Welcome to my latest travel photography journal! For months, I’ve been dreaming of capturing a very specific shot on one of the world’s most scenic rail routes, and this winter, I finally did it.
The Location: Erzincan, Turkey
This image was taken near Erzincan, in eastern Turkey, right on the edge of the breathtaking Karanlık Kanyon (Dark Canyon). The canyon is famed for its rugged, almost prehistoric beauty, where the sheer cliff faces drop dramatically into the winding Euphrates River. But it’s not just accessible by boat; a train track is carved right into the rock face.
The Subject: The Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi)
The subject isn’t just the landscape; it’s the legendary Doğu Ekspresi (Eastern Express). This train travels 1,300 kilometers from Ankara to Kars, but this specific stretch through the canyons is the most iconic. Catching this shot requires perfect timing and patience.
Behind the Shot: The Moment of Capture
This is not a drone shot! I was actually standing on another train, leaning out a door, waiting for the moments when our tracks would align parallel to the canyon wall.
The lighting in canyons is notoriously tricky. I shot this during the cold light of a winter afternoon. While the high sun can cast deep, harsh shadows, the bright, diffuse white sky on this day (as you can see) acted like a giant softbox, evenly illuminating the texture of the orange cliffs and making the emerald water of the Euphrates pop.
Composition: The Three S’s
When I composed this frame, I was looking for three key elements:
- Scale: The tiny train cars winding along the base of the massive cliffs emphasize how colossal the canyon walls really are.
- Symmetry: I framed it to highlight the reflection. The jagged, golden-brown rock formations are mirrored almost perfectly in the still water below, creating a satisfying visual symmetry.
- Storytelling: This isn’t just a static shot. The perspective (with a small edge of my train window visible in the extreme foreground on the left) gives you the feeling of being there, leaning out and experiencing the rush of cold air as the train moves.
The Vibe: Solitude and Adventure
I love the feeling this image evokes. There are no people, no signs of modern construction beyond the train and tracks. Just millions of years of geology and a small human innovation coexisting in a space of quiet majesty.
Final Thoughts
This shot was more than just press-and-shoot; it was about anticipation, patience, and embracing the challenge of shooting from a moving vehicle. It serves as a reminder to me that sometimes the best vantage point for photography is right in the middle of the adventure itself.
Thanks for joining me on this virtual train ride through Eastern Turkey. Stay tuned for more stories from the rails!