Jim_In_Plymouth Loc: Plymouth MN

Got this last fall as a local favorite restored locomotive and train headed west of the Twin Cities for a fall outing. I have presented this one or two places and got a "meh" reaction. What am I missing?

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Not sure Jim. I like it. Love the old trains. About the only thing I can see in this one is the signs on the side. When they run the train here in the park, I try to find a spot without any thing around. And I take a bunch as it get closer.:)

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I don't know either. I love the steam cloud. Maybe a little more contrast. Maybe people are looking for more drama with the steam cloud trailing behind the train. I think it might have been a more powerful image taken from the other side of the crossing. I don't mind the crossing sign, but the sign on this side of what looks like a walk is distracting and adds nothing to the image. I think that steam cloud makes up for any minor problems this might have.

Jim_In_Plymouth Loc: Plymouth MN

Erv, thank you, I noticed the signs last night as I was reviewing images. We had set up in a spot and missed the train so it was down the road with GPS and maps to catch up; I did not have time to omit the signs. It was drive up, stop the car and start shooting. I will give it a run through Lightroom / Elements to see if I can get a satisfactory removal.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Question 1 - why the burnt edges?

Question 2 - Is the train really going to fall over sideways off the tracks.

My two gut reactions.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Can't really see since there is no download to get a closer look.
Just quickly from my own opinion:
First the good, I like steam engines, you got a really good cloud of smoke and steam and the tones on it are good.
Now, the not so good
1. focus seems a bit soft on the loco, which to me is the main subject.
2. lots of details lost in the shadows on the loco
3. You could have gotten a closer crop, perhaps vertical with the loco and steam cloud as the major portion of the image with just enough of the cars and trees to set up the story line.
4. Since you are showing the whole train it would have been better to either be on the far side of the crossing so those signs and signals don't intrude on the image of the train or an alternate would be to be further back from the crossing along the tracks so those signs and signals become less intrusive due to distance behind the loco. A shaped vignette might help.
5. The overall image seems a bit flat and gray.

If you could post the original out of camera someone could tell more and work with it to illustrate.

To me, unless it is a shot of a car of special interest or a clear unobstructed view of the train and scene the loco is the center of attention and should be featured.

Quality isn't all it should be, the full file would give me more to work with, esp if in RAW but here is an illustration of some of my points:
1. cropped to portrait and got rid of the signs
2. opened up the shadows and tweaked the high lights & contrast
3. leveled the horizon (should have done that before I cropped, got some gray on right and bottom)
4. sharpened a bit

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Hmm, I was editing the words in one section and when I updated it put my picture back.
I had just been informed that an image is not allowed in this section except in the original post, and then only one, so no comparisons as in give me critique on which crop looks best.

OK, I will avoid breaking their rules in future. And in general the whole section.
As a retired classroom teacher I see the one image per thread rule as greatly crippling the whole learning/teaching process of which critique is just a step.
When they delete my image again if you like I can post an illustration of my suggestions elsewhere. Just contact me if you wish to see it. Otherwise, have a great evening.

Jim_In_Plymouth Loc: Plymouth MN

1 - Burnt edges seemed like a good idea to invoke a past era. Also, know as .... seemed like a good idea at the time.
2 - Version to follow has been straightened. Part of my Lightroom workflo should be "lens correction".

repleo Loc: Boston

The original is great shot but I prefer robertjirl's crop above. Try a bit of dehaze in Camera Raw (under the fx tab) or LR. It will really bring up the texture in the steam cloud.

Lens Cap Loc: The Cold North Coast

Jim_In_Plymouth, The first thing that hits me is the steam does not look right. It looks to be over processed.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I shoot quite a lot of steam, mostly smaller locos than this as I'm in the UK, land of moderation! I like the shot but not the processing. Engines like this are usually black or dark coloured. Here it looks rather flat and wishy-washy. Its almost an HDR b&w, but doesn't pull it off. More contrast will help - and cause you some shadow problems, but Lr will come to the rescue. The other problem is the crop. The subject is heaped into the bottom right corner of the frame - I know why, Ive done it myself, you can't resist showing all that steam. A slightly lower viewpoint, with the rails running to the bottom left corner would be fairly standard. Robertjeri has sorted it beautifully and it moves the shot to an entirely different level. Hope some of my prattle helps, and if not, leave it as it is, it's still a lovely shot. By the way, cloning-out the nearest sign would improve, but leave the other, it's typical trackside.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Jim,

Given the shooting conditions you had to work with, you captured a good image of an old Steam Engine and train in motion. The engine looks as if it is crossing a grade crossing for pedestrians or bicycles; hence the vehicle crossing signs.
Software can cover these intrusions, moving to the other side of the tracks may not have solved the signage and crossing signage can be see over there as well.
About the only this that could have improved this photograph is the timing of the exposure. Had the capture been made just as the engine was approaching the pathway it would have captured more of a dramatic effect. This is totally in control of the photographer.

How you processed the captured image may have a more dramatic effect on the element captured in the scene. If you relied on the camera to capture and them process the capture in B&W you lost a lot of creative potential. Your camera captures the scene in full color, it is up to you how to process the image for viewing. In digital photography, we have the options to process the capture in full color, or in any one of many B&W forms. If we process the color capture, we can use the same techniques the masters of the 1800s and early 1900s used to capture and print their dramatic B&W prints. Use B&W Film filters on the color image in PP.

Michael G

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Here, here to the rules comment - but the chief makes them so we have to accept. You could send the OP a pm with your version attached. It's one way round. As I've said already, you nailed the crop beautifully!

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

I like trains and I love your capture here. Great work. David

Jim_In_Plymouth Loc: Plymouth MN

Thank you, David.