Check out Trackside with Trains.com vol. 128 "Short days"

[Matt Quandt]

Volume 128 of Trackside with Trains.com is up. Four of our photographers — Steve Crise, Andy Cummings, Alex Mayes, and Drew Halverson — submitted images based on the theme, "Short days."

View the images and vote for them here.

[henry6]

All four are really good for the topic.  The mood of Drew's just hit me right.

[CShaveRR]

"Short days" suggested something that wasn't full daylight--for me that ruled out two otherwise nice shots.

So it was a tossup between Drew's and Andy's. I finally went with Andy on the more open shot. Not sure why.

I wonder how many uninformed people will think that Drew's picture shows "cattle cars". (People who think the cattle cars are behind the Amtrak engine need not comment).

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

I agree with Carl's analysis and conclusion.  Specifically, the network of the branches of many trees without leaves and the bands of colors in the sunset background clearly demonstrate what time of year it is, plus the descent into darkness around the train is palpable.

Drew's was also in the running until I looked at the large version - the highway bridges in the thunbnail also looked like sunset color bands to my aging eyes.    It's a good contrasty urban shot and I like the textures and reflections, etc., but the bridges are so brightly lit that it could have been noontime shot as well, with the train just being down in a dark gully or trench.  So I went with Andy's as being most in keeping with the theme for this installment.

Thanks to all the contributors for giving us something to choose from. 

- Paul North.

[Modelcar]

I had to narrow it to both Drew's and Alex's shot.....Both excellent.  Alex's shot appears {to me}, to be a most beautiful, scenic shot....but Drew's has beautiful light formations in it's stucture, sharpness as necessary and the sky and surrounding light conditions shows it's seasonal "short days" rather well.  For me it was Drew's.  The other two were very nice, but for me it just narrowed to the mentioned two.....

[selector]

I like all the images, especially the steam, and most especially the winter steam, but I think the image most applicable to the theme was Andy's.  It could be either morning light or a setting sun, both of which are close impositions on the short days of winter.

-Crandell

[tree68]

Andy's shot got my nod - he nailed the theme right on the head.

Drew's was my second choice.  I hadn't noticed the bridges, though, since I didn't "blow up" the thumbnail.  I'll have to agree with the previous comment about the fact that it could have simply been a shadowy daytime shot.

I actually liked Steve's shot quite well, especially the addition of a human element. 

Alex's shot is spectacular, but the colors don't suggest late day, and even the shadows aren't as long as I would think they should be for an almost sunset/sunrise shot.  He gets my "hang this one on my wall" vote, but not my vote for the theme of the day.

[diningcar]

My vote goes to Steve. He has captured the human element of railroading in a very unique setting, and he did it with a plan. Very well done, Steve.

[XE-50W]

This was a real "toss-up" between Andy's and Drew's as both were the best examples of that low-level lighting shifting towards the ir spectrum found during this time of the year.  Steam scenes were also great w/dramatic low-angle lighting and of-course snow cover, but emphasized the specific motive power involved rather-than their natural (albeit urbanized in Drew's case) everyday settings.  Went w/Drew's largely on being partial to historic locale associated w/a certain former RR that established the trackage through it.

Some notes on Drew's locale and what's seen in the digimage:  it's taken from off the S Side of W Greves St, about a block E-of it's intersection w/N 25th St. W-of downtown Milwaukee.  That's near M/p 86.75 @ the W end of the mile-long tangent of double track out of Union Station on the S side of W St. Paul Ave.  The high bridges seen in the distant background are for both the E/b "on" ramp from I-94's exit #310C to I-43 S/b, w/the latter's S/b lanes's structure near the top-of-frame.  For those somewhat famliar w/this locale, the N 16th St.viaduct over the double-track main and Menominee R. is obstructed by the perspective of ATK's P-40 #16 leading that No.7/27.  CP's "racker" on the E/b main was more-likely waiting-on the absolute signal indication between E-of Union Station and the Menominee draw.  Also a better "urban tunnel" scene would have been from off the E side of the N12th St.'s grade-crossing looking-into the depths of the parking and Post Office structure that covers both the depot and all trackage for nearly that ATK W/b "Empire Builder's" length.

[Mookie]

diningcar

My vote goes to Steve. He has captured the human element of railroading in a very unique setting, and he did it with a plan. Very well done, Steve.

I totally agree!

[edblysard]

Me too,

Although it was hard choice between Steve and Andy, because Andy's shot is something I get to see almost every evening right about now, quite familar and comfortable.

But Steve's shot makes you realize that change happens, even on railroads, but that some things remain too,...a female conductor in the 21st century, in charge of a locomotive made in the 20th century...yet it seems right for her to be there.

Mookie

diningcar

My vote goes to Steve. He has captured the human element of railroading in a very unique setting, and he did it with a plan. Very well done, Steve.

I totally agree!

[gannbb1]

First, all 4 photographers prove their ability to create outstanding images with the keyboard as well as through the lens. Thanks to all for the compelling commentary.

