Weekly Competition #262 - Going Loco Competition

You didn't make this easy for me, detailed comments will be posted later

Train at Piccadilly Station - John RileyBelting shot to kick the comp off. I'm enjoying this as much for the architecture as the Train itself. Great viewpoint and super linear perspective with all the struts, girders, platforms and ceiling lights all appearing to radiate out from the semi arch at the rear of the shot. I also like the detail in the brickwork at the right hand side, very nice. The train is almost secondary but compliments the whole perfectly. Super shot, my only niggle is the lack of detail in the track and right hand side of the train.

Freight Train - FrankieVery nice shot here. I like the vibrancy and also the positioning of the driver, visible in his hi-viz jacket through the windscreen. I think you've got the compo right with the curving train and carriages coming into view from the right behind the green foliage. It looks like a very bright day which has unfortunately led to some purple fringing above and to the left of the drivers cockpit. This is the only negative I have about the image.

Waiting to launch - Dodge 69What an incredibly dynamic image for static subject matter, well titled also. You can sense the raw power of the locos alright. I like the use of wide angle and the converging lines enhance rather than detract here. Again super linear perspective with the platforms, struts etc appearing to radiating for the rear of the station. Remarkable sense of depth achieved also. HDR spot on in my opinion giving clarity and detail to the whole shot, can't find much wrong with this, great shot Sean

Old Faithful - davidstormVery interesting and creative shot David, Wouldn't even occur to me to take this sort of shot. Clever selective focus shot wide open which i find draws the eye and reveals just the right amount of detail and interest. Super textural detail on the engine casting and nice compositional placement of the golden/brass star and pipework. Can't find fault here, great image and use of the Macro lens.

Going Loco, Loco gone - MarieSorry Marie but this image is far too small for me to judge. Shame as it looks quite promising.

Branch Line - JakI do like this shot, very different from the kind I imagined I would be judging. Excellent POV and I like the angular line of the train, leading down into the frame, which is nicely and naturally framed by the foliage and foreground grass/bracken. Nice vibrancy ,strong colour and great to see the driver hanging to the side of the cab smiling towards the camera. The only let down are what appear to numerous dust bunnies in that splendid billowing steam cloud and sky.
Tanfield - bforbesI like this well composed mono image. The lines are used to great effect to lead the eye in to the shot and the perfectly placed loco nesting in the top right thirds. It has quite a cool tone which fits the image and the date it was taken, the billowing steam is magnificent and good depth throughout. Grand atmosphere and well taken.
Maintenance - DrOrloffLove the atmosphere in this image which is technically excellent. The concentration captured on the mans face and the steam all make the shot, you can almost smell the oily rag. Detail and clarity throughout with excellent rendering of the metallic elements. F/4 does the job perfectly, I do like this a lot.
Bringing the Horse back to life- VonBatCatWow, a loco on steroids here. This has all your trademark PP skills in abundance John. This really packs a punch as the train seems to be bursting out of the screen monitor, as if from the past to the present day, with the change from mono to colour. I suppose this will divide opinion but I really like it. Its got a great energy, perspective and POV giving loads of drama to the image. My only minor negative would be that the dodging might have been overdone a tad. I would love to see a full mono version of this.
Steam Express - Malcolm LeaderI really like the grungy slightly desaturated PP in this image, suites the subject to a tee IMHO. Looks textural and grainy in the right places. Great viewpoint and smashing billowing steam cloud create a great atmosphere as does the driver waving from the cab. Great framing, good stuff. Good depth for f/4
Swiss Steam Tram - WaypointCharlieFine capture of this steam tram, I guess these are pretty rare? This is very well exposed image with great detail, good POV and colour rendition. Another cracking steam stack in this image. I'm not sure about the PP though, it appears to be two different images vieing for dominance within the frame. I think I would have either opted for all the image in colour or gone the other way with the dodging to create the misty foggy feel throughout the image.
Beach Huts - DigitalCGTwo for the price of one here, Beach Huts and a loco. This is technically a great image but I find my eyes can't settle on either of the main elements, this could be due to the very bright and vivid colours of the beach huts. Looks like plenty of skill and good timing went into this image there is a great sky and wonderful billowing steam plume.
Thumper - Glyn M
This is excellent, great colour saturation and detail throughout. A very well composed image with the tracks and platform leading the eye back through the frame from the bottom left to the right of the image. Good placing of the train and a fine period feel as well. First rate work.
Llegada en curva - perpinyaOh my this is good. Such dynamism, you can sense the whoosh of the train coming into the sation, great use of the wide angle. Super low down viewpoint to give a great view of the superb structural architecture as well, I like the vertical framing as well. This vintage PP seems to vork even though it is a modern train, I like this very much. My only minor niggle is the white vignette which may be a tad overdone.
The Jacobite at Inverlochy - Tim ELove this, just the type of image I envisaged when I set the comp, has all the elements. Great vintage feel and atmosphere and lovely colour saturation. Classic composition with the track leading from left to right and very good perspective. The mountains and mist provide for a dramatic back drop all topped off by a superb billowing steam, chuffing good.
Model Loco - NoelcmnThis is quite an intrigueing image, almost arty, no pun intended as it was taken in an arts and crafts shop. I like high contrst monos and this fits the bill alright. There is a lack of detail in the model train but here I don't think it matters as it is more of an impression, I also like the legs in the oof background. Quirky and interesting shot.
Goes like a Rocket - tyronet2000Kudos for taking a pic for the comp Stan. No harm in the tight crop as it focuses the attention on the guts of the machine, all raw power which you have captured. Suites the mono as it conveys the industrial feel very well. I like the detail in the rivet work and metal. This displays the K-5 high ISO capabilities very well as there is great detail throughout and vitually no noise in the image for ISO6400, good work.
Bunty - Geordie01Again kudos for taking a shot for the comp George. Not sure what reverse film mode is , assume it is in-camera software/filter? Whatever it gives a striking image which has a very psychedlic look and feel. Lovely looking little steam train which you have caught, framed and timed very well. Quirky, surreal and interesting shot.
Rowsley Station 2012 - paulb531Lip smackingly good image. Superb period feel, beautiful colour saturation. The AOV conveys a majesty to the powerful machine and I like the old motorcycle as well. I think you've just caught this beast perfectly. I would be tempted to clone out the very definately21st century sign on the fence though. Full marks for taking this for the comp.
The Lancastrian - StopherTop marks for shooting for the comp. This proves a what a superb all round and excellent value lens the 55-300 is, had an inkling it was shot with this lens on first viewing. Great DOF and lead in from the rails to the front of the train, and nice curve to the left revealing the carriages at the rear. There is a real sense of forward momentum in this shot and I like the oof foliage providing a natural frame on the right for the front of the train. First rate exposure and detail throughout.
Looking the Duchess - drofmitShe does indeed look like a Duchess, what a beauty and she looks ready to take off again. Very nice perspective and colour saturation in the image. I like the linear perspective with everything leading out, or in if you wish, from the large window at the rear, streamlined indeed. I think you've worked hard to frame this and it definately works, well taken.

