What Do You Think ?

trainmaster_1 · 11-16-2009, 03:05 AM

This was rejected for PEQ a few days ago after giving it a try and see what was really wrong with the shot from another person's point of view, but now I'd like to see if I can improve on it for next time. Any thoughts ?

asis80 · 11-16-2009, 03:26 AM

I think if we were looking at a locked out switch, it'd be a different story. Here, it's just a locked gate (I'm assuming?). I love the signals in the background, I do, but we need something more railroad related here, and possibly a streak perhaps? Just a thought.

Ben

trainmaster_1 · 11-16-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asis80

I think if we were looking at a locked out switch, it'd be a different story. Here, it's just a locked gate (I'm assuming?). I love the signals in the background, I do, but we need something more railroad related here, and possibly a streak perhaps? Just a thought.

Ben

Thanks Ben for the reply, you are correct on one thing it is a locked gate, I wanted to focus more on the lock and chain in the foreground and signals in the background. I'll try the possibility of having the train streak through and see what kind of results that come with it.

Chase55671 · 11-16-2009, 06:59 AM

I like the shot as it is, Michael. I think a streak may be nice, but it could take away from the image and put more focus on the streak rather than the lock.

The shallow depth of field showing the crisp detail of the lock is pretty nice, and the signals in the background do make for a nice touch. I would've accepted the image as it stands.

Chase

Slopes09 · 11-16-2009, 07:23 AM

There's a lot of dead space to the left. Maybe compose it so that the lock is on the left, and the signal is on an intersection of thirds. Maybe add the train streak as well.

DWHonan · 11-16-2009, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trainmaster_1

This was rejected for PEQ a few days ago after giving it a try and see what was really wrong with the shot from another person's point of view, but now I'd like to see if I can improve on it for next time. Any thoughts ?

I think this may not be a "RailPictures" type of photo, but that certainly doesn't mean it's a bad shot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asis80

Here, it's just a locked gate (I'm assuming?). I love the signals in the background, I do, but we need something more railroad related here

To me, nothing says "railroad" more than than a dark, decrepit industrial area with tracks running through it, a gate secured with a lock embossed with the railroad's initials to protect the right-of-way, a distant signal beckoning a train... What more could you want? It's not a "train" shot, it's a depiction of "railroad."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slopes09

There's a lot of dead space to the left. Maybe compose it so that the lock is on the left, and the signal is on an intersection of thirds. Maybe add the train streak as well.

I disagree. The "rule of thirds" is nice, but it's really just a set of guidelines for composing an aesthetically-pleasing image, not an etched-in-stone rule that requires all subjects to be located at a 1/3 grid intersection. This shot is balanced quite nicely, with the prominent subject dominating the left-two thirds of the image and the supporting objects relegated towards the edges. As Chase noted, adding a streak would detract from the point of this shot.

There's a lot more to photographing railroads than ensuring the nose of the lead unit lands on a grid point, that the sun is over your shoulder, and all the other supposed must-dos are accounted for. Michael's photo is something I wouldn't be surprised to find in the pages of Trains -- not a typical out-of-the-box image, but something that absolutely screams "this is a railroad" to the viewer. Well done.

Chase55671 · 11-16-2009, 07:58 PM

Good to see it was accepted, Michael!

PhotoID: 304230
Photograph © Michael Da Costa

Chase

asis80 · 11-16-2009, 08:11 PM

Heh, I wouldn't have guessed it would have been accepted. Good job, I suppose.

Ben

DWHonan · 11-17-2009, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asis80

Heh, I wouldn't have guessed it would have been accepted. Good job, I suppose.

Ben

Seriously, Ben? It's RailPictures.Net, not ProperlyLitSunnyDayWedgiesOfTrains.Net. Just because it isn't something you'd shoot doesn't mean that you should denigrate its acceptance. The database could certainly benefit from an influx of variety, and I'm glad to see Michael's photo incorporated therein.

Mgoldman · 11-17-2009, 02:40 AM

My suggestion would have been to appeal - nice shot.

/Mitch

Hmm... I wonder if my French dog had a SCNF dog tag - nevermind.

Chase55671 · 11-17-2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asis80

Heh, I wouldn't have guessed it would have been accepted. Good job, I suppose.

Ben

It's creativity, Ben. Something I wish I saw more of in the database. It's a very unique composition and something about the color really has me liking the shot.

Seems like other members agree as well.

