Trackside is back with our second installment featuring multiple photographers. Eight of our 10 photographers are participating in this week’s theme: Low Light.
I know I’m completely biased, but this edition of Trackside with Trains.com features some of the best photos we’ve ever shared. And because any of our ten photographers can participate in the new themed format, you have more photos to enjoy (although choosing just one this week might be a challenge!).
A difficult decision for me between Kent’s coal train silhouette and Andy’s C&NW train.
I liked Andy’s location, with the train emerging from the darkness in all their Yellow and Green glory. Even the “Look for Trains” sign gave the image a slightly whimsical touch.
Unfortunately for Andy, the use of available light in getting the coal train situated perfecly below the virga and backlighting makes for a very dramatic image. Additionally, the windmill really added something to the image (similar to the above-mentioned sign).
The other images were all well done, but these two are the ones that evoked the most emotional response from me.
I liked Andy and Kathi’s photos. When choosing, I look at all pictures as something I would hang on a wall and enjoy. But it needs depth and a feeling for me to like it. Andy’s was a good static photo. It was a pleasant picture to look at - and after a minute, you could shiver because of the snow and “feel” of cold.
Kathi’s was the one I chose, however. But not because of the engine - which was a nice shot - but because of the sun on the old buildings. I was immediately drawn from the engine to the sunset and could feel the “warmth”. It triggered something nostalgic - a cold afternoon with a warm sunset. The engine was just an added benefit
I let Pat put the vote in this time, and she voted for Kent’s silhouette shot. I had a little difficulty narrowing my choices–I was wavering between Kat’s Deval shot, the shot of the Three Amigos, Kent’s shot, and Mr. Danneman’s, which had the most awesome colors, in my opinion. I finally had to admit to a little prejudice in both Kat’s shot (familiar equipment and location) and the Amigos shot (definitely familiar equipment!), so I let her Kent vote stand (she did say that “Kat’s is nice, too.”).
Erik, your shot made us both shiver! And I think Kat’s was the best capture of “sweet light.”
Matt, Tom, and Kent presented similar pictures (in the good sense) and selecting between them took most of my time. Bergie’s shot didn’t present well in thumbnail, but certainly acquitted itself full-sized.
In the end, though, that bit of sun peaking out from under the train in Matt’s shot won me over. The other three I’m not going to rank - but they were certainly worthy.
Tough choice…having to pick betwen Tom and Kathi’s shots…Like Mookie, the buildings in Kathi’s photo look “warm”…someplace a cat would like to curl up on the window sill…but the sky in Tom’s photo…wow…and he has all the right elements, trains, signals, great skyline…hummm
I voted for Tom’s shot. The sky is awesome in that photo.I also liked the low light on the oncoming train,and the way you could see the handrails on the loco in the foreground.If future contests are this good,I will have to clone myself several times,so I can vote more than once!
I must say that I really love the colors and the halo effect in Matt Van Hattem’s picture. I just wish it was a little higher resolution so i could use it as the background on my desktop w/o it looking blocky & pixelated.
That’s why I voted for Kathi’s shot. The building flaming with the late sun,which you can’t get at midday, caught my eye. I was blown away by all the backlit evening shots, too, but that brick on fire was too much to ignore. Congratulations to all the photographers for dramatic images.
I am tied to some states before others as well as signals bracketing/instilling a picture; so therefore I had to go with Tom for his Montana sunset. I must say it was very close timing before they turned out the light. Your group is making it tough to choose, but we do like the talent behind it all.
Whoa…I know someone’s going to grouse that we can’t see all the rivets, but I’m THRILLED! It’s great to have it all about the photography–we ALL win! Thanks for a great theme and a terrific bunch of photos. I was captivated (again) by the elegance of Kent’s shot and the haunting shades of sky. I loved how Matt gave the sky so much play while still keeping the train the main subject (although my eyes keep tracking back to the actual sun beneath the train–for me, something of a distraction, perhaps). I think Kathi definitely caught the warmth of the scene (and has a pretty steady hand for 1/40th of a second!). A very difficult choice, but I finally voted for Tom’s photo which, while incorporating similar elements to Kent, Matt, and Drew, added a nicely unbalanced composition and the dynamics of the meet. Heck, though, I’d be happy to have taken any of them.
First, I meant to comment last time that I like the new format, but submitted my remarks before doing so. The multiple choices really make me THINK before deciding.
Next, I should note some prejudices. I don’t care much for low light shots in the first place, and those that are so dark (to the point where it’s almost impossible to discern what I’m seeing) are definitely out. I’m not into shadows and silhouettes, so the artsy-fartsy stuff doesn’t get much consideration, either. That said, I need to state that I enjoyed Kent’s video…just because it was so different.
But, back to the voting. My personal quirks eliminated all but three shots. Should I vote for Andy because he had a nice shot…once lived in Moorhead…and was shooting near my sister’s place in Mankato (I was born in Fargo)? How about Aaron’s WSOR…mainly because I could tell what it was?
Both were tempting, but in the end, Kathi got my vote simply because the late afternoon colors were so striking, and the rail action was superb.
Thanks to all who contributed. I’m anxious to see what the next theme will be.
I loved Kathi’s photo. While not truely “low light” it offered the most detail of all the photos and like the others said the warmth of the light on the bricks can make me “feel” like I am there.
Kent’s video was fantastic! Nothing like some heavy weights rattling your eardrums in the evening. I also like his photo. The thumbnail does not do it justice, but when you blow it up its a great shot.
Tom’s shot was nice, but the lack of detail just does not catch my eye. If the photo was just a little bit lighter to detail out the engines some more, I would have voted for it.
Got to hand it to Matt for trying to balance the two most extreme elements in nature for lighting. Personally I would tighten the photo up via cropping to bring out the front of the train more. The back is all one blob and detracts from the front of the train. Still, well done.
Erik’s shot is off center and the brightness pulls your eye away from the front of the train. Visually I find it a distrubing use of the rule of thirds. But what can you do when your working around water I suppose. Nicely exposed though.
Aarons shot is nice, but it looks like a standard roster shot and really doesn’t appeal to me personally. The lighting is nice. Pink and orange to go with red and white is also nice. Again hard to get a good angle without trespassing, so well done under the circumstances.
So many choices this week, it was hard to keep them all straight! I resorted to making notes:
Kent: best silhouette, windmill adds a nice touch.
Drew: 2nd best sky, reflection of sun & lights on rails adds to bottom of shot.
Tom: best sky, 2 trains working and waiting a big plus.
Andy: 2nd best use of golden hour lighting, but almost a daylight shot.
Kathi: best use of golden hour lighting, great balance of all elements (train/tower, rails/wires, buildings/snow) - 2nd place.
Matt: WOW!
Bergie: great photo, didn’t really need the train - 3rd place.
Aaron: almost a daylight shot, hint of sunset reflected in cab windows a nice touch.
After reviewing my notes, Matt got my vote for the best themed photo this time. What an incredibly lucky choice of locations, and incredibly good timing to not only silhouette the train but also catch the setting sun just above the railhead under the locomotive. Well done to all; you make these decisions so very difficult!
Matt Van Hattem’s photo is nothing short of glorious. As he says, light can not get much lower than that. The light is practically underneath the train. That photo is something that inspires people, whether you’re into trains or not.