View Full Version : PCT: Transportation (March 15, 2010)
Dorian Gray
2010-02-17, 17:45
This month's Photo Challenge Thread theme is transportation: the vehicles, infrastructure, and people of human transport. It matters not whether the photo shows a village bicycle ride or a jumbo jet, leisure travel or the daily commute, the mode of transport or the people using it. The photo should however relate to present-day transportation, as opposed to nostalgia about the past. Vintage car shows and steam locomotives will not win.
As the judge for this month's competition, I'll be looking for photos that provide an interesting view of the transportation subject you choose to photograph. The photos may be interesting because they tell a story, evoke a feeling, or simply look good. :)
The theme is deliberately broad to encourage participation. Submitted photos must have been taken between February 15 and March 15 (deadline in thread title). See this thread (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=33667) for more context and further rules. The general rule is: keep post-processing to a minimum.
This month the top prize is... an ego boost! That's worth fighting for, I reckon. As Chinney said last month: "Enter early. Enter often." Have fun!
Sounds like a great topic, should be a challenge... ;)
Great topic. I'll be in. Until you added that clarification about 'no vintage' I had been thinking of taking a pic of an old car rotting away on a local street, but I'll think of something else.
I'm certainly in on this one. I have something in mind already! I'll post it if it works out. :D
Another weak entry from Brad, but it had to be posted. ;)
http://i50.tinypic.com/2z8s3vd.jpg
Nice one Brad, love the new hood ordiment. :)
I showed this a few days ago in the colour photo thread, but I like this one, and I think it fits the theme.
http://robdphotos.smugmug.com/Photography/General-Photography/RD13576/800314158_zkLKm-L.jpg
My window of oportunity is this weekend and I hope to get my shot then. I'll get something in either way, but I'm still on track for my planned shot, just maybe not my original envisionment but slightly modified.
Saw this thread and thought that I should participate :)
I was riding the commuter train to work when I saw two security guys eating breakfast (I guess) on the platform.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4420686938_2dfe0f7cdb_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebatlh/4420686938/)
Dorian Gray
2010-03-14, 14:54
Any luck, turtle2472?
Good entries so far but we would love more. :) Deadline approaching.
Any luck, turtle2472?
Good entries so far but we would love more. :) Deadline approaching.
Well, not like I had planned and I forgot to bring my card reader with me. It looks like I'm going to be placing my entry at the last minute now. I'm still expecting it, but I don't have it yet. :(
GSpotter
2010-03-15, 00:14
It looks like I'm going to be placing my entry at the last minute now. I'm still expecting it, but I don't have it yet. :(Same for me here, too...
don't remember if I have to take it within the month... but if so disqualify me (took this last summer). Forgot about the photo contest till it was too late so for the sake of submitting something, I hope you guys enjoy this picture. One of my favorites I've taken. I was driving home at night and decided to hold the camera at my chest with a 30 second exposure.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2618/3689519334_993d9f54e6_o.jpg
The rules, as per the original thread, is that the photo must be taken during the period between the end of the last challenge and the end of the current one. Nice shot though, sorry. :(
The rules, as per the original thread, is that the photo must be taken during the period between the end of the last challenge and the end of the current one. Nice shot though, sorry. :(
That's what I thought but the other pictures were looking kinda lonely :)
Yeah, I know, I was really hoping this months would get more people involved it is a neat topic.
Well just to add another kink in the works my camera seems to have eaten my images. :( I can see them when I play the pics through the camera previewer but once downloaded they are unrecognized. I'm not going to be able to do anything with it until I get home later tonight either. This will likely be well after midnight.
Yeah, I know, I was really hoping this months would get more people involved it is a neat topic.
I would totally be involved if I had an okay camera :(
I would totally be involved if I had an okay camera :(
Do it anyway!
That's the whole point of these challenges, everyone has a shot. It's not about who has the best camera or equipment. You should join in anyway. Really!
Well just to add another kink in the works my camera seems to have eaten my images. :( I can see them when I play the pics through the camera previewer but once downloaded they are unrecognized. I'm not going to be able to do anything with it until I get home later tonight either. This will likely be well after midnight.
I think we can make an exception for cases like this. Hope you are able to recover the images. :(
Robo: Shoot anyway, Chase Jarvis (well known pro photographer) just released a book of over a 100 images taken with just an iPhone. He is quoted as saying "the best camera is the one you have with you." We are looking for creativity as much as pure image quality here.
GSpotter
2010-03-15, 13:55
Just in time, finally my entry.
At last I took my photo equipment to work and on the way home, I installed the tripod on the back seat and made the shot which I had in my head for some weeks - Although the weather was less than optimal.
CoachKrzyzewski beat me though in posting a similar idea.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4435382427_38da7b5cd0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/iphotograph/4435382427/)
Wow. What a great shot. I've been sick, on and off, for the past few weeks. (One of the hazards of having kids at home - you get everything that they get.) I am going to try to get a shot now.....and post by midnight Pacific NA time, which I believe is still the deadline.....
