David's Steaming Ahead
You don’t have to be a railway buff to have been stopped in your tracks at the sight of a recent poster for the North York Moors Railway. David Ackroyd’s stunning photography communicated the glorious power of steam with an appeal far beyond the usual enthusiasts.
This is just the first of a series of posters featuring the work of this dedicated BA (Hons) Photography student and you can enjoy a sneak preview of some of his other images. Admirers of David’s evocative photography will remember a delightful nostalgic shot included in the Create A Vision charity exhibition which had been taken at Pickering Station during the 1940s weekend when David was a first year HND student.
David explains, “I have been interested in trains for years. The photograph used for the poster started as a second year HND project and I have continued with it. As a photographer it is important to have your own ongoing projects running alongside whatever other work you are doing. When we were given a brief that involved using film and without natural light I decided to do something on the NYMR as I knew it so well.”
David’s wanted this photograph to express the poetry of steam and also pay tribute to the dedication of the volunteers who work on the line.
“Steam engines are not like diesel, they are alive. Even when they are not running they are boiling and bubbling away all night long. There is not enough steam for them to move but it is like when a person is asleep but you can still hear their breathing. It is like the beating heart of the train.
The volunteers in Grosmont can stay up until one in the morning waiting for the train to come back from Goathland. Then they return at 4am to stoke up. I took this particular shot towards midnight as they drop the fire out of the firebox and coax all the ashes out with a rod. I wanted to show the drama of the moment. The light conditions were technically very challenging. In a long exposure real time turns off as accumulating light builds, so you have to imagine what you are taking. Digital could not cope with such a long exposure. I still use film rather than digital for my private work as I prefer the aesthetics and skill level involved. I was delighted when I first saw the poster up in Whitby Station.
David’s photographs shy away from the usual depictions of gems such as the beautifully restored Sir Nigel Gresley. “All locomotives are in a constant state of repair. With limited funds available for restoration the NYMR has to prioritise their best and so some are not used. One of my pictures features a USA locomotive which served in Poland during WWII. To me it is like a soldier who has been to war and should be honoured not just put to one side.”
As David approaches his final year show he is involved in other transports of delight, busy photographing classic cars for his final project. With his determination and committed approach to his craft, we trust that he will go far.