Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Frisco steam locomotive #4501 was built in 1942, weight is 800,000 lb. now on display at Frisco's Museum of the American Railroad's in Frisco Texas.

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Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

If you were taking a shot for the catalog of this place or for a steam engine buff to hang on his wall it aint half bad mate. I would tend to subdue the highlights and reveal more detail in the shadowed areas via Camera Raw but they are small points.
If one is not all that interested in steam engines or looking for a great jigsaw image its lacking in interest or impact. A good technically sound photo certainly but without that strange love affair some have with steam engines it has not got a lot going for it.
Seems access was unlimited to this engine so its open for close ups and shots maybe with a wide angle lens from a low view point etc. I suppose what Im saying is to interest someone like me who thinks one steam engine looks pretty similar to every other thinking out of the box composition wise is needed to make it worth more than a quick glance.
If your a steam fan then its ready for a frame if your not its just another old steam engine.

ediesaul

If one looks at Graham Smith's photos of steam locomotives, I think that he is able to make his trains "characters" in his images, in contrast to this image, which, to me, is simply there. If the purpose of the photo is to remember your visit, as opposed to creating art, I think you accomplished your purpose.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I have to agree with you Billy. It was a sunny day and had a hard time looking at the back of the camera to see my exposure. Most all the engines were for looks only and did not run. The detail areas had so much thick gloss paint on them that they lost that old detail mechanical look. I shot these in raw and opened up the shadows all the way and then some while reducing the highlights and adding clarity. There was another engine on the track behind this one and the sky was a bit blown out. I replace all the sky and some ground in right & back of the engine. I was sitting on the ground for this shot and a zoom lens set at 35 mm. I have a wide angle lens but didn't bring it you might be right it might have made a more interesting shot. Thank for your thoughts.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Graham has posted some of the best photos here of the Hog. These were in a museum and not running where we could see the smoke billowing out of the stack. I wanted to get some feed back to see how I might process other shots I took of additional locomotives this same day. We only had about 30 feet between the train and a fence so was a bit limited with angles. Thanks for your input appreciate it Edie.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I like the image! A tweak here and there and it's fine. How ever.......
When doing steam engine "portraits" the engine and tender (aka coal car) are photographed as a unit. With out its tender an engine is incomplete.
Your assignment Mr. Pops, if you decide to take it,is to return to the scene and use a wider lens or move back or ....

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Your right, I need to go back out there and try again with a wider angle lens. I have a 14 mm I could try. Hopefully distortion is not to bad. I can't get further away because of a fence and the track is on a bend causing even more distortion. Thanks for stopping by Rich.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I don't know if you cropped this image. I would like to see a bit more of the front and the back. It seems tight to the border to me. Could be just a personal thing. I like steam engines. I always have and I probably always will. So, there is definite interest for me. I think, however, that you could try different pp approaches (assuming that a re shoot is not very convenient) that might well show this grand engine in a more impressive light. I do like that the clouds almost look like steam coming out of the stack. With some creative cloning, you might actually be able to achieve that illusion.
Erich

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

The train was coupled to another engine so didn't want any more in front. This photo is not cropped at all. I like your idea of adding the steam. I will definitely try that. Thank for your thoughts Erich.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Regarding your sentence I quoted above, I find the sleek and shiny look to be very appealing! However, as these are historical museum pieces, perhaps that isn't the response you were going for

So for aged, and especially if you're considering Erich's suggestion regarding steam, you might try b&w or sepia.

I tried cropping an inch or so from the bottom from this shot as the amount of grass foreground seemed unnecessary. Your sky looks good!

If the structure/architecture of the engines appeal to you, you might also consider close-up shots of specific parts, especially if shown as a group. A study of mechanics and/or form.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Thanks for your comments Linda. I tried this one as a B&W didn't like my version. I did another train in this section "Big Boy 4018" in a B&W see what you think it is only a partial shot. I was so limited to how far away from the train because of a fence. I will try and crop a bit off of the bottom and then get a print made.I also might try to add steam.