Loving the colors in that photo, GSpotter. The rain just makes it cooler.
Yeah that is a great shot. :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4437153444_d106507e27_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/18678497@N03/4437153444/sizes/l/)
I had just a few minutes this afternoon, and this is what I came back with. I took it right into the sun. It violates some of PB's rules, as I applied some post-processing, and just about every rule of photography. :p I know that it is far from good in any real sense, but there is something that I like about it.
I call it "Public Transit Meets the Langoliers".
I think we agreed that some PP was okay, just nothing outlandish. ;) After all, if you think the photo I took is a jpg straight from the camera, you'd be fooling yourself, its from a 14bit RAW file. :)
OK. I'm not disqualified. :)
There is still time for others to get some shots in. Once again, midnight, Vancouver time (GMT-7), is the deadline.
Just in time, finally my entry.
At last I took my photo equipment to work and on the way home, I installed the tripod on the back seat and made the shot which I had in my head for some weeks - Although the weather was less than optimal.
CoachKrzyzewski beat me though in posting a similar idea.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4435382427_38da7b5cd0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/iphotograph/4435382427/)
similar idea, superior execution. Great shot.
Another last-minute entry from me. I took this at the end of February, not really thinking of this thread, but it's certainly applicable. I love having a car in the winter.
http://www.nmpeterson.com/misc/an-transport.jpg
Backstory: Image taken on the road with my phone. Uploaded at 75MPH on I-95 Northbound to Flickr via email uploading. Navigated to on my phone and copied the link so I could post here while now doing 75MPH outside of exit 77 stopping to get gas.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2727/4436424693_c92ea370f8_o.jpg
I should add that my wife is driving. :)
Thanks for the clarification. You had me worried there turtle. :eek: :p
To continue the night driving theme...taken 11 years ago while on a road trip that went from Minneapolis to Las Vegas to Los Angeles to San Diego to Baja California back to Los Angeles to Boulder, CO to Austin, TX and back to MN. This particular photo was taken on southbound I-15 around 9PM when we first caught a glimpse of LV. The photo's a bit janky because I didn't, and still don't, know how to use a camera but it's one of the few transportation photos I have...it's also a scan.
http://i44.tinypic.com/ostp9i.jpg
SpecMode
2010-03-16, 01:56
Aha! Four minutes to midnight, and I finally got my photo online!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4434271705_dc861a12b0_b_d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/specmode/4434271705/sizes/l/)
I shot this during an annual bike ride weekend before last, on a very fast (and slightly dangerous) downhill run. A couple of minutes after I got this shot, a couple of riders slid and crashed together into the side of a hill about a hundred yards or so downhill. They were both OK, and they got right back up and continued to ride.
Dorian Gray
2010-03-16, 19:31
As is becoming a bit of a trend, we had a sudden influx of entries right at the end. I'm glad we made it to the second page! Thanks very much for participating, everyone.
Ultimately I was most impressed by GSpotter's entry, which I think exemplifies a good photograph on several levels. It's graphically interesting, with light and shadow, rich colour, and dynamic lines. The photo also evokes a strong sense of being there. I can vividly imagine driving through the wet night in that modern car, cocooned in comfort and feeling just okay.
And if GSpotter allows me, I think his photo also says a good deal about him! The car is a diesel VW Eos in what looks like perfect condition: a fun car for sure, but also a sensible car. There are no fluffy dice, loose newspapers, or frivolous artefacts lying around the cabin. The temperature is set to precisely 20.5 degrees Celsius, the engine is plugging along at optimum RPM, the windscreen wipers are doubtless set just so! We can even see the driver surveying the road impassively while guiding the car with a relaxed and confident grip. In a moment he'll consult the Omega Seamaster on his left wrist to confirm progress as expected. ;)
It's a great photo, GSpotter, and I'm pleased to entrust you with next month's photo challenge thread.
(I may post some comments on the other photos later, but I'm dreadfully tired right now and must sleep. I did enjoy them all! Thanks again.)
And if GSpotter allows me, I think his photo also says a good deal about him! The car is a diesel VW Eos in what looks like perfect condition: a fun car for sure, but also a sensible car. There are no fluffy dice, loose newspapers, or frivolous artefacts lying around the cabin. The temperature is set to precisely 20.5 degrees Celsius, the engine is plugging along at optimum RPM, the windscreen wipers are doubtless set just so! We can even see the driver surveying the road impassively while guiding the car with a relaxed and confident grip. In a moment he'll consult the Omega Seamaster on his left wrist to confirm progress as expected. ;)
Such attention to detail! It's official: I'm never ever posting anything with my ugly self :lol:
Hopefully he has better luck with his Eos than Souflay did. Of course, living near Wolfsburg, he's also bound to get better service. ;)
Well, it seems I might have saved my images from this trip. I'm not going to take the time weeding them right now though, I can safely say they don't hold a candle to GSpotter's.
