top bottom left right anything but middle

JRMDC · 10-09-2013, 02:03 AM

can't crop the middle, after all!

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...60&key=7278099

I have some thoughts but don't trust them. I like it as it is, actually - surprise, surprise, wouldn't have uploaded it otherwise - but looking for fresh perspective.

troy12n · 10-09-2013, 02:25 AM

You are not going to like my suggestion, but to "get it on", do a vertical crop.

Barring that, I would take some off the right and bottom.

Mgoldman · 10-09-2013, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRMDC

can't crop the middle, after all!

I disagree - I'm not a fan of the freight car nor the ugly white building.

I would do just that - crop the middle.

Name: J 734 Overcast Centr Crop.jpg
Views: 288
Size: 562.2 KB

Name: J 734 Overcast Centr Crop.jpg
Views: 288
Size: 562.2 KB

/Mitch

Mgoldman · 10-09-2013, 02:29 AM

If you're not into that - I'd crop the top - the sky isn't your friend and the crop is a bit "tall". Vertical, better yet.

/Mitch

troy12n · 10-09-2013, 02:35 AM

Here you go, I added a couple other "fixes" while I was at it.

JRMDC · 10-09-2013, 02:53 AM

Harrumph, I say!

But I do see the value of the vertical approach, thanks.

KevinM · 10-09-2013, 01:37 PM

Like Mitch, I am not in love with some of the elements (notably the dump truck) in this shot. Troy's suggestion of doing a vertical crop is one possibility. Another is going 4:5 and cropping down if you have the MPs.

bigbassloyd · 10-09-2013, 01:48 PM

I'd reshoot on a better weather day..

Loyd L.

JRMDC · 10-09-2013, 02:19 PM

Kevin, I'm a fan of verticals more than most but I don't care for the ones proposed here. Too ordinary, just engine and trees, cloudy/common to me. So I much prefer your approach, because it keeps more of the scene, and I will work on that.

As for the "elements", pretty is pretty and this isn't it, and that doesn't bother me so much - because, regrettably, I seem to run into it all the time.

But I understand the issue with respect to its general appeal.

Loyd, ha ha. Actually, it is an interesting question of what sort of weather is best for shooting a northbound train that runs only at 11:30am, so no beginning/end of day side light. I happened to get stuck with dark overcast, maybe light overcast? I'd say a snowy day with light overcast. Not much possibility of that, and frankly this location isn't so wonderful that I am going to seek out other opportunities.

Hatchetman · 10-09-2013, 03:23 PM

That is a tough one. The MOW(?) car is a problem.

JRMDC · 10-09-2013, 05:01 PM

Hatch, I thought it was just a covered hopper, but it has some railings on top that don't look right, so I have no idea what it is for.

To me the bigger problem than the car - what's the problem, freight cars are along side the tracks in lots of places! - is that large plain gray wall on the left side.

Should I photoshop some graffiti on it?

A WM fireball herald?

bigbassloyd · 10-09-2013, 06:22 PM

I honestly think that if the composition or look of the image isn't extremely striking at first glance, the eyes find something to hate about it.

The hopper is the offender in this instance. I didn't notice the wall until you pointed it out.

Just cheapen yourself and go vertical.

Loyd L.

JRMDC · 10-09-2013, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbassloyd

Just cheapen yourself and go vertical.

Loyd L.

Or stick to principles and bury it on flickr for 15 views max!

But I just don't see why the hopper is so offensive. If I had time/inclination I'd look around and see if there are (at least somewhat) comparable shots on RP.

JimThias · 10-09-2013, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRMDC

Or stick to principles and bury it on flickr for 15 views max!

You definitely need to network more.

ken45 · 10-09-2013, 10:01 PM

I'd let this one go. It looks like a cloudy day grab shot, and there really isn't much going for this scene. There's just too much distracting clutter and the light stinks. Even if you did manage to get it on, it really wouldn't add anything to your collection of photos on RP.

JRMDC · 10-09-2013, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimThias

You definitely need to network more.

Beginning networking now!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrm_dc/10177258223/

jac_murphy · 10-11-2013, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRMDC

Or stick to principles and bury it on flickr for 15 views max!

Not since Flickr started screwing with the ways views get counted.

I now get about four times more views on a daily basis than I did three or four months ago (and I haven't uploaded anything in quite some time.)

-Jacques

Holloran Grade · 10-11-2013, 05:21 AM

Is the building on the hill in the upper left hand corner important?

JRMDC · 10-11-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holloran Grade

Is the building on the hill in the upper left hand corner important?

In life? no idea

In the photo? Well, I do like showing that the city is not just flat. I suppose I could crop below the building but still above the row of houses on the hillside.

Anyway, I've set this one aside. The vert does not interest me much, and I decided it was time to let this one go.

Holloran Grade · 10-11-2013, 04:16 PM

^^ It just seemed that it was an element that you wanted to show, so before I suggested a crop where it disappeared, I thought I would ask.

My personal take - this is not a really photogenic spot even with the city, a much closer crop would be the direction "I" would go, and in this instance, I would have opted for a ground level shot.

JRMDC · 10-11-2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holloran Grade

in this instance, I would have opted for a ground level shot.

The shot was not planned; I didn't even know of the spot. I had left the spot where I got the station departure shot and was taking a shortcut with intentions of heading on down the line when I ran across railfans on the bridge. To my surprise the train had not yet gotten to this point - they apparently did a second boarding for the rear cars on the train - so I had time to park and get back to this spot on the bridge. Got to see a very nice steam departure, although not a photogenic one.

JMC · 10-11-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holloran Grade

My personal take - this is not a really photogenic spot even with the city, a much closer crop would be the direction "I" would go, and in this instance, I would have opted for a ground level shot.

That and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee, since your shots are complete shit

Holloran Grade · 10-11-2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRMDC

The shot was not planned; .........

That too, seemed obvious based on your past work.

My close crop preference would be to get rid of as much as the background as possible.

Example:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMC

That and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee, since your shots are complete shit

Nope, one look at me and they charge double, even at Dennys.

JimThias · 10-11-2013, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holloran Grade

My close crop preference would be to get rid of as much as the background as possible.

Example:

That's a roster shot. J shot a scene.

Joe the Photog · 10-12-2013, 12:07 AM

Any reason the steamer is so far back in the frame, J? If you shot it when it was closer to you, it might get rid of the distractions everyone keeps bringing up.