Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 24: January 31, 2005

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I voted for picture #2. I agree with several other voters: Photo #1 is clearer,but it is just the train. Photo #2 is a further distant shot, you see the train moving uphill out of a dip and the signal lights. It sets the object (the train) in context.
Thanks,
Fliegles

[Anonymous]

I voted for two. It was a hard choice. I sat there for a good while picking apart each photo. Though as said earlier the headlights look better in one and it looks overall more in focus. Pic two just had a feeling of more raw power. The slight blur from the exhaust made the engine look like it was working in notch 8 up the grade. Man I haven't thought that hard for a while.
Good luck to you Mike. I always root for the underdog.
Andrew

[eZAK]

# 1 is a better, sharper, more head end detail shot.

But I voted for # 2 because of the depth of field & over all view that was captured.

[LWales]

Photo 2 shows more of a complete scene, with the milepost 104 (IIRC) sign on the left and the signals to the right in the distance. Sort of looks like photo 1 suffered from some "vertical compression" when it was resized too--that really is a 'wide nose' unit if you cut down the ratio

[Anonymous]

It was real hard, but the signal lights on #2 won my vote.

[npapaletsos]

Hello to everyone

Photo No2 is better, I can see all the train and the slope. I like it better that No 1 were half train is cut abnormaly by the photographer.
Until next time

Nikos Papaletsos Thessaloniki - Northern Greece

[Anonymous]

I Liked the Dip and the Signal showing even though 1 was a bit clearer

[Anonymous]

Thank you As always wonderful photographs It is a pity we have to choose I voted for no.2 as it put the whole train in context Keep up the excellent work

[Gwolfe]

I like #2 for reasons cited above: the bow of the train as it "bottoms" the hill, the greater sense of perspective, the heat waves, etc. What is surprising is a difference in the color balance between these two shots. Assuming they weren't edited in any way, and the Rebel's were both set to AUTO WHITE BALANCE, you would assume identical color rendition. However, #2 is considerably "warmer" in tone. I doubt if our photogs went through the tedius custom white balance procedure out there in the cold, but perhaps one was using a filter. In any case I look forward to their explanation of this difference.

[PRRK4s1361]

Well, here we go again...another runaway. Mike, you better have had the number 2 because Eric is really skunking you in the total run. I chose 2 also for many of the previously mentioned reasons. Both are about the same angle but the larger scope of number 2 did it for me. Take care and stay out of the snowdrifts. BTW; the long hood forward in the snow was pure POWER!! Loved it. Many felt that should have been an entry in the contest.

[jjlamkin]

I voted for photo 1, the color looked better. The red on the CN loco in photo 2 looked bleached out, also the signal on the right was a little distracting in photo 2. GREAT shots! Keep up the good job and keep it safe!

Jim

[Anonymous]

I had to go with #1. The clarity and flare from the headlights were nicely done. Like a few others here, I was distracted by the signal and MP. In spite of shooting into the sun, both photos turned out very well.

Keep up the good work!

[railman]

okay..I've had my fill of the "same picture". Two different trains are okay!

[agdocsouter]

Photo 1. Too much magenta in 2.

[Anonymous]

I have only visited this site, briefly, one or two times before but I really took some time and read this time. I think I'll start visiting more regularly. Even though photo one is a crisper shot I had to go with photo two because of the lineside detail and the heat emanating from the engines. It shows they're working hard, it appears, and the details such as the signals, stop sign, maint. box on the right and the small sign to the left of the lead unit round out the picture perfectly. The contour of the landscape also helps the shot. It's hard to get a great shot when you snap and shoot but sometimes the hurried look works better. Both very good shots, though.