GSpotter
2010-03-17, 13:47
Ultimately I was most impressed by GSpotter's entry, which I think exemplifies a good photograph on several levels.Thanks alot! So at least my contortions on the backseat while installing the tripod weren't for nothing :D
And if GSpotter allows me, I think his photo also says a good deal about him! You'll be a good P.I. (or stalker) ... ;)
The car is a diesel VW Eos in what looks like perfect condition: a fun car for sure, but also a sensible car. There are no fluffy dice, loose newspapers, or frivolous artefacts lying around the cabin.Well seen (how did you get the diesel part: by checking the rev meter?). It's a one year old Eos 2.0 TDI, which I bought abour 4 weeks ago.
The temperature is set to precisely 20.5 degrees Celsius, the engine is plugging along at optimum RPM, the windscreen wipers are doubtless set just so!The wipers are controlled by the rain sensor, the temperature felt right (without checking the exact value) and I'm trying to drive as fuel efficient as possible: On my way to work (cruising mostly on rural roads), I get > 40 mpg.
We can even see the driver surveying the road impassively while guiding the car with a relaxed and confident grip. In a moment he'll consult the Omega Seamaster on his left wrist to confirm progress as expected. ;)I was trying to hold still for the exposure time (I have made several shots from about 7 to 30 seconds). Regarding the Seamaster: You seem to have a great memory (http://forums.applenova.com/showpost.php?p=466976&postcount=24). ;)
Yes, very good shot, stands well above all the others by a wide margin. I'm looking forward to the topic you pick GSpotter. :)
Dorian Gray
2010-03-17, 15:31
A few closing notes.
Brad got the competition off to a good start with the fun image of his Mac car. I enjoyed PB PM's photo, and so did my girlfriend. It's got lovely pastel tones, and the three boats lead the eye diagonally across the photo, taking in the various shapes and textures along the way. However, the photo deserves a bigger image size.
The entries by sebatlh, CoachKrzyzewski and Chinney are similar in that they exploit photographic phenomena such as flare and motion blur. I feel these images would work better with a little more structure to the composition or more context, such as they might have in a presentation with a series of similar or contrasting images.
Noel's self-portrait is fun. :)
I think the entries by turtle2472 and tomoe would benefit from a more obvious subject. SpecMode's entry is a solid photo, from a good viewpoint, of a cyclist having fun in the dinner plate (http://www.northriverracing.com/blog/?p=118). Nice.
Kudos to sebatlh, Chinney, and SpecMode for shooting something other than a car!
GSpotter: yes, the rev counter reveals the fuel type, and I remembered you had a Seamaster. One can just about see the two-tone bracelet in your photo, confirming the watch model. If you have time, could you explain how you managed to secure the tripod in the backseat?
Looking back at my own photos for the month, I would probably have entered this one if I had been competing:
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9964/vespas.jpg
See you in spring (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=34241)!
GSpotter
2010-03-17, 15:49
If you have time, could you explain how you managed to secure the tripod in the backseat?The setup was rather simple, my only problem was getting to the backseat of a two door car to check the settings without colliding with the tripod. I had two legs spread as wide as possible behind the front seats. The third leg went to the middle of the back bench. The tripod had a carrying strap attached. I just fed the seat belt through the loop of this strap.
I set the camera to a fixed aperture, manualy focussed on the dashboard and used a cable release to trigger the shots.
I made a whole bunch of shots on the 25km ride back home with different lighting variations (town road, woods etc.) without checking and hoped that one of the shots would end up OK... ;)
Looking back at my own photos for the month, I would probably have entered this one if I had been competing:I like that one! The low angle produces a very dynamic feeling.
Congrats GSpot. Well deserved.
And I like that shot of the scooter Dorian. Your little yellow moto is very photogenic.:)
Thanks for the feedback. :) I will say it wasn't my intended image, but I had to submit something and the fact that I was doing it while in modern transportation just added to the theme. :D
If I can get through the images from the trip I'll try to post something more like what I was going for.
Thanks for the critique Dorian. But I must admit that any flare or motion blur was unintentional in this case. The train I was sitting on was leaving so I only had time for a rally fast snapshot :\
Oh well, lots of room for improvements :p
GSpotter: Congrats to the win. Well executed photo!
It was fun. Normally I just shoot whatever, but having a set theme of what to shoot *and* to create something interesting makes it so much more challenging :)
I enjoyed PB PM's photo, and so did my girlfriend. It's got lovely pastel tones, and the three boats lead the eye diagonally across the photo, taking in the various shapes and textures along the way. However, the photo deserves a bigger image size.[/URL]!
Thanks, it does look better in a larger size. I just don't upload images in a larger size than 1024x768 very often, for various reasons.
vBulletin® v3.6.4, Copyright ©2000-2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.