Trackside with Erik and Mike, Vol. 72

[Bergie]

Mike's night shot is a truly impressive display of digital photography's low light taking abilities.  However, I felt the lights from the automobiles in the background detracted significantly from the value of the photo.  So I voted for Erik's nifty photo of the UP business train headed by the 844.  One question for Erik:  There are some white dots on the bluffs in the upper left background.  Are they actually part of the bluffs or are they something that the digital camera introduced?

First, thanks for the vote!

Those white area are left-over clusters of snow. We were high enough (Sherman Hill was over my right should a few miles), and the weather wasn't warm enough, to melt all the snow in the shadows.

Thanks for reading, voting, and commenting!

Erik

[CShaveRR]

Erik, back in the days of American Motors, we used to have a train on the main that was plainly going to Bain!

[Indiana Short-line Fan]

I really enjoyed both Eric and Mike's photo this week; however, I must give Mike the nod this time on capturing my full attention.  The mood that was set by the rain, the UP engine's headlights and the train appearing to fade back into the horizon - - it just blew me away.  I love photographing trains in all kinds of weather; and no offence Eric, but anyone can take a decent photo under a bright sun and a cloudless blue sky - even if the subject is very special!  It takes a good bit of luck, and some extra effort on the part of the photographer, to make a powerful photo in difficult weather. GREAT JOB MIKE!!

[yougottawanta]

I voted for mike not only because of the difference in light,shadows etc... But also because he kept his lense dry and clear. Have you ever tried taking a picture in the rain much less keeping your spectacles dry ?

[Army_Sailor]

Personally, I cannot understand the current fascination with current railfans for diesels, dieselization and diesels in general, they are a soulless, financial means to an end, among the Class 1 carriers only one maintains a real 'nostalgia program' and all should consider it. The shots of the Zepher parked at the Cheyenne shopt show that UP, at least is interested in where they came from.

NS's attempt at nostalgia is a half start, repainting their business train, but they've yet to repaint their 'Black Holes' into SOU/NW colors and they need to get their steam engines back from Virginia, I've seen them! they are just sitting there rotting!

I really like KCS's attempt, now they have to get some steam and varnish repainted.

[warriorpilot]

Both great photos guys.  Unfortunately, the digital noise is just too distracting from an otherwise great photo.  Sorry Mike, I had to with Erik.

[G Mack]

Hello everyone,

I like the shot by Mike. The photo has a lot of mood to it. You see a lot of photos of trains in fair to good weather and that makes the ones taken in inclement weather (the ones that come out good anyway) all the more interesting. I even find the "grain" in the picture to be to its credit.

Gregory 

 

 

[espeefoamer]

For me,this was a no-brainer.Steam!  Eric wins this week.I love that shot showing the entire business train behind the 844.I grew up within sight of the L.A.& S.L. main line and with long yellow domeliners.Mike,save your photo! It could easily win my vote,just so long as it is not running against a steam shot.

 

[pawbase]

Two excellent shots, but the night shot gets my vote by a nose.

[Noah Hofrichter]

You guys sure do know how to make it hard to decide don't you! Two great photos this week guys. I had to leave and come back a few days later before finally deciding. In the end I went with Erik's. Mike's is truly an amazing work of photography, being able to capture a train after sundown in the rain without any noticeable motion blur. But in the end Erik's shot just kind of Grabbed me more. Though it would have been even better had the train been going in the other direction, toward the camera. I know you don't have control over those sorts of things though Erik.

Again, nice job gentlemen!

Noah

[CNW 6000]

In looking at the pics over and over I keep thinking about the 'noise' in the night shot.  To me it only seems to make the picture seem more real.  Trying to watch anything at night and in the rain is tough and you'll likely not have a perfectly clear shot or view if you're there anyway.  Just my

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Just wondering if mike and erik could post some more of their vids on youtube, i've only been able to find one - does anyone know of any other sources besides youtube? Hope erik and mike have got a whole bunch i can see, maybe they should put a video section on their website.....just a thought......anyways better go, thanks.

[wcnut]

I'm surprised how many people are able to dismiss the noise in Mike's shot. Maybe a sign of the times in this new fangled digi era? I really enjoyed Mike's composition and effort to capture this train, and I think given the circumstances, he did a great job!

BUT...

for a competition, friendly as this one is, it just doesn't hold up to Erik's shot that scored all around in my categories of criticism. As a professor of art (ceramics), I cannot simply slap a grade on a student piece whether I like it or not, I break it down into several categories. In the end, the overall grade doesn't reflect my liking the piece, but their achievements in concept, technique, craftsmanship, and overall aesthetics. That being said, this is all my opinion which is entirely subjective as all art is.

Greg
"wcnut"

[Rocket Man]

"What's all the noise about!?"

All the pros Mike mentioned about digital photography, not to mention Mike's efforts in pulling off a very good shot, were outweighed by one big con... noise.

Erik, that was a beautiful shot. I like the fact the train is pointed away. I also like the wide openness of the shot and how even a huge locomotive and train seem so relatively small in the expanse of the west.

Hmmm... small... what a neat idea for a photography contest!

[AmtrakRider]

I'm not saying which one I like better, but I have to admit Erik's shot makes me wish there was still passenger railroading in Wyoming . . .

 

[Bergie]

Hi all,

Just wondering if mike and erik could post some more of their vids on youtube, i've only been able to find one - does anyone know of any other sources besides youtube? Hope erik and mike have got a whole bunch i can see, maybe they should put a video section on their website.....just a thought......anyways better go, thanks.

Mike and I have only done that one video. Maybe someday soon we'll do another, but for now that's all there is.

Thanks for reading!

Erik

[LVJJJ]

Got no main in Blaine, rain stays mainly on the train.   (the BNSF line here seems to be a secondary with only 3 or 4 trains a day and an Amtrak or 2)

[crewshuttle]

The night shot reminds me of my old days as a BN/BNSF crewshuttle driver out of Balmer yard in Seattle. I was on call 24/7 for deadhead, dogcatch type runs for all the crews out of Seattle heading East or South or North. I've seen nights that were exactly like the night shot.  Even when I was growing up in SE Washington state my old UP local (now a WATCO line I think with its own name) would throw out beams of light like that on its way out of town through the wheat dust of the day. Thats how I got hooked on trains and the old hogger and his horn style and throttle style back then.

 Looking forward to the next shots

Greg - Belgium now 

[K5GBW]

Erik, To get a shot of the whole train is excellant. Between the train and scenery I feel like I've travel back in time 60 years.

Mike, you just proved why I decided to go digital with photography. Although grainy, the difficuly of the shot gives you my vote.