Amtrak Dual - Variations of a Photo

As I stated in my previous post, HDR Photography Visually Explained, here is a post showcasing an HDR photo which has been processed with different effects. I was trying out different techniques to sharpen my skills and different styles to see what appeals to me.

The original photo, shown below, was taken as a series of 7 exposures and then combined into an HDR photo with HDRsoft’s Photomatix Pro. I like the photo very much. I feel it conveys the scene accurately and it is sufficiently detailed. (You can click on the photos to see a larger version.)

Amtrak Dual 1 - Variations of a photo number 1 - Original HDR photo. AMTK 460 (EMD F59PHI) and AMTK 161 (GE P42DC) are the power for their respective trains sitting idle at Los Angeles Union Station. [11/26/2011 - River Subdivision] © Copyright 2011, Joe Perry

As I looked at the photo I thought the clouds lent themselves very well to a monochromatic treatment to I converted the image to a dark sepia version.

Amtrak Dual 2 - Variations of a photo number 2 - Dark sepia overall. [11/26/2011 - River Subdivision] © Copyright 2011, Joe Perry

I am really fond of a lighter sepia treatment and some vignetting but I think in this case it doesn’t work well because the image is cropped too close on the right side to make this look work.

Amtrak Dual 3 - Variations of a photo number 3 - Light sepia overall. [11/26/2011 - River Subdivision] © Copyright 2011, Joe Perry

Back to the darker image, I wanted to emphasis the trains a little more so I gave them a light colorization - which is one of Deb’s favorite looks.

Amtrak Dual 4 - Variations of a photo number 4 - Dark sepia overall and lightly colorized trains. [11/26/2011 - River Subdivision] © Copyright 2011, Joe Perry

Finally, back to the lighter sepia version, I applied a heavy colorizing treatment to the trains without regard for the vignette and even applied a drop shadow to the trains themselves to make them “pop” off the page.
Amtrak Dual 5 - Variations of a photo number 5 - Light sepia overall and colorized trains. [11/26/2011 - River Subdivision] © Copyright 2011, Joe Perry

I like photos #1 and #4 the best.  Which photo(s) appeal to you?

Comments

[Steve Eshom]

I love selective color images. The last two are my favorites. Both of them look like a painting which can be a very interesting effect.

[rose ramirez]

very nice, once again i am impressed

[Wayne Frost]

I'm with you, Joe. I like the first and last best. If I were processing the first though, I would "soften" it a bit. I like to term this style of processing “illustrative” as it reminds me of the the beautiful draftsmanship and coloring of classic illustrated magazine covers in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. Here is an example from another blog that illustrates what I mean: http://hdrshooter.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/all-layers-of-eurovea/

[Joe Perry]

I see what you mean Wayne. Nice shot with a good look. And to think that I work hard to make my images as sharp as I can - who knew! ;-)

BTW - With respect to your comment made on HDRShooter's blog, they can't stop you from photographing property, private or otherwise, from a public spot (i.e. on a sidewalk, etc.) I would have suggested they call the police and let them sort it out.

As always - Thanks!

[Wayne Frost]

Thanks, Joe. In regard to the photo restriction, I think the streets themselves were considered private property, although that would never occur to the general public "passing through". I have emailed the company managing the property and expressed my unhappiness with their policy, depending upon whether or not they respond to me, and how they might respond, I may be commenting more on this issue on my blog.

Have you visited the California Museum of Photography in Riverside? I plan to pay my first visit sometime in the near future when I finally check out the Amtrak/Metrolink station out there.