we get started rail fanning. Merry Christmas to you, Have a great New Year
Great advice and pointers. Thank you from Canada (a CP fan).
Fantastic video and tips! Merry Christmas, Danny!
Merry Christmas. Good detail in your explanations on this video. I'd like to see more like this in the future.