Help on Composition Re-shoot

[Ben Holder]

Nikon D5000, 29 mm, 1/25", f/29, ISO-200

Let me know what you guys think about this. I was out shooting, when I had to wait for the train to cross. I quickly saw a possible photo, and shot a bunch of frames. I like this, but I want to go back and re-shoot, this time paying more attention to composition and generally spending more than 10 seconds on the photograph. I definitely feel like there is a really good photo in there somewhere. What would you change about this?

[sk66]

What do you want to convey?
As it is, the left side is mostly clutter...it would have been better if the lights were red and part of the composition.
If I were taking this I would focus on the train to convey speed. Fill the frame more, angle is decent, eliminate clutter (perhaps a different location).

[IABoomer]

For the most part, I like the composition. The sign on the left saying not to stop on the tracks and the motion of the train showing that it hasn't stopped. There's something that feels off-balance, though. Is it maybe lens distortion causing the crossing light and the train body to lean inward?

I would like to see it in color.

[Ben Holder]

@IABoomer

I was wondering that myself, I wouldn't think there would be distortion from my 18-55 set at 30mm; but the polls in the distance towards the center of the frame are vertical, so my camera was level. Attached is the color version, I personally felt that the color didn't really add anything, and the photo, while not perfect, was better portrayed in B&W. Let me know what you think.

@sk66

I would like to remove a lot of the clutter from the left, but do you think I should try and keep the signal lights? I thought they added a lot. Also, do you think pointing the camera more towards the train would make it less obvious that it is moving? It is coming to a stop here, so it really isn't going that fast.

*Edit* - sorry the attachment is so big...

Thanks!

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Ben Holder

@IABoomer

@sk66

I would like to remove a lot of the clutter from the left, but do you think I should try and keep the signal lights? I thought they added a lot. Also, do you think pointing the camera more towards the train would make it less obvious that it is moving? It is coming to a stop here, so it really isn't going that fast.

*Edit* - sorry the attachment is so big...

Thanks!

I don't think the color helps much..maybe selective color to keep just the red lights. But honestly you have two subjects, the sign/lights which as is aren't very dynamic, and the train. In this composition they are competing with each other. Since neither is "the subject" and neither is particularly strong, I find my eye being drawn by the converging lines to the center of the photograph...and there is nothing there.

Is that a loading platform in the background? I would take a shot from the platform with a person standing there (a woman in a long dress with the dress "blowing" from the "passing train" would be great. A businessman with his hat being "blown off"..etc)...keep the shallow angle to convey speed.

[Ben Holder]

I guess I agree. I look forward to re-shooting this. Thanks!

[jillmp13]

my favorite part of this photo is the movement of the train. i think the lights definitely make it look too cluttered, but i think something would be missing from the image if they weren't there. Are all lights so clunky? maybe you can find a set that are more simple, less distracting.

Also, except for the lights, there is not much contrast in the image for a b/w photo, it just kind of looks dull. I almost like the color version better.

just my opinions, I'm still learning a lot so I could be way off. Love sk66's idea of getting a shot of a woman's dress blowing as the train passes!