Photo # 2 was great! a very good shot! but kind of straight on, not a hard shot…But I really like and voted for photo # 1, Because it was a heck of a shot I think it was a difficult shot and it worked out great, with the light and darkness, Such detail! Way to Go! two thumbs up!!!
Chris Owens
Columbus, NC
Long train, more than a handful engines, great weather, blue sky. What do you want more? Photo #2
Voted for photo #1. Although #2 is picture perfect, I am tired of seeing snow.
Voted for #2, even though it is a fairly standard shot. But, it is technically excellent, which #1 is not (a little Photoshop touch -up would help greatly). In addition, I have never been a big fan of telephoto compression (too much of a realist). I would rather move in closer and shoot with a standard focal length lens.
I’ll just let ‘nscnotp’ say it for me:
Dead on. #1 has some real potential with the shadows along the side of the train but the too dark nose just kills it. #2 is very nice if a little ‘ordinary’ . I really wanted to grab #1 and do a little gamma filtering on it to lift the engine out of the gloom. In fact, I think I’ll try it! I realize you like making it tough with the ‘no post editing’ but the temptation is there! Then again I’m not that good a photographer.
Photo #1 was artistically better, no question about it: the lighting conveys a strong mood and it has the drama of a head-on shot. However I found it too dark for my liking compared to the other entry. In the abscence of any other criteria, I vote on the basis of “which one would I hang on my wall?” so photo #2 gets my vote. The brighter colours appeal to me despite the blandness of a standard 3/4 shot on straight track.
This is a perfect example of why I think that there should be a theme to either the voting or the selection of pictures. In different circumstances, I would likely have voted for photo 1.
Where can I send My pictures to? I am a railroader and taken many pictures of both the railroad and scenery.
I voted for #2 as I like showing power units, especially when they are clean lookiing, it was a very nice shot.
Hello All: Gotta go with #1 it has mystic Steve
Hello to everyone
Both pictures are great, I love snow, I love snow and sun. But I have to admit that No2 is a bit too much wide angle for me. On the other hand, No1 one has this great aspect of shadow and back light sun. I love such a situation where the sun although against you, is good for such a shot. So this time is No1 for me.
Take care everyone and please be careful
Nikos Papaletsos
Thessaloniki Northern Greece
I Really liked the UP shot, that being the predominant railroad in this area, howver having said that, I had to go with shot #1 even taking into account the excess shading of the nose of the Soo. I also would like to know if there is a possibility of getting copies of the full sized shots you’ve both posted over the year?
Rich Martin
Martinez, Ca.[/
Great to see 2 different trains again and so 2 different picture types to choose from.
It was hard choice though as I like the first one for the light quality and atmosphere etc but I had to go with the second overall simply because the colours were so brilliant, which in the end gave it such impact it just grabs ya.
Did the taker use a polarising filter ?
Exposure was simply brilliant, crisp and, and…wow !!
[8D]
Hi Everyone,
Shot #2 took it, without much hesitation. Not a UP fan at all, but snow, big blue sky and nicely lit locomotive sides with the flags were nice symbols to me. [C):-)]
Both are real good shots, but that milepost hanging from you don’t really know where in the first picture kinda bothered me, I couldn’t say why for sure.
Get better with your fingers Erik! [#oops]
Take care,
Vianney Roge
France
Even though #1 is a good looking shot, I feel that #2 is the best due to its simple, yet strong lighting and overcasted background. The composition is very simple, a 3/4 wedge (considered by many a no-no for “professional” railfans) does the right thing to show the contrast between the UP yellow and dark sky.
Photo 1 took a lot more talent to pull off!
A speedy and safe recovery wish for Erik!
#2 got it for me this week. Very strong diagonal composition, I like it. Beautiful snow cover with pillowy clouds in the sky… and not that you can control this, but clean or fairly clean UP’s up front!
#1 was only okay for me, it didn’t grab me as much as it did for some readers. I think I would like it better if the locomotives light were actually off. They are too distracting for me.
Greg “wcnut”
Really tough choice! Number 1 is moody and has an element of hustle to it - really caught my eye.
Number 2 is a classic-style shot (as has been mentioned), and I liked the depiction of a lot of power (more or less matched, no less) doing what railroads do. Certainly qualifies for wallpaper on the ol’ computer.
My vote went to #1.
Had to vote for #2, it may have looked ordinary, but it got my attention right away. The color contrast is GREAT! It gives you that “cold outside” feeling. Keep up the GREAT work. Stay safe, LOOK - LISTEN and LIVE.
Jim
What happened to Erik? I have not been in the forums much, pretty busy!
Any info appreciated.
Jim
DEFINATELY THE U.P. crisp cold day with snow on the ground with a whole lotta power on the move. Seen this a lot where I used to live. #2 got the vote. Keep it up