Sunlight Semaphore

Along an abandoned railroad line, this signaling device is a relic from a bygone era. To warn approaching trains that the upcoming section of track was not clear, a mechanical blade was lowered, and a corresponding colored lens was pulled in front of an electric light. Now, only the sun illuminates the stilled sentinel.

For a detailed explanation of semaphore operation, click here.

Location: Southwestern Arizona.
Date: March 9, 2002.
Time: 2:30 p.m. MST.
Camera: Olympus OM-1 35mm SLR.
Film: Fuji Provia 100 slide.
Focal length: 100 mm.
Aperture: f/16-22.
Exposure time: 1/250 second.
Scanner: Nikon Coolscan LS-10E.