"Noise" or Texture?

matth · 10-19-2008, 02:52 AM

I recently took a photo of a very rusty C&IM switch lock. I thought the shot turned out well, but it got rejected for excessive "noise". I have double checked my processing and am convinced that the "noise" is really the extremely rusty, pitted surface of the lock itself. Am I missing something here? Does a photo like this appeal to people, besides local C&IM fans such as myself? Feel free to provide any tips for fixing this photo or making another attempt.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...key=1090083459

ottergoose · 10-19-2008, 03:29 AM

It's a nice texture shot, and I think you're correct - it's texture and not noise.

I'm not a huge fan of the shot, but I think it'd get some clicks if it was accepted.

EMTRailfan · 10-19-2008, 04:15 AM

Here are some other locks on RPN.

ddavies · 10-19-2008, 04:36 AM

Not noise. To tell if it is noise, look in an area of solid light color. If you see colored specs, then you have noise.

matth · 10-19-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddavies

Not noise. To tell if it is noise, look in an area of solid light color. If you see colored specs, then you have noise.

Well I'm glad we're all agreed. I didn't think it was noise either because, as you say, there isn't any speckling in the background or on the other metal pieces that aren't all rusty. When I look at the raw image I can actually see spider webs that are tack sharp.

I'll resubmit and see what, if anything, happens.

Thanks for the lock link EMTRailfan! There are some very interesting shots. I especially liked the dual lock DRGW/ATSF shot on the Joint Line.

Joe the Photog · 10-20-2008, 04:27 AM

To me, the noise/texture issue is a moot point because I don't think the shot works. With almost all of the lock shots which were linked, I look at them and can tell what they are right away. When I look at your reject, I don't really know right off what I'm looking at. I think it should get a PEQ reject.

The good news is that it seems from your caption that this lock won't be going away anywhere anytime soon. Try, try again.

Joe

Walter S · 10-20-2008, 04:31 AM

Congrats

PhotoID:
Photograph ©

Joe the Photog · 10-20-2008, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walter S

Congrats

PhotoID:
Photograph ©

What do I know?

Joe

Walter S · 10-20-2008, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe the Photog

What do I know?

Joe

LMAO, priceless

Happens to me all the time

matth · 10-20-2008, 05:07 AM

I knew the noise thing was bogus, but I didn't think I had much of a chance getting the shot accepted, especially after my appeal was also rejected. Admittedly, the intense rust on the lock does make things a little hard to see at first, but it was that pitted, rusty texture that gave me the idea that it would make a good shot. The RP.net screeners work in mysterious ways...

EMTRailfan · 10-20-2008, 02:58 PM

Lock Link updated...Congrats!!!