Trackside vol. 129 "Tell a story" is live

[drgw17]

Wow--tough assignment. And some nice work. Yet, while all photos illustrate a story, do any of them TELL a story? And to whom? Do you have to be a railfan to "get it?" To be fair, in (nearly) a half century of shooting, I can't think of a single image I've made that fills the bill. Still, that was the theme. Jim's shot had a nice, little-engine-that-could feel to it (and what danger lies in that tunnel up ahead?), but that wasn't really his point. Steve, who has given us some wonderful work over the last few weeks, made a very fine portrait, beautifully framed and lit so the 3751's drivers added to but didn't dominate the shot. But whose kids were those? Newly-minted rail enthusiasts, or grandkids of the engineer? An "our first train ride" sign might have sold it, but that would have been a gimmick. And Alex, well, I shot those same semaphores, though perhaps not so well, 15 years ago. Semaphores are always a story these days, but only to those of us in the know. So Matt got my vote. And at that, he had a crutch to work with--the writing on the post, which pulls the history element into focus. The B&W was a nice touch, too, although I wish the post weren't dead-center. Despite what seems to be a lot of criticism, however, I DID enjoy hearing the stories behind the photos. Thanks, guys!

[XE-50W]

Like many, this was a difficult choice to make.  Matt's clearly expressed a great historical theme in both image and text - the Overland Route's past century and a half.  Using b&w for the former just enhanced the context, although the low-contrast backdrop initially made it somewhat imperceptible.  This was a very narrow runner-up.

Steve's (current) 2nd place in voting clearly reflects a strong personal connection for many.  Despite the use of the former AT&SF 4-8-4 #3751's running gear as a(n admittedly slightly digitally tweaked) backdrop, it just isn't that significant for everyone.  As has already been stated, this theme is subject-to a wide array of responses, which are more significant for some than others.

Andy's just barely edged-out Matt's for me.  What gave this particular offering the margin was both the dramatic composition and the (somewhat extensive) text.  The low-angle front-lit view w/rainbow backdrop and puddles clearly depicted a "post-precipitation" event.  The story (despite an obvious historical inaccuracy, the certain former RR's electric motive power mentioned ran 'til mid-June, 1974) did a thorough job of expanding and enhancing the story-telling theme.

[Bruce Kelly]

Jim, Andy, and Alex had the best written and more meaningful stories to tell with their photos. Of those, I found Jim's submission to be the winner. Excellent photo (composition, color, sharpness, etc.) in a really unique place, with text that's as complete and polished as a mini-feature, telling me exactly what makes this picture and location noteworthy. But I have to agree with TJB; it would be a real challenge to tackle this theme with a photo that tells a story without needing supporting text. Paging Ted Benson...

[klausb62]

I voted Steve's pic because as he said, he portraited "those moments that makes someone a life long railfan". I'm almost 48, and I clearly remember when I experienced that moment about 40+ years ago. Keep the good work!!

[Kevin P. Keefe]

Lots of good stuff here, especially Steve Crise's exquisite portrait of children with an engineer. But my vote went to Matt Van Hattem. I love to see photographers fit railroading into a larger historical context, and Matt's homage to the overland route does just that. It's nice to see black and white, too.

[Choo Choo Aussie]

The two best story tellers were Steve and Andy.  It was very hard to choose between the two.  Steve's was really only a maybe or what if when the children grow up, will they remember.  Remembering times with friends and workmates and actually being on the job did it for me.  I know a retired engineer and the stories he can tell, I can sit and listen for hours.  Andy's was one of those type of stories.  Well done.

 

[TOMinTN]

Back again briefly with a suggestion for those who assemble the "Trackside" competitions. 

How about the same theme ("Tells a Story")...but without written descriptives by the photographers...just their names?

Let the minds of the participants in the voting create whatever story they see.  The results ought to be very interesting.

TJB / Nashville, TN

[Scott from Napoleon]

I went w/Steve's pic/story because it reminds me of an adventure that passed me by.  I used to railfan as a kid along the B&O/Cheesie System in Holgate, OH.  Everytime a train went thru town, I was there at the tracks.  One time a train stopped to switch some cars in the grain elevator siding.  The engineer motioned for me to climb aboard.  I said no, I don't think so.  He motioned again, but I didn't.  I would give anything to relive that moment,,,,and this time take him up on the offer.

[tree68]

Matt, Andy, and Drew did pretty well, but this Larry has to agree with the other Larry - Steve's picture told a story without even having to read the narrative.

[lhtalbot]

I think I may have screwed up! I was looking for a picture that told a story. I voted for Steve's shot because it seemed to tell a story before I read any narrative. If I were to vote for the picture that best accompanied a story, it would be Andy's, a pretty good shot even without a story. I will stand by my choice tho, because I like the story it seems to tell. You can see the enjoyment on the faces of young & old. Obviously because a steam train (my grandson calls them hot trains) is involved, it's a special trip for both.

Thanks for all the pics, all well done. Glad to see the number of pics submitted picking up again.

Larry in Wauwatosa

[DadH]

Went with Matt... the photo told the story; the story complemented the photo. What more could you ask in this "Tell a story" sequence. Quien Sabe!!!

[gemotor]

 I voted for Matt's photo.  Although not the best photographically, it tells a story the best, and I thought that is what this poll is about.

 

George in Lynden

[loadmaster747]

Andy's photo of the rainbow over his DM&E train was very nearly enough to garner my vote this month, but after having read all the stories attached to the photos, the combination of his photo and story left all the others to wrangle over 2nd place.

[TOMinTN]

I have a feeling I'll be out on a very lonely limb this time, because I voted for David Lustig's shot of the narrow gauge line disappearing at the horizon on its way to the distant mountains.

The story was not so much what the picture told me, but the questions it posed.  What kind of equipment rode these polished rails?  Where was it coming from?  What was the cargo?  Where was it going?

Sometimes an untold story is more intriguing that one that spells out all the details.

OK, so the story WAS revealed...but I studied the photo before I read the caption...and still liked the mysterious aspect of the scene.

TJB / Nashville, TN

[LU-Trains]

  All great stories - Lots of "tug at your heart moments”.  If I had to vote for stories, I'd probably go with Andy's, however I think the PICTURE that tells the best story is Matt Van Hattem’s black and white capture of an historical juncture.  Let’s hope there’s never a marker erected commemorating the demise of the railroad . . . .

 Matt got my vote.

[LVJJJ]

I'm with diningcar and modelcar, love the old west, Wyoming and the black n white photo of Matt's.  So that's 3 votes, out of 4 or 5 comments, yet Matt only has 4 % of the vote??  something rigged?

[espeefoamer]

Andy's photo got my vote. I think he told tyhe best story, and the photo of the train with the rainbow overhead was perfect.

[Modelcar]

I have decided to vote for Matt's expression to "Tell a story".....including the transportation route and method of what....a hunderd years ago, and a form of transit in use now.

There were several very approprate and very nice photos to compete...But, the old story....Vote for one.

[diningcar]

Matt gets my vote, as much for the creativeness in finding the location and putting this story before us.

[CShaveRR]

I don't think I've ever been the first one to vote before! For me, it was Andy's picture and story, hands down and t-shirt off!

[Matt Quandt]

Trackside vol. 129 rings in the new year with a bang. Seven of our photographers submitted photos. We asked them to "tell us a story" with their submissions, so be sure to read the text that accompanies each photo.

Peruse vol. 129 here.