Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 25: February 21, 2005

[Anonymous]

I voted for #1 because it's different. 3/4 in full sun is preferred by some but gets stale after awhile.

Matt

[trainloco647]

Photo # 1! Striking originality, wins my vote.

[Anonymous]

Neither are academy award winners, but I must go with #2.
#1 had a chance, but it's too early/late in the day by just minutes - too dark to really
say, "pick me!" (If you look closely, there IS an engineer in there - I think!)
#2 is good - though somewhat common. Sun-time-change may have helped here, too.
The nose is a little dark on the engr's side . . .

[Anonymous]

Photo one provides lots of drama despite wash out of sky. Photo two is great shot of a bunch of UPs in an impressive line up. Photo two looks like a static shoot for a magazine cover. Bring on the drama!

[Anonymous]

#2 could be a UP picture postcard - or calander shot. A great combination of being in the right place at the right time. Yeah it is a little same old same old - but I like it.

[Chris Owens]

Photo # 2 was great! a very good shot! but kind of straight on, not a hard shot...But I really like and voted for photo # 1, Because it was a heck of a shot I think it was a difficult shot and it worked out great, with the light and darkness, Such detail! Way to Go! two thumbs up!!!!!!
Chris Owens
Columbus, NC

[kuschi]

Long train, more than a handful engines, great weather, blue sky. What do you want more? Photo #2

[Anonymous]

Voted for photo #1. Although #2 is picture perfect, I am tired of seeing snow.

[wildbill]

Voted for #2, even though it is a fairly standard shot. But, it is technically excellent, which #1 is not (a little Photoshop touch -up would help greatly). In addition, I have never been a big fan of telephoto compression (too much of a realist). I would rather move in closer and shoot with a standard focal length lens.

[bobgroh]

I'll just let 'nscnotp' say it for me:

QUOTE: Originally posted by nscnotp

Instead of being a techie, let me put it another way.

Photo 1: Too much background light makes the loco dark but I do love the light on the stacks.

Photo 2: Snow, yes. Partly/Mostly Sunny, Yes. A bunch of units to round out a very nice photo, YES!!!!

#2 is the winner!!!!!!!!

Dead on. #1 has some real potential with the shadows along the side of the train but the too dark nose just kills it. #2 is very nice if a little 'ordinary' . I really wanted to grab #1 and do a little gamma filtering on it to lift the engine out of the gloom. In fact, I think I'll try it! I realize you like making it tough with the 'no post editing' but the temptation is there! Then again I'm not that good a photographer.

[elangeland]

Photo #1 was artistically better, no question about it: the lighting conveys a strong mood and it has the drama of a head-on shot. However I found it too dark for my liking compared to the other entry. In the abscence of any other criteria, I vote on the basis of "which one would I hang on my wall?" so photo #2 gets my vote. The brighter colours appeal to me despite the blandness of a standard 3/4 shot on straight track.

This is a perfect example of why I think that there should be a theme to either the voting or the selection of pictures. In different circumstances, I would likely have voted for photo 1.

[Anonymous]

Where can I send My pictures to? I am a railroader and taken many pictures of both the railroad and scenery.

[Anonymous]

I voted for #2 as I like showing power units, especially when they are clean lookiing, it was a very nice shot.

[Anonymous]

Hello All: Gotta go with #1 it has mystic Steve

[npapaletsos]

Hello to everyone
Both pictures are great, I love snow, I love snow and sun. But I have to admit that No2 is a bit too much wide angle for me. On the other hand, No1 one has this great aspect of shadow and back light sun. I love such a situation where the sun although against you, is good for such a shot. So this time is No1 for me.
Take care everyone and please be careful
Nikos Papaletsos
Thessaloniki Northern Greece