Not as great as I thought...

[asis80]

Ben Sutton loses again.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewreje...&key=686903099


Should I pursue ?

Ben

[Freericks]

1) I really like it - very well done.

2) I think the backlit is nearly impossible to get past for RP purposes - even on a special like that. The majority of backlit shots on here involve a small train far away, surrounded by a very scenic shot. While the skyline is scenic, the train is large here.

[JRMDC]

Originally Posted by Freericks

1) I really like it - very well done.

I disagree - not well processed.

The image is flat. BW is about contrasts, and this doesn't have it. Take a look at the histogram, next to nothing in the top quarter (hence underexposed). I tried stretching out the tonal range and so forth, but nothing that is any good. Try remixing the shot from scratch.

[troy12n]

Originally Posted by Freericks

2) I think the backlit is nearly impossible to get past for RP purposes - even on a special like that. The majority of backlit shots on here involve a small train far away, surrounded by a very scenic shot. While the skyline is scenic, the train is large here.

Like this:

PhotoID: 326446 Photograph © Matthew Hicks

You got a nice location, but not nice sun, they dont like sidelight like that here. And like Januz said, the B&W conversion could have been better.

[trainboysd40]

You're getting old, Ben.
The whole left side of the picture blends together in the low midtone range, and the skyline stands out more than anything else - Why did you do it B&W in the first place?

[trainboysd40]

Originally Posted by troy12n

Like this:



You got a nice location, but not nice sun, they dont like sidelight like that here. And like Januz said, the B&W conversion could have been better.

Hey! That's me!
If I can give my own photo a critique...
The reason it works with the sidelight is that the near side of the train is not what your eye needs to be drawn to, it's the way it curves around the dam, and the lit covers on the concentrate cars pull you through the image that way. Plus, I brought up the near side shadows enough that they aren't disturbing on a subconscious level. Ben, in your shot they aren't either, but where the entire train past the nose is in shadow there should be a strong element to root you to the train, and the whole thing just fails to draw your eye. Hell, I failed to notice it was sidelight at first simply because that whole bit is so flat tonally! (Which comes back to the conversion...)

[asis80]

I'm getting old? What? Haha

I'll do a re-edit tomorrow after I let my eyes rest, I doubt I can make it look acceptable, but I like it personally. Thanks anyways

Ben

[bigbassloyd]

You can make it work Ben. Sometimes you need to edit a shot, let it set for a couple days, and go back to it with a fresh look. I do my best to never upload a shot right after editing, because you can miss details when you're still riding high over getting the shot.

Loyd L.

[PLEzero]

Originally Posted by asis80

I'm getting old? What?

You basically said it yourself only a few hours ago...

Originally Posted by asis80

I haven't asked this in a long time and its mainly heated towards the younger folk......

Photo looks like it has potential but if you're going to make it black and white there has to be black AND white in the photo. Grayscale is not B&W. Brighten it up and get more range than different shades of gray and I think you have a shot at getting it in.

[troy12n]

Look on the bright side, you pulled a fast one on them by getting this really unlevel one on

PhotoID: 362885 Photograph © Ben Sutton

[TAMR159]

I thought that angle looked familiar...

PhotoID: 192923 Photograph © John Ireland

[milwman]

Originally Posted by troy12n

Look on the bright side, you pulled a fast one on them by getting this really unlevel one on

Looks good to me, Me thinks you laid on one side to long!

[coborn35]

Originally Posted by TAMR159

I thought that angle looked familiar...

That sky looks really bad on my monitor, cant tell if its dust spots or not. But Bne, that picture prompts me to say that I really wish you could include more skyline.

[PLEzero]

Originally Posted by coborn35

I really wish you could include more skyline.

You can. Although it's a tough spot with the track set up, where the signals are, and where the telephone poles are.

PhotoID: 248418 Photograph © Brad Morocco

PhotoID: 287670 Photograph © Brad Morocco

[troy12n]

Originally Posted by TAMR159

I thought that angle looked familiar...

I think it's pretty ridiculous that they let this one on, but not his. Be consistent. That shot is really underexposed/dark on the subject (the train). Oh, and it's a little unlevel (needs CCW). And the aforementioned dust spots (I count 4 of them) and ugly sky. Wow...

[PLEzero]

Originally Posted by troy12n

I think it's pretty ridiculous that they let this one on, but not his. Be consistent.

That was also uploaded in 2007. A lot has changed here since then.

[troy12n]

Originally Posted by PLEzero

That was also uploaded in 2007. A lot has changed here since then.

Ok, I didn't notice that it was an old image. Nevermind...

[asis80]

thanks for the kind help guys, appreciate it.

Ben

[JimThias]

Originally Posted by Freericks

2) I think the backlit is nearly impossible to get past for RP purposes - even on a special like that. The majority of backlit shots on here involve a small train far away, surrounded by a very scenic shot.

I think you're on to something...

PhotoID: 309719 Photograph © Jim Thias

[asis80]

Its a no go again guys. No biggie, thanks again

Ben