Hello,
This week we're launching a new format for Trackside with Trains.com, and I'm excited to see how you guys respond to it.
New premiseIn the past we'd have two photographers go head-to-head using random photos. In the new format we're having our photographers submit photos to a pre-determined theme. For example, this week's theme is Fall Colors.
Another twist: Any of our 10 participating photographers can join the fun in each new installment. For example, we have five photographers participating in this week's Volume 101.
More photos to choose from and a common theme ... this should be a lot of fun!
Click here to read Trackside with Trains.com Volume 101 ...
... then click here to vote.
When finished reading and voting, add your comments about this week's photos below and let us know what you think about the new format.
Thanks again for participating!
Erik Bergstrom
I like the new format. It gives a lot more choices each time.It was not easy,but I voted for Mike's SP shot.The gray and red loco really stands out against the fall foliage.If only the grafitti vandals hadn't spray painted that ugly yellow patch on the engine!
espeefoamerI voted for Mike's SP shot.
Given your username, I'm not surprised which way you voted!
Thanks for the feedback!
Bergie
Thumbs up on the new format . The more photos the better.
nice format . more to choose from .but harder to decide on they were all great looking photos so just pointed the mouseeee with eyes closed and clicked of which i got bergie's photo
mmmmm - more photos good.
I thought your photo was the best, Bergie, so hopefully we'll get to see the other shot you alluded to - Bonus! Not too contrasty, sharp focus throughout (especially considering your f-stop), great colors on the containers if not in the trees.
Love the new format!
I went with Andy's shot. WSOR power throttled up with the heat blooms rippling the colors of the foliage behind the engines. I almost went for the SP shot followed by the CSX shot but the amount of colors in this shot (bright engine w/bright trees) seemed to fit nicely.
Dan
I really like the way the SP is framed by the trees in the foreground and the way it seems to be cominig out of the colored trees in the background. Beautifully composed!
Eric got my vote. While the "fall colors" were perhaps a little better in Andy's submission, Eric's was sharper and crisper. All of the entries were worthy of consideration, but now you know how I arrived at the decisions reflected by my vote.
TJB / Nashville, TN
TOMinTNEric got my vote. While the "fall colors" were perhaps a little better in Andy's submission, Eric's was sharper and crisper. All of the entries were worthy of consideration, but now you know how I arrived at the decisions reflected by my vote. TJB / Nashville, TN
Same here. I really liked everyone's photos. I too started to vote for Andy's, but have to agree with TJB: Erik's photo was sharper and crisper. Nice to have more photes from which to choose..
All of you did a fantastic job!
First off I think that the new format is great. It's going to take an out standing photo to have a run away win, I like that. As always I enjoyed all of the photos, but I had to choose one, and that one was Mike's. The only reason that I can honestly come up with is because it a photo of an engine with the markings of a fallen flag. That's something I don't see often.
Great assortment of shots. Fall colors in abundance, for the most part. Liked Erics best as the colors of the freight really brightens up the shot
The theme was "fall colors." Since this is Trains, I also expected to see a train, or at least a railroad, in the shot--but still it was the fall colors I was looking for. I think Andy's shot is the only one that came close to displaying the brilliance of Autumn (and this past fall was particularly spectacular around here, right up until it was time to rake the spectacle from our lawn). So his shot got my vote.
The line above the voting results says "Enjoy the new format." To which I say, "Yes, sir!" (I think I appreciate it, even without being ordered to!)
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
I like the new format. All of the photos are good Trains shots, but none are Great fall follage photos, need more color. Andy's came the closest so he got my vote.
I voted for Aaron's view of the CN train at Colgate, WI. I liked the low angle combined with the curve and the background trees--those black tank cars really made that bright CN nose "pop" in that early morning sun.
Andy's shot of the WSOR is also very good, but that tree on the left is a bit distracting.
Drew's Amtrak image is nice on the curve but it appears to be a bit 'bright' and the trees are not as nice as Aaron's CN view.
Lance
DakotaKentI had to go with Andrew's image. Nice start with the new toy! Demi, Tallulah, Rumor, and Scout would be proud.
I think Andy is doing a little campaigning behind the scenes.
Here's my evidence:
Very interesting... is it any wonder "Andrew" is currently in the lead? Me thinks not!
Regardless, welcome aboard, Kent. I hope you stick around!
Take care,Bergie
TOMinTN Eric got my vote. While the "fall colors" were perhaps a little better in Andy's submission, Eric's was sharper and crisper. All of the entries were worthy of consideration, but now you know how I arrived at the decisions reflected by my vote.
Erik's shot may have been sharper, but (for me) the debris along the right-of-way diminished a fine photo. I realize all too well that things like rubbish and grafitti are beyond the control of the photographer; however, by taking into consideration such factors, along with the 'normal' things a photographer needs to consider (angle of sun, direction of travel and speed of the train, clouds, etc.), it makes for a more challenging goal and thus better results when done, rewarding the photographer with a superior image.
Drew's and Mike's shots seemed to washed out, Erik's had too many distractions, and Andy's focus was way too soft.
Aaron's shot may not have had the range of foliage color of some of the other submissions, but the sharpness of the image, the composition, and the excellent contrast all made for a superb photo.
BTW, I like the new format.
