Small train in movement with people (suggestions for better title?)

[Jim A]

We happened along to this event where multiple small trains were running. Great fun and photographic heaven!

[xpatUSA]

We happened along to this event where multiple small trains were running. Great fun and photographic heaven!

A really nice shot, Jim.

Seen them little trains in England but not over here, although I'm sure they exist.

The passengers are quite interesting - Maori-style tattoos on the guy in front and could that be the wife immediately behind, one wonders?

[Shadowman]

A really nice shot, Jim.

Seen them little trains in England but not over here, although I'm sure they exist.

The passengers are quite interesting - Maori-style tattoos on the guy in front and could that be the wife immediately behind, one wonders?

Why not be literal and just title it "Passengers"?

[Jim A]

Thanks Ted - you may be right about the tattoos and wife etc. Funnily enough I had not noticed the tattoos, so many people have them in New Zealand for all kinds of reason, including trendy, reinforcing heritage, rebellion, expressing oneself, etc, so am not sure what this one is.

Well, John, that is a better title, but somewhat bland. However, if you and I try a bit more, then am sure we will tune in to one.

Here is a much changed image. What do you think please?

[Geoff F]

That works OK; but it is a pity that you couldn't have had the whole of the engine as sharp as the driver and first set of passengers. However, that is one of those real life shot problems which so often occur and you can't always overcome them.

[Dave Humphries]

I prefer the mono flipped version Jim, for a variety of reasons.

To me, with an interest in the engineering, it is a shame that the locomotive is so blurred, I am undecided whether that's a focus issue - too much of the available DoF seems to be (IMHO) 'wasted' far behind the subject in the distant boarding and greenery. However, it's likely that the locomotive's lateral movement across frame was also contributing to the softness.

That said (and it's so easy to be smart in hindsight), as I've shot similar scenes/subjects and know the issues.

The shot still works for me as I see the subject as the girl looking at you - she has eye contact, she is sharp and she is brighter than many other elements in the composition.

HTH,
Dave

PS Seems Geoff had same thought while I was composing my reply

[shreds]

With it flipped, the verticals that are noticeably marginally out, somehow become more pronounced and a slight tweak on this might improve the overall appearance, although I go along with the other comments and would suggest the movement of the train across the diagonal is contributing to the minor blur.

As Dave says… where is the main point of attention?….the front of the loco, the drivers concentration or the girl passenger? Certainly the eye contact in the case of the latter draws the viewer immediately.

[rpcrowe]

The advantage or disadvantage of viewing images with my small screen Chromebook display is that I don't notice things like the engine being a bit soft... That is until I view the image on my desktop monitor...

[Tronhard]

Hi Jim: Great shot - and I like both the colour and monochrome images.

How about this title: "NZ Rail downsizes its services"

[Ken MT]

Or "NZ government gets what it pays for"

[CurlingCanuck]

Like the mono photo... "All aboard!"..... "The little engine that can"

[escape]

"How about," Honey, I Shrunk the Train." Realy like this photo.