railroad lights

[photocist]

I am looking to create positive tension in my shots. A tension that creates energy, but adds to the photo rather than subtracting from it.


railroad thing by photocist, on Flickr

Camera: Nikon 3000D
Exposure: 1.6 seconds
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal length: 35-50 mm
ISO: 200
0 EV
Incandescent white balance

[windrider86]

Do you have a specific question?

[photocist]

Does anyone think there is a way I could have a) framed b) composed c) angle of shot that could contribute more towards making this positive tension in the photo?

[zambie]

well ... unfortunately the image isn't conveying a lot ... not exactly sure what you mean from "positive tension", but the main structure is just too dark and completely blended into the dark night to be drawing attention. Perhaps more exposure on the subject could help, but as far as perception goes, I personally don't feel moved by the snap in anyway - positive / negative .... it feels slightly abstract.

[PnwGuy]

My first thought when looking at the photo was "where are the lights?" According to the title it's railroad lights. I don't understand the positive tension either. I even googled it.

I think what may have made this shot more intersesting is if you had captured the lights flashing

This may be one of those shots that you are in love with, know it could be a great shot if you could only add that one element, but nobody else seems to appreciate what you see and feel in it. I definitely have quite a few of those.

Just keep at it. :-)

[August1851]

Wow, tough audience!
Hey, I like it. The perspective/angling gives it tension---don't know what positive tension is. I like the haunting lighting. But---I'm new to this.

[photocist]

Thanks for the comments.

They probably are technically not "railroad lights," but it is some light flashing thing that is near tracks, at the port of oakland.

By "positive tension," I am referring to those photos that have a sense of energy when looking at them, almost like a sense of motion. However, that is a little more specific than what I mean with positive tension. It is a term that I have coined to try to describe photos that are generally interesting. I am quite new to photography so my vocabulary is not perfect yet...

Maybe it could also be a sort of vibration with the eyes when looking at the photo. I might be trying to find the needle in the haystack with this one, and there is a possibility that what I am trying to describe is in fact something else.