Subject Too Far Away

[transit383]

Hi all,

Looking for some insight on the below rejection:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...34&key=4042286

While the train is across the mile-wide Hudson River, I framed it so there would be enough foreground interest to balance the photo. Any opinions on this shot?

Thanks!

[KevinM]

Hi Gerald,

I am just guessing that the issue is that there are a lot of boats in the immediate foreground, leading the viewer to believe those boats are the subject of the photo. Compounding the problem is the fact that the lead locomotives are almost a "merge" with the antennas and tops on several boats. A while back, I myself learned that "merges" between the subject matter and other elements are something to be avoided in photography. I think that if you had been able to somehow achieve some elevation, separating the train from the boats, the issue could have been mitigated to some degree. Still, being so close to those boats was always going to relegate the train to a minor element, that the viewer might notice if he/she looked at the photo long enough.

Those are just my observations.

[JimThias]

Submit that to boatpictures.net.

[troy12n]

I actually agree with this one...

[RobJor]

Originally Posted by JimThias

Submit that to boatpictures.net.

Actually it is boatnerds but they only want "REAL" boats.
Bob

[transit383]

Thanks for the replies. Tried an earlier northbound shot from the other side of the bridge that made it in:

PhotoID: 550298 Photograph © Gerald Oliveto

[KevinM]

Much better! The lack of foreground obstructions makes all of the difference. Yes, there are plenty of images with boats in the foreground, such as the many (MANY) shots taken at the marina in Neabsco, VA. The difference is that in those photos, the train is on a tall bridge, creating separation between the foreground elements and itself. There is no "merge" in those images. I think that was the issue with your original shot. Since the locomotives were almost directly behind the boats, the boats became the subject and the train was just a minor element entangled with the subject.

[JRMDC]

Originally Posted by KevinM

many (MANY) shots taken at the marina in Neabsco, VA.

Only 223 on RP.

No offense to the OP, but frankly I'd much prefer more Neabsco with interesting foreground than the many shots taken across the Hudson River (and other waterways), especially those perpendicular to the shore, where the foreground is merely an expanse of water. Give me some diagonal lines or something!

The second shot here has interesting verticality contrasting with the distant horizontal element.