Tracks

[GB1]

Some desert railroad tracks in Anza-Borrego. Taken with a Mamiya 645 and Fuji Velvia film on Mem Day weekend.

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[Frog]

What is it about railroad tracks leading off into the bg that attracts photographers and viewers?
I like the first one better because of the longer view of the tracks.
I generally prefer tracks to be at an angle across the screen but that' just my taste and I see you would have had to go over a bit of a bank to be at more of an angle on the right. Is that water down there?
The water tank is well placed in both images.
The second one has a strange color, yellowish(?), mostly noticeable on the cement of the tower.

[GB1]

Frog, it's not water, just a path, though it does look wet.. The second was taken at sunrise and therefore has a very warm look (esp in the desert). I think people (and not just photogs) like tracks into the distance because it's such a great example of a vanishing point .. can't do any better

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[CaraRose]

I prefer the warm lighting in the second.
Do the tracks turn off in the second though?

I like the first though... I think it might be a bit stronger if you were a bit closer to the tower.

[icicle]

I like them both, it doesn't seem like they are used that much any more.

[jetrim]

While I like them both, the second shot is the clear winner for me. Love the way you played the angles with the long shadows of the weeds against the direction of the tracks. The sky gradient is also very pleasing in this one. Nice work!

[GB1]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the feedback.

Jet, It's funny because to me the first seems better, perhaps because the lighting is 'softer.'

As for the weeds, as Icicle noted, you can tell that these things have not had any trains on them in awhile. I'm curious but don't know any history on them, a web search didn't show anything. There is an east-west railroad on Interstate 8 but I don't think it goes to San Diego, and know at what pt it it veers off.

Carla, the tracks keep going straight, crossing a gully on a bridge. I forget if they merge into one lane though. They do that sometimes to save bucks on bridge construction. Just gotta hope two trains don't try going in opposite directions over the bridge at the same time.