Abandoned Rail at sunset: Opinions and Critique

[tbob]

I missed the prime day for this, wanted the setting sun between the rails. Work intervened. I will try again in late July or early August. In the interim this can be a trial shot and post processing attempt.

Any suggestions welcome.

[Shadowman]

Nice, could use a few specs of light on the foreground blades of grass.

[FootLoose]

Good concept, Trevor. I wonder if rather than waiting a couple of months, you could move the camera to one side of the tracks to position the sun where you want it. Not the same shot, but maybe an interesting alternative.

[AB26]

Trevor,

To be honest, if this was shot by a “newbie” I would say it is fine. This is OK but not you.

With this one I think Trevor is off the track. The dead weed in the foreground, the telephone and power lines, the composition, I am not so sure it works very well.

[Stagecoach]

Trevor, there's something about this that has an appeal but difficult to explain, for me anyway.

The light on the rails is good and I wonder if using a flash to highlight the foreground 'weed' slightly would emphasise the abandonment feel of the scene? Just an idea.

For me, this is another one of those images that must be viewed full size not only to see the entire scene more easily but to appreciate its quality.

Grahame

[bnnrcn]

Hi Trevor When I look at the sun my eyes keep going on the wires (electricity?) and the poles. If you can clone them out, you might get a better scene.

[Mike Buckley]

For this style of photo, I think you need a foreground that is devoid of the weeds to ensure that all of the attention is on the lit rails.

[tbob]

Nice, could use a few specs of light on the foreground blades of grass.

A small touch of fill flash? I cannot think of any other way to get some light on the weeds. I certainly don't want the weeds to be too dominant an element, just a suggestion of their presence. But perhaps they are too subtle?

[tbob]

Good concept, Trevor. I wonder if rather than waiting a couple of months, you could move the camera to one side of the tracks to position the sun where you want it. Not the same shot, but maybe an interesting alternative.

i will try that. So far i have been fixated on a central position for the tracks, using a wide angle lens and not considering other options. Too many options for images and not enough time to try them all

[tbob]

Trevor,

To be honest, if this was shot by a “newbie” I would say it is fine. This is OK but not you.

With this one I think Trevor is off the track. The dead weed in the foreground, the telephone and power lines, the composition, I am not so sure it works very well.

I appreciate your opinion. This is a bit of a new area for me and I am trying stuff out.There will be a lot of failures I suspect! What I need is this sort of comment to more quickly see the failing areas.

[tbob]

Trevor, there's something about this that has an appeal but difficult to explain, for me anyway.

The light on the rails is good and I wonder if using a flash to highlight the foreground 'weed' slightly would emphasise the abandonment feel of the scene? Just an idea.

For me, this is another one of those images that must be viewed full size not only to see the entire scene more easily but to appreciate its quality.

Grahame

I may have to consider packing a flash when I try more of these. I suspect it may be a real asset to use one sparingly.

[tbob]

Hi Trevor When I look at the sun my eyes keep going on the wires (electricity?) and the poles. If you can clone them out, you might get a better scene.

I am afraid this is beyond my skill level. Tried multiple time to remove the poles and wires. Hideous results in my hands.

[tbob]

For this style of photo, I think you need a foreground that is devoid of the weeds to ensure that all of the attention is on the lit rails.

There is a short section behind me with less weeds. I will try that as an option

[Mike Buckley]

There is a short section behind me with less weeds.

Perhaps your most important photography accessory is a pair of manually powered or battery-powered hedge trimmers (clippers).

[Wavelength]

A common story; an uncommon statement; loved it

[Kaye Leggett]

I go with taking your own secateurs with you next time and trimming the weeds. I know Mike won't agree but I don't see any harm in a little gardening. I like the telegraph poles - they contribute to the urbanisation of the landscape I think - funny how some seem to like rail tracks but not poles.

BTW - Great reflection on the rails.

[tbob]

Perhaps your most important photography accessory is a pair of manually powered or battery-powered hedge trimmers (clippers).

I am outraged you and Kaye would suggest this. I am a child of nature and refuse to damage any part of the environment while taking a picture. I will drive my one ton pickup 50 km burning fossil fuel, smashing insects on the windshield and grill, then drive a kilometre through grass, weeds and willows to get to these places. But I draw the line at cutting a dead plant. The very idea!

[Mike Buckley]

refuse to damage any part of the environment while taking a picture.

We suggested that you do that before taking the picture.

[dje]

Hi Trevor

I'm a bit late coming in on this thread but I do think the image has potential. With the current post processing it looks a bit flat to me. I had a play with it and came up with this (hope you don't mind me posting, I'm sure you'll tell me to take a running jump if you do!).

Bumped up Shadows, Clarity and Vibrance in ACR and made the yellow tones redder.
Then in PS I touched up the Levels a bit (mainly the black point) and added a Nik filter - the Detail Extractor in ColorEfex Pro. I think this brings out the sun's rays more. I also cropped a bit off the bottom.

For your consideration.

Dave

[John 2]

I like this Trevor. I like the concept. If symetry is what you are after, getting the sun in the centre of the rails might be worth while but to me this speaks of abandonment and that being so, I have no problem where it is now. If symetry isn't the point you could even change your viewpoint slightly. The weeds don't bother me provided they don't dominate - they add to the desolation. I certainly wouldn't highlight them more than you have. I do however prefer Daves PP and viewing this in the lightbox makes a big difference. Nice shot.