Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 41: October 24, 2005

[Anonymous]

Photo 2 just grabbed me.

[mandelswamp]

Photo 1 is interesting but the rear of the locomotive and the freight cars behind the locomotive are too dark to see. If I hadn't enlarged the picture, I would have thought the shot was of the locomotive head on! The only negative point in Photo 2 was the electrical or telephone lines across the top of the picture. I voted for Photo 2 this time.

[CopCarSS]

Definately Photo #2 this week, guys.

Photo number one would have had a much better reception if it had been taken from the other side of the tracks. As it is, the contrast is just way too high. The nose of the lead loco is well lit, but the rest of the train just randomly disappears in some insanely dark shadows.

Photo number two almost has the reverse problem...too little contrast. However, I think autumn is one season where railroad photography is a little more forgiving of cloudy skies, and flat even lighting. The saturation in the colorful trees is increased, and the overall picture is very well balanced. The one suggestion I would make for the shot is getting a little longer focal length (or cropping a bit). This would eliminate the power lines, and the gray sky, and make the shot just a touch better.

As it is, both shots are nice, and I'm really starting to look forward to this competition every week to see the lovely images that you guys are producing. You've certainly improved since the first installments!

By the way, when are you guys going to get some Rebel XT's?

[UPTRAIN]

I loved the fall foliage in number 2, not crazy about the power, but the photo had mood.

[DICKK]

Voted for photo 2. Fall foliage and more visible train did it. Just call me a sentimental guy.

[kicksvette]

Get to see quite a few CEFX units and the blue scheme is much better than all the relettered units running aroundin various colors. But the angle of the lighting does nothing for the shot.
The multiple colors of the locos and the consist play well with the multiple colors of the fall foliage. The overcast sky doesn't allow the colors to 'pop' but it does even out the overall pic and prevents harsh shadows.
Had to go with #2.

[88gta350]

At first, when I saw the thumbnails, I thought I'd like Photo 1 best. Photo 2 looked too gloomy. But upon seeing the large versions I love the fall colors and rain slicked look of photo 2. And manifest freights have always been my favorite. Photo 1 has better lighting, but it's just another 3/4 wedge and is missing the great fall colors. Photo 2 is more interesting and gets my vote.

[espeefoamer]

I like the way the sun shines on the nose of the loco in photo 1,but the entire side of the train is in dark shadow except for a few cars in the background of the photo.The train curving through the fall colors in photo 2 was great! Photo 2 easily gets my vote[:)].

[Anonymous]

I guess I have had to look at too many model railroad pictures of the tops of trains, buildings etc.. I prefer the real world, ground level view of Photo 1. The fall foliage was nice but not great, interesting if the photos had been shot on the same day would photo 1 have been more "colorful"? In addition the criticsm of Photo 1's dark train is one of the aspects that caught and held my attention, fereting out the shadowy details down the track, while Photo 2 is what you see is what you get, humdrum, no intrigue, good shot , but not great.
Will ... [2c]

[FrankStratton]

I'll tell you what, #2 is going to run away with this one. #1 could have been a good photo had everything behind the front of the locomotive not been so dark. I'm sorry to say that picture #1 is a terrible example of photography. Photo #2 is truly a beautiful photograph.

[Anonymous]

Photo 2 was a calendar shot, very nice, but photo 1 showed me the hogger hard at work. I went for photo 1.

When are you guys going to tackle black and white? Color isn't everything and it would be interesting to see what kind of B&W photos the Rebel can turn out.

[Anonymous]

I liked photo no. 2, and the way the fall foliage set off the manifest train.

[fish1467]

Photo 2, nice! It would look great on the wall of my train room.

[Anonymous]

Photo 2 for all of the reasons above. Beautiful pic!

[steve14]

I like the setting of #1 with the dip in the grade behind the train and the signal, just wi***here was more light on the side of the train. Have to go with #2 if I had to choose, which I don't really want to since they both have their interesting points.