Chase

asis80 · 11-17-2009, 04:05 AM

I'm sorry guys, just doesn't scream railroad to me. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Fine, be creative, you don't think I haven't been creative before? I could give 2 shits less if it's sunny or not to be honest. And I've said in the past I'd like to see more creativeness also, recently, I just have to find it. NEVER did in my above statements say that I want to see 3/4 quarter wedgies or ProperlyLitSunnyDayWedgiesOfTrains to be exact. Do I shoot them? Yes, but I'm also always thinking. If the situation just can't find it's way creatively in my head, I'll shoot the train just to shoot it. I'm not bashing this guy for being creative. GREAT! Keep doing it, just for this image I would have liked to see more railroad, THAT'S ALL. And if no one likes that opinion, again, I'm sorry.

Ben

JRMDC · 11-17-2009, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asis80

I'm sorry guys, just doesn't scream railroad to me. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Fine, be creative, you don't think I haven't been creative before? I could give 2 shits less if it's sunny or not to be honest. And I've said in the past I'd like to see more creativeness also, recently, I just have to find it. NEVER did in my above statements say that I want to see 3/4 quarter wedgies or ProperlyLitSunnyDayWedgiesOfTrains to be exact. Do I shoot them? Yes, but I'm also always thinking. If the situation just can't find it's way creatively in my head, I'll shoot the train just to shoot it. I'm not bashing this guy for being creative. GREAT! Keep doing it, just for this image I would have liked to see more railroad, THAT'S ALL. And if no one likes that opinion, again, I'm sorry.

Ben, I don't think it was your opinion, but rather this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by asis80

Good job, I suppose.

The "I suppose" comes across pretty snarky to me, or something like that.

asis80 · 11-17-2009, 04:16 AM

Oh the perils of internet, J. Some things typed over the www come off as "snarky" as you put it or sarcastic or just downright mean, but in fact it's the total opposite. Don't ask me for examples right now, I'm too tired to think at the moment. Probably more reason to get off of here before I get banned again for typing something I really don't want to say. But to get back to the original topic, I guess it is hard to take "I suppose" in a nice manner.

Ben

Diamond D · 11-17-2009, 04:21 AM

That's a great image Michael, nicely done. Did you use a remotely-triggered flash to light the lock?

trainmaster_1 · 11-17-2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diamond D

That's a great image Michael, nicely done. Did you use a remotely-triggered flash to light the lock?

Nick, no. I used a LED key chain light to light up the lock just enough to allow the camera's AF to focus on the subject. The lighting you see in the shot is thanks to an approaching freight train moments before the shutter was released.

trainmaster_1 · 11-17-2009, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asis80

Oh the perils of internet, J. Some things typed over the www come off as "snarky" as you put it or sarcastic or just downright mean, but in fact it's the total opposite. Don't ask me for examples right now, I'm too tired to think at the moment. Probably more reason to get off of here before I get banned again for typing something I really don't want to say. But to get back to the original topic, I guess it is hard to take "I suppose" in a nice manner.

Ben

Ben, it's pretty hard to make a nice comment over the internet when you type something that might come off as snarky or sarcastic, but we got our own styles on what we like to shoot. I respect everyone's opinion around here (each to their own) and pleased with the amount of creative angles, unique compositions and various locations displayed on RP from a lot of photographers, hopefully it motivates those looking to strive better and look at themselves to become better photographers in the future.

Joe the Photog · 11-17-2009, 05:09 AM

I don't get the sarcasm or snarky angle here. Had I commented my opinion on the shot, Ben's comment would have appeared to be gushing with adjectives and niceties. We're all big boys here (a few girls in the mix here and there). I think we can voice an opinion without being jumped on within reason.

My only point about the photo was that thre appears to be something growing out of the left side of the lock. I can't tell if it's part of a building or a railroad signal. My advice, meaningless at this point, was to go and redo it without the growth.

JimThias · 11-17-2009, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe the Photog

My only point about the photo was that thre appears to be something growing out of the left side of the lock. I can't tell if it's part of a building or a railroad signal.

Joe, can you elaborate on this? I don't see what you're talking about.

Chase55671 · 11-17-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimThias

Joe, can you elaborate on this? I don't see what you're talking about.

I think Joe is referring to this..

Chase

JimThias · 11-17-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase55671

I think Joe is referring to this..

Chase

Can't be. It's obvious what that is (not to mention it's blurred, unlike the lock). There MUST be something else I'm missing that he's referring to.

Chase55671 · 11-17-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimThias

Can't be. It's obvious what that is (not to mention it's blurred, unlike the lock). There MUST be something else I'm missing that he's referring to.

Hmm, than I am not certain.

Case

milwman · 11-17-2009, 11:55 AM

I like the shot as is but I may have tried a longer lens or zoomed in some to narrow the angel some.

Joe the Photog · 11-17-2009, 05:22 PM

Chase was right. I can tell it's not PART of the lock. But it is distracting to me. It's like taking a roster shot of an engine, then composing a telephone pole growing out of the top. We all know the pole isn't part of the engine, but it's distracting (to me) especially if it could have been composed differently.