Rails to Heaven

[Old Timer]

Ok guys I need some help here. Took several shots of this scene yesterday and can't make up my mind about it. Is the image worth fooling with? If so which version do you like. Strong back light on the railroad track is what drew my attention to start with. Please give me a little feed back on these images. Thanks

Larry

[stew]

OT,

I like both the first and second ones. In the first, the lit rail lines (pretty cool) lead me back to the sunset, which is well-positioned above the rails and in the clouds. I was at first thinking it was a little underexposed, and it might be, but also the dark look highlights the rails which is probably the effect you were going for.

The second image is fun, too, because it feels like the sun is "smiling down" on the tracks or something .

Nice images!

-Stew

[dbutler]

While I love the first shot, the low slung sun keeps dragging my eye away from the rails. It's like really having the sun in your eyes, IMHO. If I had to absolutely just choose 1, I guess I would pick the third shot. But all three images are great! The tracks come across as being really energized.

[Old Timer]

While I love the first shot, the low slung sun keeps dragging my eye away from the rails. It's like really having the sun in your eyes, IMHO. If I had to absolutely just choose 1, I guess I would pick the third shot. But all three images are great! The tracks come across as being really energized.

I think you may be right. I don't want to beat a dead horse, but here is another shot of the same scene that may say it better that the three I was looking at this morning. This one I'm calling Rails of Gold.

[bingo pajama]

the 3rd one gets my vote. i have to agree with dbutler about the "sun in my eyes" effect. i think all are good shots with an interesting concept, but the 3rd one has more detail, and you can still see the sun.

[gahspidy]

Old Timer,
I also think the third shot is the prize. It has all the elements included and exposure appears right on. Very pleasing to look at with a great sense of perspective. Nice shootin . . . .

[Old Timer]

Thanks to all who commented on these images. It was once again a challenging light situation. I had to work kind of fast because of the suns rapid descent and it would frequently go behind clouds losing the light effect on the rails that drew me to the scene. This was a photo of opportunity since I volunteered to take my wife to see her sister and just happened to glance to the right as I crossed the tracks. Once again always have a camera with you.

[PuckJunkey]

...I think the third one is by far the best because it combines the sunburst of the first one, but is much closer to the tracks (which was the problem with the first one IMO). What I would do is go back to this location during the same time of day, and walk up to the part of the tracks on the right where you have the straight set and the set that bows out and then back in. Shoot from right behind that.

The effect will be to remove the empty space between the third set of tracks (the ones currently on the left), and really draw your eye out and then back into the "heavens".

Keep at it. This is a pretty cool shot IMO.