Another from The Dustbowl: For those that were good enough to comment on my post Rust Can Work a day or two back, this one is the same event (different engine)

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

For those that were good enough to comment on my post Rust Can Work a day or two back, this one is the same event (different engine) - perhaps a better angle, with no caravans etc., just one tent top, that I could remove fairly easily. It also shows the subjects working parts rather better, which may satisfy ArtBob's requirements, and the dust is not quite so pervasive. The three engines are close-coupled and are hauling the low-loader seen at the rear - which is carrying a full-size steam locomotive! They've just come up the hill and are easing back a little. This is The Great Dorset Steam Fair at it's best, for me at any rate - and I reckon this is a pretty good shot, helped by the dust and the light. Your opinions welcomed as always.

(Download)

ncshutterbug

magnetoman wrote:

For those that were good enough to comment on my p... (show quote)

Magnetoman, I love this, as well as your previous post. The dust lends a feeling of action, and there is also a feeling of early morning work happening, even though it's all for show. The sepia treatment is the perfect finish.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A lot to enjoy here, Dave. Love the light and the dust. I find the small vehicle on right side to be a nice balancing element + the steep dusty hill is fun. Great details in the main engine! Is the 4th vehicle, closest to left side frame, of importance? If not, perhaps clone out the lettering?

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

magnetoman wrote:

For those that were good enough to comment on my p... (show quote)

This is a wonderful photo. I like everything about the composition and processing. And it is so cool that you caught them at work! Great subjects, interesting event beautifully rendered....more please.
Phil

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

ncshutterbug wrote:

Magnetoman, I love this, as well as your previous post. The dust lends a feeling of action, and there is also a feeling of early morning work happening, even though it's all for show. The sepia treatment is the perfect finish.

Glad you like it ncs, and I see what you mean about early morning but it’s actually late afternoon! In the morning everyone’s polishing their engines - in the afternoon they’re getting them dirty again, great fun! And as you say, ‘all for show’.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Linda From Maine wrote:

A lot to enjoy here, Dave. Love the light and the dust. I find the small vehicle on right side to be a nice balancing element + the steep dusty hill is fun. Great details in the main engine! Is the 4th vehicle, closest to left side frame, of importance? If not, perhaps clone out the lettering?

Thanks Linda. The vehicle is being towed by the engines but I don’t see the lettering as important, it could go - I did wonder about removing it’s bright lights?

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

rockdog wrote:

This is a wonderful photo. I like everything about the composition and processing. And it is so cool that you caught them at work! Great subjects, interesting event beautifully rendered....more please.
Phil

Thanks Phil, pleased you like it. More will put us in danger of turning the section into Gallery - perhaps I'll put some together over there. Meanwhile, how about the same shot but the coloured version - which do you prefer?

(Download)

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

magnetoman wrote:

Thanks Phil, pleased you like it. More will put us in danger of turning the section into Gallery - perhaps I'll put some together over there. Meanwhile, how about the same shot but the coloured version - which do you prefer?

The way you processed the color version gives more support to the secondary element, the dust, and it pulls me forward to a more contemporary time. That is fine because my attraction to this photo is all about the wonderful irony of these great old gents pulling their great-great grandchild up the hill! Really makes me smile, whish I'd been there. Good photos of events like this would be appreciated in the Gallery.

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

magnetoman wrote:

For those that were good enough to comment on my p... (show quote)

Commented on the 'Rust' post, this is great the dust gives it atmosphere and sepia ages it , yes well done indeed

Checked the color version out but not for me

When is the Dorset fair as would like to go this year if the timing is right

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

magnetoman wrote:

For those that were good enough to comment on my p... (show quote)

I like the subject and I like the treatment. I think it would have been absolutely fascinating to see these old engines actually working as they were intended. Wonderful.
Erich

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

rockdog wrote:

The way you processed the color version gives more support to the secondary element, the dust, and it pulls me forward to a more contemporary time. That is fine because my attraction to this photo is all about the wonderful irony of these great old gents pulling their great-great grandchild up the hill! Really makes me smile, whish I'd been there. Good photos of events like this would be appreciated in the Gallery.

You’re right, the high-key processing is to bring out the dust, and then the saturation is upped a little to help the engine detail. The irony is intentional I’m sure! Thanks for your comments rockdog, much appreciated.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

creativ simon wrote:

Commented on the 'Rust' post, this is great the dust gives it atmosphere and sepia ages it , yes well done indeed

Checked the color version out but not for me

When is the Dorset fair as would like to go this year if the timing is right

The fair is now held over the August Bank Holiday weekend, and starts on the Wednesday leading up to that weekend. Living locally I can pick the best day - heavy rain makes it nigh-on impossible to walk round as the mud gets churned-up so much (although they have recently added a metalled lane around the the main circuit to help prevent this - be interesting to see the effect of this). If rain is followed by some hot weather, as in 2013, you get the dust, but only in the arena area, and the water-sprayers get around regularly anyway. Be prepared for a long queue into the car park from 0800hours and throughout the morning. You can also stay or get in for the evening - after dark on the Saturday is great fun and offers lots of photo-ops and challenges!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

ebrunner wrote:

I like the subject and I like the treatment. I think it would have been absolutely fascinating to see these old engines actually working as they were intended. Wonderful.
Erich

Come over Erich - you can see them doing everything they were ever intended for - Road haulage, as in my shot, road works (repairs), timber yard - with huge unguarded circular saws, threshing, ploughing - with an engine each end of a sloping field and the plough being pulled up and down on a cable, it’s all here. You can also see steam cranes, steam locos, steam stationary engines, fairground Showman engines, steam cars, steam motorcycles, steam lorries, in fact, if it’s steam, it’s here. Entrants are worldwide. For steam buffs, it’s simply The Greatest Show on Earth! Plus of course, there’s every other type of vintage vehicle. I’m sure you’d enjoy it. I even saw a guy with a full-plate camera and wooden tripod taking a picture of an engine one evening, you could bond with a fellow like that!

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

magnetoman wrote:

The fair is now held over the August Bank Holiday ... (show quote)

Thanks so much for the info magnetoman

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

magnetoman wrote:

Come over Erich - you can see them doing everythin... (show quote)

The only exhibit I've seen in person here in the states was an exhibit of farm tractors. They had hundreds of old, but somewhat mundane, tractors which were a delight to see and photograph. The show stoppers were the steam tractors. There were about two dozen on display. Pity they did not run them like they do at the show you highlight. Sights and sounds must be amazing. As for the fellow with the view camera? I'd love to talk to him. I don't have one of those cameras yet; but I think it will surely be the next inevitable phase of my own personal de-evolution.
Erich