Art in Cast Steel

[PRSearls]

Old steam locomotives are a rich subject for interesting closeups. In the age before commercial airlines, this Hudson-type locomotive pulled long and short-haul passenger and mail trains. I find the geometry and symmetry of these drivers (driving wheels) legacy examples of the craftsmanship of draftsmen, pattern makers, foundry workers and machinists during the age of lead pencils and slide rules.

The first three are of the same driver, shot at varying distances and cropped differently. Strong, blue sky light from the right and interior, tungsten light from the left give a pleasant mixed light effect. The fourth image is more of an abstract design; I was attracted to the detail of rust, peeling paint and metal texture in the strong sidelight. A tight crop adds a bit of mystery of what this is.

How can I improve these?

PRS

[LePetomane]

Paul, very nice.

[billtils]

Enjoyable set Paul. I liked the first and (especially) last best.

[Mike Buckley]

Great compositions! The only thing I can suggest has to do with the last one: consider increasing the display of texture just a tad and lifting the shadow tones in the upper right area of the circle to display a little more detail.

[Shadowman]

Nice shots.

[JBW]

Perhaps a little side lighting to bring out texture? #2 gets my vote.

[Stagecoach]

How can I improve these?

Paul, I have a personal preference for giving them more pop and structure to enhance the rust, tooling marks and peeling paint but suspect that is because I am biased and looking at them as works of engineering more than works of photography

[Wavelength]

Nice set of images