Mitigating circumstances

Heymon · 02-10-2012, 05:29 AM

I submitted this image and was rejected due to poor lighting/backlit.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...&key=963864715

I certainly knew the image was lacking in that respect, but felt that other aspects of the composition might have balanced out that flaw. In fact, a recent screener's choice featured similar lighting that was balanced out by other strong aspects, and I have seen a number of such images get in of late so I thought maybe there was a bit more wiggle room than in the past (which I think is a good thing).

So my question is whether my image should have been strong enough to be accepted given the flaw, or if the image is just too flawed to merit acceptance and I am simply biased and narcissistic?

I appreciate your helpful criticism.

Andre

JimThias · 02-10-2012, 01:02 PM

Can you redo it with better lighting and perhaps the lead loco placed a little better? There is a gap in front of the nose that could be filled. Definitely an interesting scene to look at.

Hatchetman · 02-10-2012, 01:08 PM

That might look pretty cool in B&W.

JimThias · 02-10-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatchetman

That might look pretty cool in B&W.

Hadn't thought of that, but now that you mention it...definitely agree.

magicman_841 · 02-10-2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heymon

I certainly knew the image was lacking in that respect, but felt that other aspects of the composition might have balanced out that flaw.

Yes. It's a beautiful image, but if they want to nitpick, not much you can do about it.

Their loss.

JRMDC · 02-10-2012, 01:32 PM

I'm not a fan of the crop. The left edge is so overwhelming, in detail and in brightness, that the shot goes off balance. Also, for RP in particular, I think it is too much focus on the trunk and structure, too little on the train. That is subjective and RP certainly takes "tiny train" shots but here it doesn't work to my eye. And especially because the left side does not end, the eye keeps running off the left edge of the frame, the linear patterns in the branches are so strong. And also because the brightness of the wood makes the train just that much darker in comparison.

Attached is a crop that might work better. I also moved the middle slider to darken just a bit. BW is another good idea, but even then I would give some serious thought and experimentation to the best crop on the left.

BUFFIE · 02-10-2012, 04:21 PM

The log's shape now 'channels' the eye to the train, and you still get the feel of the old shack on the left. Very cool.

Joe the Photog · 02-10-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRMDC

Attached is a crop that might work better. I also moved the middle slider to darken just a bit. BW is another good idea, but even then I would give some serious thought and experimentation to the best crop on the left.

I do like this crop better, but I'm not sure about it getting on RP for lighting issues and foreground "clutter: concerns. Certainly a good shot though.

jac_murphy · 02-10-2012, 10:19 PM

I like it as-is.

-Jacques

Heymon · 02-11-2012, 05:33 AM

Thanks to those that complimented the image and offered assistance.

Janusz, I really liked your crop. I agree that it was too heavy on the left in the original image. Unfortunately, the rejection wasn't just cropping, it was that lighting issue. Still, your crop helps the locomotive become more prominent, so I might resubmit and see if anything changes.

I did try this in black and white at first, but it makes the train seem even less prominent than in color. I may play with it a bit with the new crop and see if I can make that work, but personally I would rather have it in color I think. B&W does have an Old West feel that I like, I must say.

Andre

troy12n · 02-12-2012, 01:57 AM

Usually they let a trivial lighting issue like this (either not full nose light, or a side of the train not lit) on artsy fartsy shots like this. I guess one of the screeners didnt feel it was AF enough or was in a pissy mood. I tend to like the shot.

Heymon · 02-13-2012, 03:57 AM

So I cropped it like Janusz but got the same rejection plus the "foreground clutter" rejection. I find that latter rejection rather annoying, but whatever. Nothing else to do on this I guess except wait until summer and hope the sun gets on the other side of the tracks.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...=1013415&key=0

Andre

JimThias · 02-13-2012, 01:19 PM

Foreground rejection is most likely for the shrubbery in front of the loco. Two things, cut that stuff down and also let the loco get a little farther along to fill up that gap. That looks like a remote area and I doubt anyone is going to care if you do a little trimming.