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[CTGreybeard]

This was a hard call for me but I ended up voting for Mike's shot. I think it's because I'm more of a "hardware" guy than an "artistic" guy. One thought that I had on Eric's was that if it had been a yard and there were a lot of rails reflecting the rising sun it would have appealed more. I don't know why, exactly, but the thought came into my head.

As for retouching ... I agree with the folks that say it's OK as long as the unretouched version is available at the same time. Then we can judge the degree that the original was retouched. I feel that enhancement is OK to compensate for less than ideal environment (lack of contrast would be high on that list) but retouching to remove a bothersome object would NOT be OK. I know that is done in professional magazines (we have friends who do major retouching for some national mags that use photos extensively.) But if you are presenting a photo for it's own sake then major alterations turn the judgement away from a photo contest and make it a contest for who can do the best manipulation. I would put minor rotation, cropping, and some contrast and color balance adjustments as OK; Erasure and insertion of elements of the picture would not be alowed. My basis for selection might be that anything the human eye can do for itself should be OK and I think that would include the above items. The eye, after all, is a very versatile instrument that compensates much better than the usual camera.

[garenbu]

Night shot wins in our opinion. Some back lits are fine, but not our favorites. We would prefer that the photos would not be altered.

erielack

[Anonymous]

I voted for Mike's as I could see more. Erik's photo had to much sun and it was hard to see, I am against manipulating the photos. I feel they are to be shown as they are taken. Some manipulation is acceptable. but the original untouched should be also shown and the one voted on.

[Anonymous]

I think some enhancements would be fine, as long as the original photo was included.

[jimmac230]

The night shot has the vote, the engine is sitting on idle waiting for the next assignment. The morning shot was okay, but getting a night shot of that quality is very hard to get.

[Anonymous]

I liked Erik's shot. You can see the light from the sun, and the color, but you're not dazzled by the sun itself, as in Mike's similar shot that he decided not to enter. I did also like the night shot, but I don't recall purple or blue as being in WC's color scheme.

As for retouching, I don't mind. I like the effect Mike got on his photo. I too am amazed at what is hidden in digital images and how it can be revealed. But no special effects. It must be in the original, however you have to coax it out. PhotoShop and PhotoDraw are the digital darkrooms of the day. I think if Ansel Adams shot digital, he would use what was available to make his pictures perfect, just as he did in the darkrooms of his day.

[ValorStorm]

Eric's got my nod as it's real life with a real train, and it doesn't look posed. As for the editing issue, no problem. But it would be ill advised to go as far as removing errant tree branches, junk cars, etc. I'd make an exception for explicit grafiti tho.

[Anonymous]

This week you out did yourselves both photos were top of the line, they were so good I had to sleep on it and Mike you got my vote. Erik, those of us that have chased trains know that more than once we've been in the wrong place at the wrong time. That shot of the five CP units and you being in the wrong place was a ok. But [8] you kept on an on give us break [{(-_-)}] that was the tie breaker for me. Mike, Mike [:)]

[jimitimi]

That night shot is really cool!!!

[Anonymous]

I say go ahead and enhance the photo if you are not satisfied with it as taken.

[Anonymous]

Both shots are interesting but lacking something.

I also agree that posting both before & after versions of edited shots is a good idea. The before could be smaller than the after version if needed to fit.

Clicker2860