Thanks to everyone for a fantastic set of entries, I have thoroughly enjoyed viewing them, it has been a privilege to judge them. It was incredibly difficult to pick a winner from this superb set of entires but there has to be one so

1st The Jacobite at Inverlochy - Tim E
joint 2nds thumper - Glyn M,Steam Express malcolm Leader
Joint 3rds Rowsley Station 2012 - paulb531,Bringing the Horse back to life- VonBatCat, Waiting to launch - Dodge 69

HCs,Maintenance - DrOrloff,Llegada en curva - perpinya,Old Faithful - davidstorm,The Lancastrian - Stopher

Congratulations to a Worthy Winner and also to the runners up and hc's. Thanks Jim for setting an interesting subject, the judging and comments.

Think you could have had 10 different judges and 10 different winners! Well done everybody for making it yet another tough one for the judge! Great comments and a nice pick for the winner Jim, the classic shot you were after indeed.

Couldn't have said it better - Well done Tim & Jim.

Many thanks Jim for picking a great subject, a brilliant set of well considered comments and of course some great judging .

Thanks also for my joint 2nd placing which was really unexpected.

Congratulations to Tim for a superb winning image, my fellow podium members and everyone else for a wonderful set of loco images.

Glyn

An interesting selection - I loved the station shots and the Goodrington one with the beach huts.
Delighted to win - thanks for the generous comments, Jim.
I was particularly pleased because the picture was taken in cloudy, overcast conditions - I was lucky that the steam was so prominent.
Tim.

Well done to the winner and the placings and ta to the judge for a good comp and some great judging.
Reversal film is an image tone i have been playing with it tends to give rich saturated colours.It is in the info menu in the K-r

Well done everyone and a very good set of judge's comments as well. We all appreciate having this valuable feedback.

Thanks Sandinista for the comp and judging, which I think was particularly diificult, given the varied nature of the submissions. There are some very creative entries which only go to show how much I have to learn.

I think that TimE with the Jacobite at Inverlochy is a worthy winner. Personally I really like the somewhat surreal feel of digitalCG's Beach Huts but can understand your reasoning, given the subject you set.

Thanks for your comments on my own humble entry, the Swiss steam tram. It's the only Pentax shot I had that remotely fitted your subject and I realised it wasn't quite right, although it needed you to put your finger on it. In fact, there's very little PP and it's a close match to the out-of-the-can JPEG. There's no 'dodging' to create the misty look behind the tram, that's genuine smoke and steam the tram was billowing out. The trees in front show the contrast before and after the tram passes but I can see that it needs something to make them less distracting - simply reducing their saturation and darkening may help a bit.

I look forward to future comps and, hopefully, improving!

Thank you sandinista for your subject setting and judging, both done with a good deal of thought. As other people have said a very diverse bunch of images, so very well done to TimE for his win.

Thanks for being generous with your time and feedback and of course congrats to the top placing entries. The winner is a corking shot

Congrats to the winner, placings and other HC's. Fine judging of a another high quality entry. Many thanks for my HC and your comments. I spent a couple of hours out in the sun taking some more IR shots with the K20 and decided to drop by this station, quite by chance to catch sight of a train or two! Glad I did!

What a brilliant weekly competition! A superb set of images entered and some astute judging. Congratulations TimE for the winner, to Jim for the excellent subject and judging and to everyone who entered and made this such a good week

Regards
David

Thank's for your comments. Congratulation for the winner, excellent steam train, bridge, weather, and composition. Very good ambient!

See you next competition!

Josep lluís

Great comp and judging Jim. Congrats to a worthy winner and some fine rivals. Cheers for the HC.