Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 13: August 9, 2004

[kolechovski]

boshar1: You wanted to know how to put up a picture. Although I don't know how to post one right here, I just used a site to post a screenshot 2 days ago and I like it. It's pretty simple to use and is quick to register. Go to imagedump.com, post your picture there by uploading it to their server, then when you look at it, just copy the URL and paste it here. I'd like to see it.

[Anonymous]

Hey guys, long time, no post! Sorry for the lack of my allegience lately, as I have been very busy myself [;)]. I even got shots of the Kerry-Edwards Special train, http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=2955 click on that to see all of my latest, high quality work. Hey Erik, do you think TRAINS Mag would like some photos of the K-E Special? [:D] Anyway, I have always liked the creative artistic side of rail photography, and Erik, I must say, you have an outstanding photo! It is a self described incredable shot, great work! So, I Have to go with Erik's photo. [8D]

[jimmac230]

Man both you guys just keep coming with the photos. Mike's is great because I too photograph Union Pacific trains and Erik's photo with the sun shot to me is poster quality again and for this reason I voted for Erik's with Mike's an so extremely close second. Still the photos are absolutely great and keep up the excellent work.

[Anonymous]

Tough vote but I went with Eric's photo. Mike's photo is good also but I think the train is too far away. Eric's photo just pops out more and is more pleasing to my eyes.

[MP57313]

I voted for Mike's photo for the reasons listed above...jointed rail, etc.

I agree with Leeson55; I would have liked Erik's photo better with just the signals...

[wcfan4ever]

I love Mikes. I try so hard to get photos like that. I love the photo because of the coaling tower in the distance. Plus just for being able to see a train on the line just makes the photo a winner.

I have traveled along those tracks every summer for the past 6 years and I have only seen one train. I have waited at many crossings and nothing. Great Shot Mike! A+!

[Anonymous]

Hey Eric,
I think you had the right idea but your angle of attack could be better or your choice of subject could,ve been different. For example, if there was someway to shoot from the same location but from a higher elevation so the engine, sun, and signals could be centered in the shot might have been nice. Even waiting for the engine to be centered in the frame and have it backlit might have done it. Or waiting for perhaps an empty flat car framed with tank or hopper cars with the sun in the middle of the flatcar would have given you that artsy photo you desire. Be patient my friend, good things come to those who wait.

[Anonymous]

UNION PACIFIC - bring it on.

[zardoz]

A very difficult choice.

Mike has created an image that does indeed show railroading in a more "classic" or "traditional" setting (jointed rail, coaling tower) that almost could be a photo from anytime in the last twenty-five years (if one ignores the ditch lights and UP in Wisconsin).

Eric's shot I like because I can appreciate the difficulty in getting such a shot. And as much as I like the 'traditional' aspects of Mike's photo, I am more "emotionally" drawn to Erik's. Plus ya gotta love the profile of the SD40-2's front porch!

49/100 for Mike; 51/100 for Erik.

[Willy2]

I had a hard time choosing, but I think I'll go with Mike's photo. I thought that Eric's was a little too dark, and I like seeing all of the scenery in Mike's photo.

[Anonymous]

I prefered Mike's photo simply, because it had more of the things that I look for, in train photos...The artistic qualities of Eric's shot, definately would make it a good calendar or Art Gallery subject, but is not what I personally would be looking for, in taking railfan train pictures. Another Good Installment Guys !!!