Trackside with Erik and Mike Vol. 54

[kschmidt]

    Mike,

    I believe I was the last one up on the bridge.  I got there just before to the train arrived.  I kind of stood off to north more than the rest of the group.  Actually I do remember as I was walking back to my truck I remember two guys also walking and one of them asking the other if that would be his shot to beat Erik.  I believe the response was "No, probably the night shot at the depot with the fireworks."  I almost said something at that point, but #261 was still headed west and showed no signs of slowing.  In fact if I remember right, after that question there was talk of breakfast.   I guess that was you and Stefan.  I wish I would have had more time. 

Keith

[PBenham]

This was a no brainer! Mike's night shot of 261 carried the day with me!

[CNW 6000]

+1 for Mike!

[lhtalbot]

Welcome back, guys. Very nice photos. I have to go with Mike's nite shot.

Very well done & the background adds some fun.

Larry in Wauwatosa

[Anonymous]

These are arguably, the best photos that you gentlemen have ever posted! I'm very much impressed with the quality, composition, and execution of these pictures. NICE WORK!

Now, let's get to the voting. Decisions, decisions... You know, it's getting harder and harder to pick a winner.

I really enjoyed Mike's night shot. Sadly, the composition is slightly off due to the "ghost images" of the people. I find this distracting and it takes away from the subject (locomotive). I also felt that there were many more angles (perspectives to be explored) that would have better framed the subject and eliminated some of the issues of balance in the photo between the subject and the backdrop. Still, it is a worthy contender and deserves much praise.

Erik's submission is truly surrealistic in it's composition. Everything is so neat and orderly... The motive power, the unit cars, the sky,and the pristine surroundings (white cliffs and even the grading is smoothed out perfectly). Very intriguing. 

To my eye it looks like a pic of someone's model railroad layout. It's funny how things go, most modelers try to get a "real" look when taking pics of their layout and here life is imitating how a model railroad would appear to the eye of the observer! Very surrealistic! I like it!

Therefore, I cast my vote for Erik's photo.

Thanks guys for this installment. Keep up the good work!

[Anonymous]

Both Erik's and Mike's shots are appealing. I am a Nebraskan as well as a fan of the western railroads and landscapes, but I could not ignore the beauty of a Mike's shot. The blue lights on the bridge was and eye grabber! I just wish it could have been taken without the people. I really liked Erik's picture as well, but with the distance the shot was taken at it didn't grab me like Mike's did...... So this week I gotta go with Mike. Sure is good to have you guys back again, you probably won't believe it but I actually look forward to this, and have also learned something from reading all of the feedback that get's posted.

 

Greg

[Anonymous]

The two photos made for a very tough choice, but I had to go with Erik's. The bridge in the background of the 261 night shot took a little too much away from the regally posed Northern. My only nitpick with Erik's sweeping shot was the distracting orange of the third unit back. Otherwise, a graceful pose that suggested power as well.

[zardoz]

I am always trying to get shots like Erik's, with the dramatic low sun, dark sky, nice scenery, nice looking train; however, I would like to have seen a bit more of the locomotives.

In contrast, I can fully appreciate the difficulty of creating an image like Mike's.  The lighting, the background, the people, and the position of the locomotive are all beyond the control of the photographer.  In a situation such as this, I think Mike did a wonderful job getting the image he did.

9.5 for Erik's dramatic image, with a .5 deduction for not enough locomotive.

5.0 for Mike's wedgie with a lot of distractions, with 4.0 added for overcoming numerous dificulties, and .1 added because it's steam.

[Anonymous]

Two Great Shots, but the   ethereal quality of Mike's combined with the powerful image of a steamengine - wins my vote. I look forward to Erik's shots!

 

Great to have this feature back up and running - and kudos on the transition.

 

paw

[jjlamkin]

Sorry Erik, WOW Mike's photo really gets your attention! I had to vote for Mike's this time.

Still looking for that long awaited railroad job. Have attended several hiring sessions, but I just can't find a good fit.

Everyone stay safe!

Jim

(Erik, the Chillicothe Corn Fest was a bust this year for our motorcars, we found out the "Chamber" was not carrying insurance for the motorcar event the last 2 years, yikes!! so we will not run until next year)

[Mookie]

Doesn't really matter which one I voted for since both were spectacular. 

Eric - makes me want to run out to the western part of my state, after they get done burning off part of it. 

Mike - a most unusual photo.  I like the presentation and the subject matter very much. 

I think you both outdid yourselves this time!  Well worth the wait for you to come back.

Mookie

[Anonymous]

Big BNSF fan, but had to go with the old time steam.  As always awesome shots, hard choice.

[wcnut]

WOW!  After such a long hiatus you present these?  I would have thought you guys would have eased us into voting again.  Tough decision, both photos were spectacular, but in the end I was more amazed with the landscape in Erik's shot rather than the train.  I also really liked all the quiet, night time city elements Mike included in his shot.  The ghostly ghools are an added bonus, to bad this wasn't an October vote!  Great job to both!