Good morning. I have mixed feelings about this new format. On the positive side, I like the idea of a theme, although it would be nice to announce at the beginning of the column what that them is. I like the idea of going for the best pictures available to match that particular theme, and I think the synopsis of the photos was first-rate this week. I agree with prior comments that the choices made for tough voting this week.
On the negative side, I think the overall numbers of photos is wayyyy down. In the old format there would often be more than a dozen or more great pix to drool over.
But i think the thing I miss most from the old format was the verbal interplay between the contributors. Especially with Bergie and Mike, and to a lesser extent with the others, it was fun reading their stories.
As in almost all things in life, the old has a lot of good left to offer, and the new is fresh, exciting, and also has good points to offer. Any chance of combining the two? Perhaps have each weekly contributor select a few photos, tell stories about them, and then pick thier favorite for the voting, and tell us why. This would give us all more pictures to admire, and more good train stories to read... both good things.
Bergie's photo has the most vivid colors; unfortunately, it is not in the surrounding foliage, but on the trainload of containers. Mike's SP/UP shot shows the effects of time and weather on a locomotive on a drab Midwestern day... black fading to gray, red fading to pink, and SP fading into UP. The CN and Amtrak photos both have little variation in the color of the fall foliage, although they have the benefit of 'golden hour' lighting. So, almost by default, in accordance with the theme of 'fall colors', and despite the fact that the most colorful foliage has been blurred by exhaust gases, Andy's WSOR photo has garnered my vote.
Uh, hello, Bergie? The family names come from Andy's reference to Ashton Kutcher in his description. Kutcher's wife, Demi Moore, has 3 children from her earlier marriage to Bruce Willis... Rumer, Scout and Tallulah. Still, DakotaKent might be a close personal friend of Andy, recruited to tilt the voting. You just never know - after all, the political motto here in Illinois is "vote early, and vote often!"
loadmaster747Uh, hello, Bergie? The family names come from Andy's reference to Ashton Kutcher in his description. Kutcher's wife, Demi Moore, has 3 children from her earlier marriage to Bruce Willis... Rumer, Scout and Tallulah. Still, DakotaKent might be a close personal friend of Andy, recruited to tilt the voting. You just never know - after all, the political motto here in Illinois is "vote early, and vote often!"
I think that this new format is going to be a giant leap forward for both photographers and photo “appreciators” . . I would imagine that we’ll all benefit from this variety of artistic thought. In music, composers from Vivaldi to Whitacre have written music about “fall” and every composer has a different bent on what fall “sounds” like. It is the same with writers and poets . . one subject - diverse thoughts - that individuality is what makes our artistic senses as listeners and readers palpitate.This will be a wonderful excursion in seeing each of our photographers inclination to the artistic while at the same time featuring those great metal monsters we all love.Some, like Kathi, have already established their artistic credentials in their photos. It will be fun watching all our guys (and gal) bring their own predilection to the “theme” of the week.I must admit in this weeks fare that I wish all of you were in southern Tennessee with me right now. The yellows are so bright they are blinding, the reds are like flames on the hills, and the browns and golds are unbelievably vivid - and we’re not even in the prime time of fall yet!Admittedly, I did like Mike Yuhas’ “windswept” look, but the fall colors weren’t very prominent. So even with the exhaust heat glaze, I voted for Andy Cummings’ photo - I liked the idea that his loco is literally surrounded by “fall colors” - very nice framing.Looking forward to the new photo journal. This is going to be great. Congratulations to all.
A mile from the tracks, but I still hear the whistle! Cleveland, Tennessee
Love the new format. This is going to be a lot of fun.
All photos looked pretty good, some good points in each one. I voted for Andy's shot as it seemed to best capture the Fall Color theme.
Look forward to next vol....
Larry in Wauwatosa
loadmaster747Uh, hello, Bergie? The family names come from Andy's reference to Ashton Kutcher in his description. Kutcher's wife, Demi Moore, has 3 children from her earlier marriage to Bruce Willis... Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.
Oh yeah, I think you're on to something. I just saw the name Scout and knew it was one of Andy's posse.
Looks like "Andrew" is running away with this week's competition.
Erik
Sorry Bergie, but I too had to go with the WSOR. But I'm also sick. It fgits fall. Now, trhat said, I really wish I could support the Amtrak and the SP unit as well because of what they are.
I'm not sure I like this format so much, the candiadates are less formal there's no real build up, the intros sound (no offense meant) more scripted like a High School speech (this is my... I liked it because... It matches this theme because...) and the choices are harder (Is this a bad thing?). Neat pictures though.
-Morgan
Andy's shot had it on the colors, but the enlarged image took on the look of a watercolor. Nice feature if you're looking for it, but in this case, sharpness was more desirable.
I went with Erik's shot, although I have to admit that Aaron's CN got my attention.
I like the concept as well. Perhaps as a variation you can include the occasional "guest," too.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
I like the new format. The theme idea is a good way to challenge those photographers. The Andy(Andrew) Cummings ordeal seems to have some of the overtones of another ordeal involving a night steam photo and a WSOR photo, Oh well back to other things.
Eric, missed you at Trainfest on Saturday. Did get a shot with your first partner in "Trackside" and several of the TRAINS.com Forum Members. Pretty good turnout for the photo.
Looking forward to some great photos,
Keith
Keith Schmidt KC9LHK You don’t bring nothin with you here and you can’t nothin back, I ain’t never seen a hearse with a luggage rack. George Strait Check out Flickr Train Photo Page
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