 In the interst of full disclosure: I'm a steam fan so they get first look!

Steve had my vote at first. Interesting story and beautifully produced shot. But as I compared it to Alex's shot and considered this is a forum of RAIL FANS I knew I had to go with the one with the train in sharp focus. Also admire the perfect exposure under unbelievable conditions. Detail on the black boiler jacket yet no blown out highlights on the snow!

Well Done!

 Gary

[LU-Trains]

 Boy!  I don’t know where I was the last installment!  It obviously was so busy at the university that when the “results” came across my email last week, I went:  “Results!?! WHAT RESULTS!?!”  Good grief!  I missed an entire half month!  Well, tomorrow morning I head for Chicago for a music industry convention and I want to get my shot in on these four fine photos tonight, before I miss out again!

Ok, Steve, you can go on and on about the use of the mono pod and your ISO’s and other camera stuff, but let’s remember that "Billboard Shot" several months ago....Pretty girls sell!  Ask any advertising mogul!  Nevertheless, it is a great shot and thank goodness the engine is the blurred one in the picture.  (Like a writer before me, I too, appreciate the juxtaposition of the 20th and 21st centuries)

The other Steam shot was pretty great also.  All that wonderful smoke!  (Sorry Al Gore and all you greenies in Copenhagen right now, but there’s something about those old locos you just have to love, carbon imprint or not.)

However, I’m basically in agreement with several before me that “Short Days” certainly entertains the thought of short fall days when morning light comes late and sunset comes early.  The skies in the background of both the steam shots are just too . . . well, pretty blue to be the end of the day.

So it comes down to Andy and Drew for me this week.  Andy’s picture certainly suggests the cold early sunset time of day . . I feel a chill just looking at it . . . and I love the wavy tracks!  Lots of atmosphere there to love.  And I wish I could vote twice tonight.


However, regardless of the “brightness” of the blurry bridges in the background of Drew’s picture . . . I’m convinced that this the last set of the day passing through and I like the tunnel aspect of the prospective . . . squeezing between the warehouse wall and the line of car carriers whose height seem to suggest a certain “hoggishness” in their demeanor.

So I vote for Drew.

[lhtalbot]

Good shots everybody....thank you'

I voted for Drew's shot....seemed to best fit the theme.

I noticed something in the post replies (mine is #13).......only one poster so far indicated a vote for Alex's shot, yet he leads the voting. Guess that means a lot of voters don't post a comment. Nothing wrong with that, I just thought it was interesting.

Larry in Wauwatosa

[cx500]

Interesting comparing the posts with the vote results.  Many of the comments narrowed it down to a choice between Andy and Drew, as do I, yet the popular vote is going to the steam pictures.  I have noticed this trend in past Tracksides too, that steam will generally win.

The photo by itself should exemplify the theme.  If an explanation of how it is connected to the theme is necessary, the photo has failed to do its job.   Many pictures can be rationalized after the fact into fitting a theme, and may in many ways be better images.  But the challenge should be creating an  image which says it visually.  I'm sure that was the original intention.

To pick out a couple of comments, Steve's shot does show the "human element of railroading", and "how things change", but neither was the theme of this Trackside.  Yes, it is a good picture, well thought out and composed, and might deserve to win if the theme was either of those two.  But the theme is "Short Days".   Alex's steam shot is well lit and a wonderful image, but the sun is just too bright to bring "short days" to my mind.  The west can have fresh white snow on the ground well into the long days of late spring.

John

 

[LVJJJ]

Since I've been thru Ely several times, know the area and the trains and love northern Nevada,  Steve's shot was automatic for me.

[espeefoamer]

I voted for Alex's steam freight .The light was perfect and the weather was cold enough to bring out plenty of steam around the loco.As I foundout when living in Portland, short days can be as sunny and warm as long summer days. I considered drew's photo, but the clutter to the left of the EB was a turn off for me.

[MP173]

Beauty and the Beast gets my vote....great shot Steve.

ed

[Choo Choo Aussie]

All depicted the theme well and was hard to vote for one.  As we have had over 40 degree heat in Aus. today the snow looked very inviting.  Voted for Alex Mayes.  It has been very hard to pick just one lately.  Well done!  Keep them coming. 

[Bob the Train]

For me, it came down to Andys' and Drews'. I ended up voting for andy because I really like the sunset in the background =)

[CNW 6000]

Interesting concept...and nice shots.  My $.02:
-Drew's shot: Dim light (early evening), and the "urban tunnel" effect he describes fits the theme perfectly.
-Andy's shot: Dim light (early evening again) but the loco's headlight isn't in focus.  Also fits the theme well IMO.
-Steve's shot: Sorta dim light...yet a "weak" picture to me in terms of this theme.  This shot said "afternoon" to me...and didn't make me think of "Short Days".  I thought more of "endless afternoons" instead.
-Alex's shot: DQ, not even close to the theme.  Bright light, and another wedge shot of a photo special train.  BORING!

My vote: Drew