Foreground Clutter

[transit383]

Hello all,

Long time reader, first time poster to these forums. I have a quick question regarding this rejection:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreject.php?id=415172

It was rejected for "Foreground Clutter", which I can see. However, it isn't possible to duplicate this shot without getting some kind of vegetation in front of the train (this one was taken in the Spring when there were no leaves on the trees, and the location is completely covered with brush now). But I like the location and I think that old PRR concrete block is really cool.

My question is, if I change the railroad in the drop down menu to Pennsylvania Railroad and focus more on the concrete block with the keystone (leaving the NJT train in the background), would this have a better chance of getting in? Or is this one that should just be filed away?

Thanks!

[Rich K]

I personally like the idea of using the PRR relic to add some sense of depth and distance to the shot. However, this particular version I think has little chance of acceptance.

In this one I feel the block is too large in relation to the rest of the shot and too near the right edge. Also, the front coupler is almost obscured by the concrete block, and the signal stand positioned in front of the "River Line" is a distraction to me.

I would suggest trying this one again. I would move back a bit and take a step or two to the right, opening up the shot and trying to make the stone just a bit less dominant. Also, I would fire the shutter a little sooner before the front of the train passes behind the signal.

Just my opinion.

[Joe the Photog]

It's still going to be foreground clutter no matter how you dress this shot up. I'd probably heed Rich's advice and try again with the thought that the stone is going to be the focus of the shot, not the train. On the other hand, it's still going to be a block of concrete no matter how you shoot it, so I don't know if this is a good spot for photography.


Joe

[Northern Limits]

Maybe it is not the block of cement. I suggest a machete to get rid of the growth that is "obstructing" the second car.

[a231pacific]

Go cut down some brush, then try something like this.

Michael Allen

[Crusader]

I tend to agree about the brush being the problem. As a fellow resident of the weed-choked, trash-strewn northeast, I frequently get the "foreground clutter" rejection. I've even considered doing some brush cutting of my own to clear a shot or two but couldn't figure out what I'd tell a cop who asked what I was doing cutting down saplings in a city park.

I'd go with Mr. Allen's suggestion.

[MichaelJ]

I think foreground clutter more refers to the signal and the block of cement than the vegetation. Try and re-shot this photo where there is minimal vegetation.

For example ...

PhotoID: 194359 Photograph © Michael James

[transit383]

Thanks guys!

The location itself isn't bad for photography, it has quite a few good angles, such as this photo

(How do you get the little thumbnail to show up in the thread?)

Looks like I've got some work to do at this spot once the winter rolls around!

[JRMDC]

Originally Posted by transit383

(How do you get the little thumbnail to show up in the thread?)

[photoid=XXXXXX]

where in this case XXXXXX would be 185276

PhotoID: 185276 Photograph © Gerald Oliveto

[Crusader]

Originally Posted by MichaelJ

Try and re-shot this photo where there is minimal vegetation.

We're talking about New Jersey here. I believe the weed is the state flower.

This issue does emphasize the challenge (and importance) of getting a clear shot. Most of my photos are from the Philly area, where trash-strewn ROWs, overhead wires, and the like are all too common.

Gerry Oliveto's shot is a beauty tho. There's about one week each spring when the RiverLine looks like that.