I recently (tonight around 4:45) registered for RailPictures.net. I submitted two photos, and both were rejected. I wasn’t all that surprised, as RP is known for only accepting perfection (or close to it), but I would like some advice on what I should change (if anything) for this photo. I can see why the other one was rejected, but I had thought this one had a chance of making it.
Based on what I recall from other such discussions, you’re on the wrong side of the tracks. IIRC, they like nicely lit, sun-side 3/4 shots.
I like the shot, but the shadows are probably what did it.
I haven’t gone to the site and currently have no plan to submit pictures to it. However, it does sound like it would be a good idea for anyone who may plan to do so to spend some time there, looking at what the pictures they have accepted have in common.
Yeah, the lighting possibly had something to do with it. But I think it would be more dynamic or dramatic if it were cropped inside the pole on the left and/or moving in for a bit more head on shot.
Honest answer: The lighting might not make those folks happy, but for me, it’s a case of too much green, and not enough train. It looks like a train coming out of a lush, green rainforest. It’s neat, but it takes the main focus off the train for me.
First - it’s a great image that I would love to have taken myself and RP.net does not determine what is good.
That being said, the reason it was rejected from RP.net was that it’s not nose lit. You will not get shots accepted by them unless the nose is well lit. Even if you had been on the sunny side of the tracks for this shot, the fact that it is coming out of the sun doomed it.
I also agree with Murphy that the train didn’t get close enough, causing it to be more a picture of the surrounding flora. This would probably have killed it if not for the sun.
But, these are RP.net standards. They only effect getting included in their database, not whether or not it’s a good image. I like it and I think you should too.
Often I think their reason for rejection is just something pulled out of a hat, but in your case I think they got it right. There is nothing you can do to fix this shot. But next time arrange for the sun to be behind you and to your right, or explain to the railroad they should run the train at a different hour to satisfy RP. [:D]
Seriously, though, keep shooting. Part of the fun of RP is getting past the myopic reviewers. Good luck!
Here is a quick (like 3 min) edit I did to show you what I would have done. I cropped it tighter, lightened the shadows, and saturated the colors more to give it a little more POP. Depending on what photo editor you use, all this should be fairly easy to do.
Original:
My edit:
Good Luck and just keep playing around with it and hope it gets in!
To show how photographers differ, I like the crop but not the brightening. I though the dark hightened the drama or dynamic as I call it. But it is the photograhpers call; what he wants to achieve or show. Bracket shots: different fstop, different shutter speed, different lens length. Then compare and decide. For yourself.
Need to put the sun behind you. Wait until the train gets a little bit closer. And last but not least, do a little bit of weed-control (those few tall ones next to the tracks). I do like that spot… a lot of green to work with. Maybe you can use some branches to make a natural frame for the shot?
I’m not a fan of the over-saturation (IMO) that max did though… trains don’t usually glow.
If you look at my shots on that site, almost all of the recent ones don’t conform to lighting standards. It’s because they have good composition and good editing. (Or, because it’s me, over-editing as well)
For this shot, it’s a wedgie in a forest with harsh side light. There’s just not that much to the picture. One may say they’re too picky, but remember that any railfan with a camera can, and does, take this type of picture. That alone is reason enough to be picky about them.
Now go off and find a good light wedgie or a cool curve [:P]
I like the picture in general but for me its too closed in with poles and foliage and the shadows on the trucks are probably why RP.net rejected it …My suggestion would be get somewhere its not so closed in where you have plenty of light on the subject and no other distractions…Foliage is good but not to the point it takes away the light and subject matter…
If I were you I wouldnt be discouraged just because RP.net rejected my photo…There are a lot of other sites that you can try…Good Hunting…[2c]
Actually I like this shot no matter what…I kinda like the trees and the train coming out of the foliage. I have always heard that Railpictures.net won’t accept anything that doesn’t meet their standards of perfection.
I think this update is interesting, the second shot has what looks to me like an almost 3-D effect, like the train is coming out of the picture. Anyone else notice?
Thanks for the input. I like the shot a lot (one of the favorites I’ve taken) but I didn’t really expect it to make it onto RP. I only attempted to put some photos on just to check out the site. I think I’ll stick to RRPA for now! [;)]
I think I would *snip that 5 foot weed in the center before train arrives. Who would know?
I did really like that shot. Train is going someplace with a load of cars.
Start a photobucket or something and dump images there. That way no one will reject you for trying. I am like the worst picture taker in this forum but once in a while there is a gem.
