Trackside with Erik and Mike Vol. 3 - March 1, 2004

[Bergie]

In our new online feature, Trackside with Erik and Mike, Trains.com staff members Erik Bergstrom and Mike Yuhas go trackside and share with you their results, as well as what they’ve learned. In each installment, we’ll include let our users vote on who got the best shot. Read this week’s installment.

[northwesterner]

I voted for #1 because of the composition, not the lighting. Using a long lens allows the photographer to capture not only the lead engine but part of the train coming therough the curve. The lighting, however, leaves much to be desired. Photo #2, while well-lit and composed, is for me, a little boring as I see Metra commuter trains every day.

[Anonymous]

It has to be number 2. Who wouldn't pass up a Metra kicking up snow?

[JoeKoh]

I like #1 because it looks like the train is pulling hard.the light isnt the greatest but thats what happens sometimes in winter.
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

I like both, but chose #1. I like the look of the train snaking it's way through the dim winter scene.

[kolechovski]

The lighting is much better photo 2

[DICKK]

I voted for number one. The picture seemed to show that even in the dark of winter, rail power still prevails. Commuter trains just do not demonstrate that.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to have to go with photo 2 this week, to me the first was just a little to dark.

I also liked that look of the snow trail in photo 2.

[Anonymous]

There is nothing like a canadian national freight in the winter.I recall the
covered wagons pushing the plows as lived in Brookville just outside Saint
John New Brunswick.I have found the wonder in any railroad in winter but
CN Rail always wowed me as still does.

Eastern Passage

[overall]

I voted for one. I like trains going around curves.

George

[Anonymous]

Oh common, who can resist the classic shot of the speeding passenger train kicking up a cloud of dust (or in this case snow)? Although, I do have to give credit to the shot with the weaving train.
Erik, or Mike, what do you think of this shot that I took not that long ago?



For more of my photos go here:
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=2955

[CTGreybeard]

Photo #1 ... I read recently that train photos on curves are more photogenic and I have to agree. This particular one had poor lighting which was too bad but it had lots of potential. There is just something about pulling around a curve that grabs me.

The other could be OK if it showed more detail. It's a good shot, good lighting, nice effect with the snow and all, but a straight-on shot has to show detail that's not seen by the regular bystander.

Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

photo #2..it's just better photography!

[gannbb1]

Photo 1 definitely tells a story. I like the heat waves from the exhaust. Should have panned up enough to get top of silos and get rid of or crop out the white road or whatever in the foreground. Lighting? I don't know. At first I thought it looked like any amature auto exposure fooled by the snow but then the exposure DOES set a mood.

I voted for Photo 2 because the speed indicated by the snow effect and distance compression of the long lens also tells a story . One that a railfan does not need to rack his brain to understand!!

[Anonymous]

I'm not much on mood shots so choose #2. The shot of the WC unit in the write up is better thaneither of the vote choices, IMHO.