I voted for photo 2. The contest is about THE BEST PHOTOGRAPH, not our favorite trains shots. Number 2 is the best photograph, no matter who took it.
If I voted only for my favorite train shots, there would be nothing but Armour Yellow and Grey in the pictures! [:)]
Both are good photos but I picked #1 because it’s a classical image of summertime railroading. I agree, a return to blind voting is a very good idea!
HAS to be #1 for me. As a railfan I expect to see trains you can identify. As others have mentioned, this about trains not about art ! Prefer the blind voting.
Photo 1 is a great train shot – great setting et al. But Photo 2 is art – I showed them around the office and the photography types all said they would hang it on the wall. But again – tough choice.
Hey, in Photo 1, what are those yellow cars just out of the curve?
A really difficult choice --both are good shots (the scenery in 1 and the drama of 2), but I had to with 2… sorry 1!
Noah, I think what you meant was that you’re voting for the locomotive. You can clearly see a train in both photos.
I beleive they are center beam lumber cars.
Number 2, I assume Erik’s, rules. All that action going on at a unique angle and awesome sunset easily beats number one for me.
I like the photos of trains best when you can see the engine! Photo #1 wins for me!
Well, well, well, I voted for #2 cause of the meet and other parts of the images, #1 is just a train going by. Both photos are great and just liked the second one better.
As others have stated phot 2 was more “artsy” but I know what I like, and I like photo 1, more colorful, and more like what I enjoy about looking at trains.
THe photos were pretty good!! [:D] I think Mike and Erik should post two pics from their great collection instead of just one.
Photo 2. Gotta love the intermodal! Keep it up guys.
OK this week is tough. I printed out both shots and spent about 24 hours making up my mind.
#1 has nice color and the haze projects the image of a late spring/ early summer rain shower to fill in the puddles in the ballast. But the ballast is missing something. What happened to the second set of rails? Looks like some double track got downgraded.
#2 is obviously late winter/ early spring with the still bare trees and patches of snow. I’ve done some video near Rochelle during late fall sunset conditions and gotten the same overall color. It remindsme of old time sepia tone photography.
What made my decision was the counterpoint of the bright colors of the signals against the sepia look. #2.
I also like the return to blind voting. It also allows me to try and guess which photo MIke shot and which one Eric shot. This weeks photos made for a tough choice. I really like #2 with the low light and the oncoming train in the distance. It reminds me of the days I spent in the Mojave chasing UP trains. Still, I cast my vote for #1. Something about seeing CSX in the rain that swung it for me. I don’t see alot of CSX out here in Washington State
I like the artsy picture. That CSX picture has nothing special to it. No skill at all in taking that picture.
As for the Artsy picture/glint shot. That was a real piece of work and it either shows how good the camera is or how good the photographer is or a little bit of both. The lighting is incredible. The glint brightens the picture without washing out the headlights of the oncoming trains or the signals. Congratulations on the great shot.
I prefered Photo 1. I love the angle that it shows the train at.
Doh!!! Your right, I meant locomotive. I do that a lot, and most times I catch myself. I used to do it all the time, but I’m getting better(except this time![;)])
Noah
I like being able to see the CTC signal indications in Picture 2.
Photo 2 might win a “photo” contest, but photo 1 would win a “railroad photo” contest.