With all the threads about the MR photo contest winners, I am interested in seeing what those of us who did not make the final cut had submitted. To start off below is my submission to this year's contest. Anyone else care to post their submission?Obviously a case of “too many Chiefs and not enough Indians”, one lone mechanic suffers the attention of three shop supervisors as he works through the night. The photograph is an interior shot from the engine house on my On30 layout, which is set in Colorado in the early 1900’s. I took the photograph using only the model’s interior lighting, consisting of three GOW bulbs. The camera I used is a Kodak Z712 IS digital, which was preset in Close-up/Macro mode. I made some minor corrections to contrast and highlights with Microsoft Digital Image Pro photo-editing software.
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
It sure looks good to me, but I'm not a photography expert so my opinion probably doesn't count for much. At least you participated and put forth the effort - I didn't even do that!
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
Very nice! I'd say it's up there with the winners, and could have easily won!
Your attempt was way better than mine. I didn't enter.
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Here's mine from a couple of years ago, I used Helicon Focus.
Harold
hminky Here's mine from a couple of years ago, I used Helicon Focus. Harold
Also NG? And just where is all that beer headed?
While not submitted to MR's photo contest, this was submitted to a popular online rail pictures site - and was refuse. They said, "Too dark overall..." Hello! I was photographing it in a snowshower! "The subject was too dark" I was intentionally contrasting the dark hulk of the train against the white snow of the scenery! I also wanted the lights of the locomotive to stand out! "Spots on image"! The were SNOWFLAKES I waited for a snowshower just to get the flakes on the image!
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
I entered these two and one more that I can't find on my Photobucket album. Looking at the winners I'm not surprised they beat me.
PA&ERR -George
George,
I really like your photo, but then again I like cold, dark and gloomy.
Tom
George I like it even though they (I'm assuming you're talking about RailPictures.net) didn't. They'll find just about any reason to reject a photo.
And then when it's perfect, they'll give you "Poor Esthetic Quality," just because they don't like it... *rolls eyes*
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
Joe, Tom,
Thank you for your comments. I appreciate them. I also got the feeling about Railpictures that you need to present them with more than just a great photo, if you know what I mean...
Coborn
Nothing is stopping me from enjoying it. I do so very much - I use it as my wallpaper.
Also, I'm not whinning, I'm giving background on the photo - why they rejected it (so they claim) and my response to that. As Tom pointed out, there seems to be more to getting photos displayed at Railpictures than just good photography.
You don't like my picture, and I'm okay with that. It doesn't bother me. However, I think a single response would have been more than sufficient to express that point of view.
And yes, the model pictures here are very good! In fact, Ty's second picture feels more like an oil painting than a photo.
Good work by all!
Just to clarify a point. My objective here is not to have people complain about the results of the contest. I am sure that MR received hundreds, if not thousands, of great photos. They could only select a handful of contestants to publish. Treat this as an opportunity for the rest of us to show what we can do.
Looking at the contest photos and the shots here, I'd guess that the contest judges were looking for photos that looked as much like prototype scenes as possible. Stebbycentral's and Harold's photos are carefully crafted, excellent shots, but it's easy enough to tell that they are models.
The "I can't believe that's not real" concept is nice, but there is certainly a place for the craftsmanship you guys have shown, too.
By the way, I'm surprised no one has commented on our own Mikelh's photo, which won Honorable Mention. Congrats, Mike.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
PA&ERRAlso, I'm not whinning, I'm giving background on the photo - why they rejected it (so they claim) and my response to that.
The thing is, if you have to explain it, then the photo's not good enough. It needs to stand alone. That is true in all photography.
MisterBeasleyLooking at the contest photos and the shots here, I'd guess that the contest judges were looking for photos that looked as much like prototype scenes as possible. Stebbycentral's and Harold's photos are carefully crafted, excellent shots, but it's easy enough to tell that they are models. The "I can't believe that's not real" concept is nice, but there is certainly a place for the craftsmanship you guys have shown, too. By the way, I'm surprised no one has commented on our own Mikelh's photo, which won Honorable Mention. Congrats, Mike.
Most of my pictures have been of the "Realism" school but most in the hobby prefer caricature.
hminky Most of my pictures have been of the "Realism" school but most in the hobby prefer caricature.
I always like your photos because of the high level of craftsmanship, the attention to detail and the careful photography. These are qualities which show through whether the scene is realistic or whimsical. Thanks for setting the bar so high. It gives us all something to strive for.
MisterBeasley By the way, I'm surprised no one has commented on our own Mikelh's photo, which won Honorable Mention. Congrats, Mike.
Only because I haven't seen it yet. The April issue is not on the newstands in my area.
MisterBeasleyBy the way, I'm surprised no one has commented on our own Mikelh's photo, which won Honorable Mention. Congrats, Mike.
I already did in WPF last week. And why bring it up again here? He didn't lose!
I don't even dare submit to railpictures dot net. They are legendary for their rejections; however, if you wait a few years to submit your photo, they'll like it more when it is more vintage. :)
I'm with Beasley. I love to see the shots that remove as much as possible, the realistics, but you almost can't get every problem. What does it for me, is the angles, that dare to get in the layout. One of the things tht I also like about MR over some other magazines, they don' have all of their pictures as layout overviews, some of them only give you the 2 feet a scale railfan would see.
And I agree, the roundhouse shot is one of my faves, and I'd have put it in for the honorable mention at least.
-Morgan