A favorite shot by J Alex Lang

The image here is what compelled me to start thinking about writing about rail images. Alex showed this shot (captioned version here) in a forum years ago and I was struck by its excellence. What makes it so good? A combination of compositional elements leading to a complex yet accessible image.
First, there are lots of interesting dimensions of lines and forms. The structures form repeating patterns of verticals and angles, the gray building echoing the red in front of it, as does the tan building to the left. The upper half of the image is dense with various angles and lines, but the lower half has the graceful arcs of the trackage to go along with the smaller boxes of the engine and cars.

Second, note the variation in light. Above, much of the structures but for the roofs are in shadow, yet part of the red is well lit and has a bit of glow to complement its beautiful color. Near the bottom the opposite holds, much of the very bottom is lit and highlights the presence of the engine and cars. The colors themselves are rich, not only the red (also appearing as just a trace on the engine handrails), but the yellows, repeated three times: building posts and two switchstands. The remaining browns add to the warm feel, and the engine then stands out in bright blue.

The engine also stands out by its position. Most of the elements of the scene face to the left, the structures, the slopes in the dirt, the gondola cars (but one). The engine, by contrast, faces to the right. At the same time, the large structures put the engine in context, reducing its size and, perhaps, indicating that the lowly switch engine exists to serve mighty industry.

Finally, look at the overall balance. In the middle (offset a bit to the right) is the large red structure, and arranged around it are the gray building above and left, the tan building, and below the tracks and equipment. There is a swath of shadow going from center left to upper right, but the bright snow on the red building balances the bright snow at the bottom. The steam behind the gray building adds another touch of light, as well as a softer texture in contrast to the dominant hardness of the various steel elements.

An all-time favorite of mine!

[PS: As introduction, this will be one type of post that I will do, evaluating a shot (or contrasting a pair) according to its design elements.]

Welcome to my blog!

My intent is to explore what makes some rail photographs excellent or notable, by discussing individual shots and by comparing sets of shots. At times I will feature shots by one particular photographer of interest, at times I will feature shots of a particular type of subject or in a particular style, and at times I will focus on the results of a particular technique. The view will always be that of the "consumer" of images; I will not be offering advice on technique. I intend to be a hobbyist commentator on photographs and I am starting this blog to find my "voice."

My formal qualifications are minimal. I am a competent photographer who has moved beyond the wedgie to somewhat more creative compositions but who has no particular notable successes, although I have several shots I am particularly pleased with. This leads to one particular complaint that some make of critics, both professional and amateur; that they don't know enough to express a relevant opinion. However, much as a restaurant critic need not and almost always is not a professional chef, and a political commentator is often not a politician, so I am not an expert photographer. I believe that my views stand by themselves; either they make sense, they are effective commentaries on the images, or they are not. Take a read and decide for yourself.

In discussing the images I will rely on basic concepts of composition: line, form, texture, color, and of course light. As I am not trained in art, I may occasionally deviate from how artists use these terms, but I believe what I write will be self-explanatory. If not, I will edit and fix it!

Toward that end, critical yet informative comments are most welcome. I will be thrilled to get a pointed criticism. As I intend that each blog entry be a permanent expression of views on an image, I will be revising them or supplementing them in response to any comments received. Thus, this blog will be more like a set of entries than a continuous conversation, at least in format.

By the way, all images used with permission of the individual photographer. A number of images will be taken from railpictures.net; in those cases for convenience I will leave the RP copyright strip at the bottom, as that indicates ownership of the image lies with the photographer.

Click here to see my shots on RP.