Greg
"wcnut"

[shawnbecher]

I gotta go with Mike's photo as well.  I was out there catching 261 that weekend and had an absolute blast.

Mike, did you happen to get the other photographer's name?  My friend Gary has some shots that were taken in the same location at the depot (some of them even look very similar).

Here's my favorite shot of 261 I got that weekend: http://shawnbecher.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=412339

Shawn

[Rocket Man]

My vote goes to Mike this time. My eyes were immediately drawn to it.

[Anonymous]

Erics photo in Vol 54

Awesome!  perfect exposure. great composition and a perfect train.

Great work!

 

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, Bergie, but there is just something about steam and the etherealism of a nighttime time exposure to make it work for me.  I do like the way your consist seems to be coming out of the "White Cliffs of Dover", though.

Thanks a lot,

David

[Anonymous]

Normally I would have agreed with the low angle shot of that BNSF train coming down the grade, as it is a perfect combination of elements combining towards a poster perfect shot.  Having said that, I have to say the time lapsed shot of the steam engine was incredible!!!I wish you guys would offer for purchase, the full resolution shots you've taken over the months.. Some truly incredible work for two ppl claiming "amature" status.  Your work belies that.  Also, I like the new format of the site.. and the larger photos.  Keep up the good work!!! and welcome back! 

                                                                                            Rich

[Noah Hofrichter]

Boy, talk about a toughie!!! I really think both of these photos are certainly the most dramatic photos that you guys have ever taken. It is a really, really tough decision this time, but after a little time, I eventually went with Mike's. It just hits one as being a little more dramatic, and besides, it takes a lot of know-how to get a really good night shot like that one. Besides, I am slightly partial, I chased the 261 on Saturday and rode on the train from the Dells-New Lisbon and return on Sunday. The 261 is one awesome steam locomotive, and how often do you see a mainline steam loco in this day and age anymore?

Erik, yours was an awesome shot and certainly worthy of being on a calendar and in TRAINS, but had we not already seen about 2 dozen shots of BNSF coal trains in Nebraska in the last two months I might have been swung your way even more. This time though, Mike wins.

Noah

[Modelcar]

Keith....That is one beautiful shot in your post....!

[gemotor]

For photographic skill and some artistry, I voted for Mike's shot of MILW 261.  I agree with the comment that the camera position should have been to the left or the right to get the bridge pylons out of the smokestack and, yes, it's a wedgie.  Should have worked with it a bit, Mike, there are some really superb angles in there.  But the night exposure is simply great!  That said, Erik's shot is dazzling for the great lighting and the location, but that was more a matter of  "being there" than it was "art". 

[edblysard]

Hummm,

Though about it from a technical point of view...Bergie wins...

Thought about it from a fans point of view, Mike gets the vote.

Sat back, and didnt think...

Mike's photo "lit my fire" more than Bergies.

 

Wish the locomotive would have been back a little more, so the bridge piers would have seemed like they were pointed forward more....kinda pointing the way.

Ed

[da Milwaukee beerNut]

32.5 coal gons - a right purdy shot there, pardner. But I ain't 'fraid a no ghosts! The long-exposed crew add mystery to the valley, and turning the vapor lighting white with the custom WB shifted the bridge accent lights to light-sabre blue.
Lighting on the moving coal was inspirational - lighting on the resting coal inspired. One for Mike - steam trails remind me of airline vapor traces - except those don't show up against a black background!

[acelachaser]

Went with Mike on this one.

O Winston Link must be proud!

keep up the good work! I like the changes.

[trainboyH16-44]

That has to have been the hatdest decision yet....I eventually voted for Erik's because of colour; even though I'm more of a fan of night shots, Mike's was just lacking some unknown something, IMHO.

[Richard A]

Ouch!  Not easy at all for me to decide.  By a whisker, Erik's photo with the just about perfect lighting conditions and composition win out over Mike's classic night photo of the classic 261.  These are both photos I would pay to get and have framed for my train room.  Great photos, guys!

[kschmidt]

    Great Photo both Erik and Mike.   I am quite a fan of steam, but the shot with the dark skies and the sunlight is very good.  

    Mike,

    I guess great minds think alike, below is my shot from Hwy 146 overpass on Sunday June 25th.  I guess we were on the bridge together.  I was there on Saturday also, sometimes a shot is worth two visits. 

Keith Schmidt 

[acelachaser]

Mike,

O.Winston Link must be proud!

 

keep up the good work and great job on the site upgrades

[UnionPacificVic]

Great shot Eric.  I enjoyed everything about yours.  But this time I thought Mike's was just better. Shot at night with a long exposure turns the steam coming off the 261 into a winsome wisp!  There's nothing like a living, breathing steel behemoth simmering under the stars.  I almost looked around to see if O Winston Link was in the picture somewhere . . . . .

[cumminspwr]

Boy, I know I was throwing fits over both pics. They were both awsome but had to go with Eric's over Mik'e this time. I really liked the background with (I'm guessing) a T-storm coming. Mike's, I love the night shot with the bridge all lit up.....nicely done guys.