Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 32: June 6, 2005

[CopCarSS]

You guys are really starting to bring some great pictures every week. This was a really tough decision this week. I picked Erik's shot just becuase the closer locomotive wasn't cut off. Mike, I think yours was an interesting shot, and I did like sky and color temperature of yours better, but I would have liked to see the crop done above the window of teh CN unit, instead of through it.

Once again guys, it's getting to be a real thrill to see what you bring to the competition every week. Some truly outstanding work!

[Noah Hofrichter]

I went with Erik's shot this week. The fact that one can't see the whole locomotive in Mike's photo was one of my main decisions. Espeefoamer summed up the rest of the thoughts I had too.

Noah

[Anonymous]

I voted for Erik's photo. You've got to live those Conrail units! As others have said, espeefoamer sums it up pretty good.

[steve14]

Went with Eric. Both shots are on territory I worked on during the short period it was all Soo Line. Really liked the shot that wasn't submitted of the CN train in the glow of the evening, though.

I remember picking up the derailment in Elm Grove in the early 90's of a train coming down off the hill that stacked up a bunch of cars at Watertown Plank Road.

[kolechovski]

They're both so good. I chose Erik's since it seemed to have more to look at with the extra crossover tracks and the crossing.

[trainloco647]

Sorry Mike...

Why in the world did you submit this photo, when you had a much better chance with your "winning" shot of the whole CN Train????? For the sake of "originality"???

Well... Keep your "pencils sharpened" and your "lenses polished" for the next instalment of "Trackside with.... "

Bye and good luck!

PS - For the record, I voted for Erik's shot, although I don't like it that much, either.

Carl

[081440]

Fantasitic!!!! Keep up the great work! You guys never cease to impress. [swg]

[wcnut]

I can't believe I voted against my maroon & gold!!! Another hard choice, its funny how similar some elements are in each photo, but in the end I think Erik's was stronger. The pollen floating and the exhaust blasting into the air are nice elements.

Greg
"wcnut"

[kicksvette]

Mike's shot just doesn't feel right. The CN is in focus but you can't see enough of of the unit even though it takes up almost 50% of the pic. The WC units are out of focus. A wider zoom on the shot with a camera angle a bit more to the photog's left may have better balanced the overall pic.

Erik's shot is a bit off in the point of focus in that he shows maximum sharpness on about the 3rd flat. But the overall feel of the pic is much better. It doesn't look like O scale next to Z scale. And the softness throughout the pic gives a sense of the haze that can be found in the air as the Midwest warms up. Down here, south of the Cheddar Curtain, the weather is in that hot/humid mode that leaves me driving through less than clear air for the 6 a.m. commute to work and anything from evening haze to full blown evening t-storms. About the only thing missing from the shot is a cottonwood tree dumping enough white fluff to make it look like snow.

Erik takes it this week.

[Anonymous]

Can you tell that summer is here just look at this week photos. About a mounth ago the shots were getting a little dull but hot dam its going tobe a good summer.!
Congrats to both Erik and Mike. Vote for Mike

[Anonymous]

Why don't you come "down under" and photograph some real trains!!
Did you know we have GM "Bulldogs" (3,000 h/p) still running down here "
as well as good old smokey Alcos. Thanks for all the fun you guys share with
us I really look forward to your "adventures?? By the way Canon have released
here a new 8 mp replacement (EOS 350D) for your Digital Rebel, don't know
whether you guys know about it yet??

[acelachaser]

I loved both shots equally, but I went with Mike's shot this week because although the approaching train is out of focus, the focal point is on the CN unit and the Rebel really shows picking up the details in low light. Compositionwise, I like Mike's photo because the focal point leads your eyes to the details on the CN unit and it's always a plus when your main subject is in focus and the background enhances it. Although I like the lighting and haze effect of Erik's shot, its a little too busy to concentrate on any one subject.

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm in the minority, I went with Mikes shot. Both are great, you can't get any better then the late afternoon light, but Mike's shows the past and present of Wisconsin railroading. The faded image of the past, the Wisconsin Central and the "in your face" class one, the Canadian National.

Wish I could vote for both.
-Justin Franz

[jjlamkin]

Sorry Mike, I had to vote for Erik's photo. It was a close call, Mike's was cool because of the lighting effect, it kind of had an eriee look, like on one of the "Mad Max" movies after the fallout! Erik's got my attention because you can see both locos completely and the diesel smoke pouring out, tells you these locos are really working. Keep up the GREAT job, both of you. Stay safe! Jim

[trainboyH16-44]

It was a tough choice, well, I still don't know, actually!
I think that mike should have submitted the CN freight coming around the corner. I really love that one, especially the light!
Right now, we can't take photos here, because it has been raining nonstop for a week!
Flooding has forced the evacuation of several towns to the south and west!
Maybe in two weeks after the rain goes away, I will get some good pictures.
We've already had more precipitation than in 2004, and in 2003, and quite possibly 2002!
Matthew