A little help please

[Reginald McDowell]

I tried to submit a shot of this particular train. First time, I got a composition/balance rejection

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...76&key=6979700

Next time, I tried, I got a bad cropping reject


http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...11&key=4978564


I'm kinda at a lost for which direction to head now. Any suggestions?

[miningcamper1]

I never understood these two rejections! Isn't "cropping" the way to achieve a pleasing "composition"?
A distinction without a difference? Or am I missing something?

[Mgoldman]

Originally Posted by miningcamper1

I never understood these two rejections! Isn't "cropping" the way to achieve a pleasing "composition"?
A distinction without a difference? Or am I missing something?

I would assume a bad crop is less about "balance/ composition" and more about using a "poor" aspect ratio or cropping out something that should've remained, or vice versa - like a building or pole.

Both seem somewhat centered in regards to the subject - ie, the train is centered in the center of the image, top to bottom. I'd suggest lowering the train or adding more sky.

/Mitch

[Mberry]

Originally Posted by Mgoldman

Both seem somewhat centered in regards to the subject - ie, the train is centered in the center of the image, top to bottom. I'd suggest lowering the train or adding more sky.

/Mitch

Agreed.....

[jac_murphy]

Originally Posted by Mgoldman

Both seem somewhat centered in regards to the subject - ie, the train is centered in the center of the image, top to bottom. I'd suggest lowering the train or adding more sky.

/Mitch

I agree with you for the first one, Mitch, but the second one isn't centered top to bottom at all... there's considerably more space above the train than below.

To be honest, I can't see anything wrong with the second one (and I prefer the fact that the signal box isn't visible.) They *might* possibly want a bit off the left, though?

-Jacques

[Reginald McDowell]

PhotoID: Photograph ©

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm still a novice in this, but trying to pick up tips from you guys that's been doing this for a while.

[JimThias]

Reginald, did you happen to snap a frame where the train is not touching the signal box? Seems like in one shot you have it touching and in the other you have it cropped out (and not close to the box). The shot was accepted, so it really doesn't matter at this point, but for future reference, having the train positioned perfectly between the two elements would have been even more appealing.

[Reginald McDowell]

Originally Posted by JimThias

Reginald, did you happen to snap a frame where the train is not touching the signal box? Seems like in one shot you have it touching and in the other you have it cropped out (and not close to the box). The shot was accepted, so it really doesn't matter at this point, but for future reference, having the train positioned perfectly between the two elements would have been even more appealing.

I did, but the one that was rejected for bad cropping, I cropped it out. I took one later after the signal box was covered, but had the shadow of the power line right through the middle of the unit, so was figuring distracting shadow for that one.