Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 16: September 27, 2004

[DICKK]

Talk about a dilemma. I usually like shots of the engine plus the cars but the shot of the NS engines coming out of the tunnel reminded me of a black bear rising from hibernation and ready to challenge anyone or anything. That got my vote.

[Anonymous]

Mike's photo's got the edge thanks to fortuitous sunset lighting which complements the color scheme of the loco and rolliung stock, the reflection of the tracks and the roadbed's interesting dip. Right time -- right place. (But I really liked Erik's shot, too).

[rcdailey]

Both shots were fine, but the lighting in Mike's shot makes it much more dramatic. Then there's the fact that those good old Santa Fe colors make it a warm image. You don't get a lot of warmth out of Erik's shot [:D]

[Anonymous]

One tough choice. Mike's higher emotional content (for me) just tilted the scales ever so slightly so he got my vote.

[Anonymous]

I went with Erik, and I hope he goes and gets us a fall color picture from the same spot.

[Anonymous]

Hey I have to go with Erik's. NS all the way baby!!!! :)

[fievel]

Great Photos! They both make me feel like I am there! Tough choice,but I
chose Mike's because I love the pink sky. Reminds me of countless mellow
mornings/evenings trackside.[8D]

[kuschi]

Man, a tough decision! I went with Mike this time, I love taking picture in twilight and I like taking pictures with my zoom objective. Sorry Eric!

[edtrain]

I voted for Mike's picture because of the mood it evoked showing the transition from day to evening. That is a magical time of day.

What really stood out in the large version was the splash of red from the signal. The twilight of the day is just about an ideal time for shooting and it's also very difficult to get a decent shot at this time of day. Mike did a sterling job getting a fine shot especially since he was shooting at 1600 ISO!!

Choosing between the two pictures was hard, I really like Erik's picture, too. I like the evidence of early Spring on the hillside. I love the angle of the camera as the engines emerge from the tunnel. I get the sense of power and motion. This looks to be a pretty isolated place, too... Always fun to get to places that not a lot of others get to. This, too, is a fine photo. Love the CabCam that you pointed out. That seems to be the coming thing.

Ed

[Anonymous]

I voted for Eric's photo, but loved the way the lights of the BNSF reflected off the track in Mike's photo.

[Anonymous]

Very tough pick. I went with Erik, only because I'm on the East Coast - NS Area!

[88gta350]

I like Erik's shot but I love Mike's shot. I think the twilight is what does it for me. Any other time of day and that shot just wouldn't have the same effect.

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with everyone else that this was a tougher choice. My preference for photographs are those that not only highlight the equipment of railroading, but also the environment of railroading. That encompasses producing a shot that leads the viewer to feel the engines, hear the squeel of wheels, feel the dust, read the signals, etc. Both of these photographs do just that. Eric's picture makes me hear the change in engine noise as it exits the tunnel. I like the analogy one of the respondents made, describing it as a black bear exiting a cave - it has that kind of animal power.

In the end though, I preferred the total atmosphere of Mike's shot. Whenever the weather is bad, hot or dusty I think of what the engineers see from their cab windows. Mike's shot combines the right setting and composition with the atmosphere of a train crews experience.

Thanks to both of you for giving us such good examples and for highlighting the importance of location in making a good photograph.

[jjlamkin]

This was very tough!! I went with Erik's photo. I liked the tunnel shot, everything looked really crisp and clear, it makes the locomotive stand out. I am more of a BNSF fan, as their Chillcothe Sub is only a few miles from my house, but the photo just catches my eye. GREAT job both of you!

[walthuston]

I picked Erik's by a slight margin...because it's sharper. I am a BNSF fan so that nearly tipped the table to Mike.

Keep up the good work.