Trackside with Erik and Mike Vol. 7: May 3, 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.

[Anonymous]

Would like to call it a tie!, but..voted for number 2. Photo 1 may be the better "train shot". but I liked the shot showing some of the canyon walls and the precipice. Photo 2 enhances the dramatic location these shots were obviously taken at, while photo 1 is reduced to a simple train shot.

[Anonymous]

Both photos are very good, but I voted for #2

[Anonymous]

Both shots were awsome again guys, and allthough pic. #1 is a 'close-up' shot which shows greater detail (road #s color schemes ect.). I voted for pic. # 2 ,because I prefered the horizontally level angle of the shot, and the way that it is centered in the frame.It has that calendar picture Quality look aboult it... Oh by the way, I am feeling just a little jealous of your jobs right now... (what cool opertunities your employment offers you guys or what !!!).

[Anonymous]

It's hard to judge these two photos without knowing their purpose! If the subject is a "train picture" then #2 is a hands-down winner. If the subject is "locomotives/power" my vote would go to #1.

[Anonymous]

Each of these pictures has something going for it.

Pic #1 appears a bit more fuzzy than #2. Perhaps this is because the zoom is racked out a bit more. Upon closer inspection, both are a bit fuzzy.

In # 1, I also wi***he train was a bit lower on the right corner. However, I like the shadow of the engine (it looks a bit like a steam engine to me) and the way the buses add some color to that side of the train. I also like the heat effect, but it isn't very easy to see.

In #2, the colors are a bit brighter, but there is more dull greyish brown in the background. The green on the right helps.

(Note: the wife says the shadow in #1 is "a rat on his back looking at his tail on fire!" She voted for #2, though, because it showed more of the train.)

I think that Mike took #1 and Erik took #2. Why? Because Mike wanted to show that he could do a tight shot, and Erik wanted to do a wide shot, since his reputation is for using "the big lumber."

I'm voting for #2, because it has a bit more depth.

[walthuston]

I like the lighting and composition of photo #1 better. Photo #2 is too "flat" and too dark. It lacks highlights.

Walt Huston

[lordgow]

I went with #1 because I felt the closer, lower shot better conveyed the power of the oncoming locomotives. The extra scenery in #2 was nice, but not really noteworthy in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Voted for photo #1, better composition, and you really get a sence of movement with the train banking into the curve. Well my photographs return, got the replacement and am shooting again, however I just got back from an outing and the camera froze on me! It was a BN "white-face" SD40-2 as well, boy was I pissed. Anyway, here is a photo i shot last week.



Tell me whacha think!

[kolechovski]

I had a hard time choosing. I voted for 1. it's a very nice train picture, and good 'power shot". I also like how up-close-and-personal it gets. 2 is a nice scenic shot, though it would have been even better if the trees had started getting their leaves by then. Both very nice!

[gannbb1]

Gotta go with No.1 for color saturation and framing.

[Anonymous]

Go with first impressions. I voted no. 1. When it first came up on my screen, it burst out shouting, "GANG WAY - RAINBOW COMMING THROUGH." The color of the four engines are bursting. (notice how all four engines are facing forward?) The tight framing puts me almost in the cab. On no. 2, it shows more train. Well, with four engines, we know there is more train, probably a lot more. Kinda like that 10K foot long double stack that came through here not long ago.

Odd to see the CSX colors mixed with BNSF. Kinda like the UP mixed with Norfolk Southern that runs through Johnson City here.

Good shooting, as always.
Doug

[Anonymous]

It has to be Photo #1. It's just so much closer and you can see the train much better.

[JOHNKLUFT]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater

It has to be Photo #1. It's just so much closer and you can see the train much better.

[Anonymous]

I vote for picture # 1 because it seem a little brighter