Maybe a stupid question. But does anyone think this would be accepted in Train mag? I need opinions.
THis photo was taken at Kentucky Railway Museum.
The folks who submit photos may have more specific info, but I would guess it would depend on what they were trying to illustrate with the photo…except for the glare from the numberboard, it’s a nice crisp photo…but it is too close to the subject to place it in any other context. The gallery photos I recall are usually more “Expansive” than “Close Up”, but you might inspire them to begin featuring close up shots…
If you do submit it, I would hope that even if it is not accepted for publication, they would critique it for you, and tell you why…but I suspect the volume of shots they get would be more likely to net a “Thanks for the submission, but it doesn’t meet our needs at this time” type of response.
I look forward to hearing responses from folks who have submitted photos…and good luck to you !
and, oh, yeah…just noticed…Welcome to the forums![#welcome]
I don’t know if it would be accepted or not, it would all depend on what they were looking for. So, I can’t speak for them.
From a technical standpoint, it’s well done. Color balance is good, with the nice bright yellow, and the blue sky background. There is a bit of a “hot-spot” on the number board, but it’s not distracting. Focus, and detail are all there. Technically it’s a strong image.
From a compositional standpoint, a few questions: Were you going for a “detail” shot, to show some of the features of the locomotive? If so, it’s not bad, but it’s too crowded. Lowering the angle, and backing off a bit would help. Were you trying to represent the type of locomotive? If so, definitely backing off and including at least the cab portion, and trucks in the photo would have helped. It would have helped if you indicated what you were trying to express with your photo.
It’s not a bad photo, technically it’s well done. I am just a tad confused on what you are trying to express with it. I love the detail capture, and the blue of the sky, it really sets off the photo, and makes it appealing to the eye. But, after a few moments of looking, I began to wonder what it was trying to “say”… a caption regarding your intentions would help alot.
Keep trying though, you are definitely on the right track technically. A few of us here are photographers. CopCarSS is a very good photographer, perhaps he can chime in as well, (There are some others, but I can’t remember who they are…forgive me) If you would like anymore advice, don’t hesitate to ask, and don’t hesitate to look at other’s photos to get some ideas. A photo should do more than “show us a picture” it should say something about the subject, now, I am not saying it should be some deep philosophical "meaning of life&quo
Too bad it isn’t oriented vertically–it would make a nice cover shot for a brochure, report, or something similar. I like the colors of the locomotive and (most of) the sky.
And I learned something–I hadn’t realized that the Santa Fe had replaced the original windows on these Geeps with much taller ones for better visibility.
It’s a pretty shot. You could probably get it accepted at railpictures.net - they want “pretty”. But, Trains is a magazine. The pictures need to tell a story or convey information. Think about what the caption might say and whether it tells a story and whether readers might find that interesting.
If it’s news that a CF7 in fresh ATSF paint is in KY, then a photo that includes some KY landmark or sign might be more appropriate, for example. If it’s the new excursion power at the museum, then a shot with the train might be more informative. Were you looking for it to make “Preservation News”? If so, then a photo with the setting might be more likely to get published.
Trains does publish some staight-up art shots from time to time, but they usually have to be flat-out stunning.
What is news about the former Santa Fe 2546 is that it is the very last CF7 in that paint scheme.
[#welcome]
I would try to submit it; maybe we’ll see it in the mag in a few months! Good Luck![tup]
Alex: The AT&SF 2546 was originally F7A #229L. It was rebuilt to a CF7 in November 1973 at the Cleburne Shops with a round cab. Later it got the so called Topeka Cab in a later upgrade. It was sold to the Indiana Railroad and then from there to the Kentucky Railroad Museum. See Gene Crossett’s Santa Fe rosters at http://rosters.gcrossett.com/atsf/ for details.
Ed
I tryed RP.Net. THey rejected it cause they said"Not the type of material they are lookin for" But hey I aint complaining cause I got my first shot on there sunday night!