Trackside with Erik and Mike Vol. 54

[Willy2]

I thought Erik's photo was stupendous. Great lighting and a super looking train.

I thought Mike's shot looked a little cluttered with the bridge in the background and all.

Erik gets my vote this week (and not because I live in Nebraska).

[Modelcar]

Erik's Photo:

Like: Content...including lighting, railcar consistency....smooth ROW....mountainous terrain....and contrast of sky and light colored ground....

Overall brightness at photo center is dramatic.

Both photos very appealing....but I must vote for this photo...{Erik's}, over Mikes.

 

Mike's Photo:

I like night time shots.  Dramatic result in colored  bridge structure.  Movement of humans in photo is a distraction for me. 

Lighting on engine side reveals details nicely.  Too bad headlight was not lit.  Believe that would have added importance to photo.

Overall I like photo and appreciate the settings and thought to get it.

[Eddie L]

All the pics are great but Eric's is breathtaking.  Steam shots are like blonds - too easy.  It takes more talent to do diesel.  Congrats, Eric. 

[mmartian22]

hi guys;  both you got great pitures  but mike's pictures took my vote . the pictures of the 261 are great looking !!!!!!! . I like any kind of steam pictures and  i'am also a huge fan of  steam power .

[samfp1943]

I had to give Mike the vote on this one- both are cool shots, but the composition on Mikes- WOW.

I thought both photos were really good, and not having a photography hobbiest interest; I am more of a point, shoot, and take the disposable to Wal-Mart to be developed. The results are what I enjoy, and the process is something to be endured. I enjoy trains and train photos, and the memory cues that the pictures provide. This was my first visit to the Erik and Mike site. Nice Job.

[Poppa_Zit]

Tough decision this time.

Both photographs are well-composed and take advantage of "magical lighting."

Bergie's photo is taken in "honey light" -- on a day with zero or no humidity (haze) and looks so perfect with a string of new unit cars and ethereal sky and perfect landscaping (who smoothed the soil along the roadbed?). It looks like a layout shot that belongs on the cover of CTT or MR. He got the same sky-contrasting effect a polarization filter would add.

Mike's photo also takes advantange of available light, is shot from a low angle, and I'll disagree with the previous bridge comment because framing the locomotive utilizing the lighted bridge supports and a time exposure gives the entire photo a dreamlike appearance. Adding to the latter is the star patterns his lens gives some of the lights.

So, on the surface, two great photos end in a dead heat esthetically. But, personally, I always give an extra point or two for including steam.

So my vote goes to Mike, but only because I'm a huge steam fan. Otherwise, it's a tie.

Pop Z     

[blhanel]

I had to give Mike the vote on this one- both are cool shots, but the composition on Mikes- WOW.

[CopCarSS]

Ohhhhhh....easy one! Bergie! The lighting! The dramatic clouds! The background terrain! The Matched Power! The clean matched cars! It's all there. Far and away the best shot you've ever posted here.

Mike, good shot, but I don't like the bridge poking through the smokestack of the loco.

BTW, great to see you guys back here! Can't wait to see what you'll bring next time!

[Bergie]

I just posted the latest installment of Trackside with Erik and Mike in our new section within the Railroad Reference area of TrainsMag.com. That's right, we now have our very own corner of the Trains magazine site.

Read Trackside with Erik and Mike Volume 54

Voting for Trackside with Erik and Mike now occures at the top of the Trackside with Erik and Mike section. Click here to vote.

Please feel free to add your comments regarding this installment's photos here.

Thanks, Erik