Train in the mirror

[bjkj1969]

I took this shot at work in the rear view mirror. I was rejected on another site because of bad cropping. The photo hasn't been cropped.
I was using my first camera a Fuji Finepix S5500
Exposure time 1/450 sec
Focal Lenght 40mm
ISO 100
F Stop 3.1

Any ideas on taking a better photo next time.

[Elmo]

Nice Glint shot. The rejection was not for bad crop but for no crop. I feel a couple of things need to go. First that hint of sky draws my eye right out of the frame, so crop a little from the top.

Next the vertical border on the left seems distracting, crop it out. (it might not be bad if you can eliminate the light area adjacent to it.

Then the light area running vertical beside the vertical left border, try bringing it down to match the remainder of the frame.

Another option to try cut out the left border and light area along with some of the right framing element, resulting in a vertical presentation.

I hope you can do something with your grain train it is a beautiful glint.

[bjkj1969]

Thanks for the tips Elmo. I cropped out the bit of sky firstly, this did make a difference. I couldn't get rid of the light area so I went with your other suggestion and cropped the photo into a vertcal presentation.

[troutwhisperer]

Elmo made some very good suggestions and you did a great job with the post processing. This is a much better photo now. The distractions are gone and the focus is on the train.

[Elmo]

round two!!

I never get things right the first time. They do get better as time goes on.

as the power goes all the way to the bottom of the frame on the right, try chopping a little off the top (down to top of engine).

We keep going we might have nothing left
If nothing left it will be perfect at least nothing to try to fix.

[bjkj1969]

Ok Elmo here we go with a little more off the top. Thanks for the tips.

[rumatamx]

Originally Posted by Elmo

round two!!

I never get things right the first time. They do get better as time goes on.

as the power goes all the way to the bottom of the frame on the right, try chopping a little off the top (down to top of engine).

We keep going we might have nothing left
If nothing left it will be perfect at least nothing to try to fix.

I like it better on the first crop, feels more balanced, that space on the top is a breather. Nevertheless i really like the shot. It's a nice lighting and a very good subject, almost feels abstract.

[Elmo]

Ok RUMATAMX even I am allowed one mistake each year. Now that I have possibly made one this year. I will not have to worry about making another one.

As for the new crop it does appear a little tight. might try giving it a little space.

The real question is which one expresses your feelings and story for the shot.

Elmo

[rumatamx]

Originally Posted by Elmo

Ok RUMATAMX even I am allowed one mistake each year. Now that I have possibly made one this year. I will not have to worry about making another one.

As for the new crop it does appear a little tight. might try giving it a little space.

The real question is which one expresses your feelings and story for the shot.

Elmo

I apologize, I did not mean to say that you were on a mistake. Anyway, your suggestions are very good, they lead the shot to a very nice view.