Posted by Scott Brown on January 26, 2009 at 10:22 PM
I hope this falls inside the limits of Nature Photography...
Details about the photo - it was taken back in May of 2007, I knew that the train was going to be there on a certain day, so I scoped out the location the night before.
Sadly the train was late, so the good light went away and I had high noon light and thin clouds... Thus, I did some work in Photoshop to give it a more "painting like" feel...
I can't find the original at this moment so I can't post the EXIF, but I believe this was a 20D with Tamron 17-50 f/2.8... Of all my photos, I have sold the most prints of this -- as a fan of steam engines, I love looking at it...
Hey, way to make a photograph! Too bad about the timing of the train's coming, but I sure like how you handled the presentation/interpretation. No wonder it sells well for you.
Nature? Sure, but much more MAN and Nature. Critically speaking, the steam plume is of such volume as to render a huge waterfall to relative insignificance; the whites at the left side look really hot. Thus, the photo has more than one subject which compete with each other for attention– the train and the falls.
Still a pleasure to see it, and I'm glad you showed it off for us. For train fans, it's a knockout.
Posted by Joseph Campisi on January 26, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Cool Scott, looks just like an old hand colored postcard from the late 1800's!
Posted by Scott Brown on January 26, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Thank you all for the comments/critiques....
I haven't touched the processing on that picture since 2007... since then I have learned a lot more about PS and LR.... I should give it another go and deal with the blown highlights, etc... maybe I can make it better......
Posted by Bryan Swan on January 26, 2009 at 11:38 PM
I'd agree the Orton is a little heavy, but as both a Train and Waterfall Geek, this sits very well with me.
Would have been even sweeter if you could have gotten the engine reflected in the creek as it crossed the bridge.
Posted by Jack Graham on January 27, 2009 at 12:31 AM
Maybe a Sepia effect?
JG
Posted by Ned Fenimore on January 27, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Very cool! I like it just how it is...
Posted by John Williams on January 27, 2009 at 4:10 PM
I'd rework the highlights and shadows a tad, but like the Orton effect (especially as you note the less than optimal time of day). Very cool to plan this out and grab the shot.
Posted by Curtis Knight on January 27, 2009 at 6:50 PM
I usually don't get anything out of photo-art, but this is a rare exception. Really sweet piece of art Scott!
Posted by Ray Still on January 28, 2009 at 5:01 AM
Really like the composition. I also think I would have reduced the % of blur on the Blur layer of the Orton Effect. Nice work
Ray Still
Posted by Rick Lamb on January 28, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Hi Scott, This is feeding my steam engine lust just fine kind sir!! I agree a sepia or split tone of this might be even sweeter than color!!
Posted by Mark Hudon on January 28, 2009 at 1:51 PM
I like it! I think you've captured a unique moment in an interesting way.
Posted by Ryan Dyar on January 29, 2009 at 2:12 PM
I really like it! A very well executed image. The soft focus/orton works well here. It's normally not my thing, but it was used in a very proper way here. I would try yo pull some detail back out of the steam if at all possible. I do agree with others that a sepia version might look really good... but may seem a little too "obvious", if that makes sense? Overall this is a very well executed shot, great job!
Posted by Darren White on January 31, 2009 at 3:34 AM
the concept is great but the image is lacking!...the smoke is blown out and the orton effect does not do much for me!!!
Discussion
13 repliesDetails about the photo - it was taken back in May of 2007, I knew that the train was going to be there on a certain day, so I scoped out the location the night before.
Sadly the train was late, so the good light went away and I had high noon light and thin clouds... Thus, I did some work in Photoshop to give it a more "painting like" feel...
I can't find the original at this moment so I can't post the EXIF, but I believe this was a 20D with Tamron 17-50 f/2.8... Of all my photos, I have sold the most prints of this -- as a fan of steam engines, I love looking at it...
Nature? Sure, but much more MAN and Nature. Critically speaking, the steam plume is of such volume as to render a huge waterfall to relative insignificance; the whites at the left side look really hot. Thus, the photo has more than one subject which compete with each other for attention– the train and the falls.
Still a pleasure to see it, and I'm glad you showed it off for us. For train fans, it's a knockout.
I haven't touched the processing on that picture since 2007... since then I have learned a lot more about PS and LR.... I should give it another go and deal with the blown highlights, etc... maybe I can make it better......
Would have been even sweeter if you could have gotten the engine reflected in the creek as it crossed the bridge.
JG
Ray Still