Something tells me that it was easier to use a ladder for railfanning back in '66 than it is in '06. I’m not sure I’d pull it out in a well-traveled area for fear that someone would freak out and call the police for suspicious behavior. As it was, I was in an out of the way parking lot so I felt comfortable doing it. Not sure I’ll ever pull it out near a grade crossing.
Thanks again for sharing… although my camera bag already weighs around 30 pounds (or so it seems) so I’m not sure my back can take many more accessories.
You kind of summed things up for me too Jim. I couldn’t figure out why I had such a hard time picking a photo I liked, and then it hit me, it’s because neither really made me think “wow!” when I first saw it, which is a feeling that I normally get when looking at the photos in this collumn. Mike’s shot was still nice, but I never cared for photos where the rear of a locomotive is cut off. I too would have probably have voted for the ISO 1600 shot, as you still had to look to find much grain, and I think it was better composed as well.
Erik’s shot is neat too, but it’s a standard shot of a steam locomotive, and something you see quite often when you see photos of steamers. Now the vertical shot, that was pretty cool, as you don’t see that angle nearly as much. I did like though Erik how you timed it so the 261 was in a spot where there were no flowers sticking up above the ballast, but yet they kind of “surround” the locomotive. Pretty neat in that aspect.
Both photos are still good photos guys, but I just don’t think these are up to your usual level as some weeks. Keep up the good work tho
Frankly,neither shot excited me this week.They were both good shots but nothing special.When in doubt I always vote for steam.Therefore Erik wins my vote this week.Mike, your other U Boat photo was much better,and would have easily won my vote.
I voted for Mike’s picture. Much as I like the 261, I live in St. Paul, and go out of my way to see the Commercial or the Empire Builder. Couldn’t vote any other way. Sorry, Bergie!
MIKE;I still don`t like the smelly boxes on wheels. The boiler at full tilt gets it this time! I have a Rebel 6.0 with a 55mm-300mm lens. For close in what would be a recomended mm range or brand and features. Most of what I do has been satisfied by this lens but what could be better for close work? aagjr49@hotmail.com LATER!
Good steam shots will always win my vote. Even though I like seeing AC4400, SD90MACS, and SD70MACS, there’s nothing like seeing a steam loco huffing and billowing smoke.
Re: Trackside with Erik & Mike, Vol. 56. Maybe it is just me but viewing. voting and posting a reply in the Forum was much easier under the old format. I hope this is the place to state your comments on this weeks photos. That said, I vote for Erik’s photo. If this is not the place for comments on the photos, please let me know. wstolper@yahoo.com.
As I was unable to decide clearly which of the two photos was the better (both having good points, but neither one decidedly better than the other), I opted to select Mike’s photo for nothing other than the frivolous reason of Erik’s incorrect word choice. I then added a smiley to make it obvious that I was not being serious.
I sincerely hope that not all railfans that post here are as unfriendly as your post appears to be.
Thank you for your warm welcome, zardoz. I accept your apology and look forward to spending an enjoyable time here. While I am new to the forums, I am not new to the site. But I just recently stumbled across “Trackside with Erik and Mike” and devoured all of the archived volumes. (Where are the missing volumes?) I have enjoyed them greatly and plan to purchase a digital camera soon.