Railpictures Rejection

y0chang Nov 2, 2011

  1. y0chang

    y0chang TrainBoard Member

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    IMGP1547-crop.jpg

    After trying to submit this corrected image to Railpictures, they have rejected my shots again. After correcting the issues like an unlevel horizon (nevermind that the track is on a grade and i was using a wide angle lens), they rejected again for unsharp image and poor cropping. Honestly I guess they only want professional or semipro photographs on their site. I have no idea how they judge image quality with a 1024 px cropped image. Anyone want to give me some critiques here to improve my photography? I might not have a massive megapixel camera, but its is an DSLR. I can also link the original image.
     
  2. Geep_fan

    Geep_fan TrainBoard Member

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    It looks terrific to me. They just really have some stuck up people doing their photo reviews. After several times of trying I finally decided that it was their loss, not mine.
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    We've seen more than a few folks note similar unhappiness here.

    For mere mortals, fallible humans, to judge perfection or to even pretend possessing such ability... :thumbs_down:

    This is a hobby. Enjoy yourself. Don't even worry about pleasing others. Don't let the inconsequential get you down. Feel free to post away here, where views are appreciated for the true fun behind it all.
     
  4. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    Try to make them the best you can! Then put your pics on rrpicturearchives.net so we can enjoy them. I have 2 pics on Railpictures and 719 on rrpicturearchives.
     
  5. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    I always research on RRpicturearchives.net because of the volume of pictures. You are much more likey to find what you are looking for.

    Not getting a picture accepted is a small issue compared to your enjoyment of the hobby and your own satisfaction. It's always good to be your own best company.
     
  6. mikelhh

    mikelhh TrainBoard Member

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    How could they reject that? Beats me!
     
  7. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Open an album here on in RailImages on TrainBoard. We appreciate good photography. :tb-biggrin:
     
  8. kursplat

    kursplat TrainBoard Member

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    nice photo. post em' all here because i'd love to see the rest of your layout
     
  9. fireball_magee

    fireball_magee TrainBoard Member

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    Not a fan of their picture restraints. Its odd how only certain people get in. But I digress.Post them here cause that was a great shot!
     
  10. y0chang

    y0chang TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks all for the comments, ya'll are right I'll just start an album here if i wanna share the images. Ya'll made me realize we are here because we enjoy trains and photography, and want to share that joy. I got caught up in trying to reach the approval of the Railpictures screeners rather than enjoying watching trains and learning more about photography.

    kursplat: I wish I was that good of a modeler. That is Cass Scenic Railway on the day of the big Noreaster snow. I got some great pictures specially in the morning when the sun came out for a bit.

    Here are a couple other pictures I took that morning with my Pentax IstD, these two are uncropped and unedited and without any post processing.

    IMGP1478.jpg IMGP1506.jpg
     
  11. kursplat

    kursplat TrainBoard Member

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    suuure it is :tb-biggrin:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 3, 2011
  12. sp4009

    sp4009 TrainBoard Member

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    It takes a while to figure out the RP "recipe." A full lit shot needs to be as close to technically "perfect" in order to be accepted. The "half" of a water tower is, for RP purposes, a real killer. Perhaps more of a 3/4 angle including the whole water tower would jive with the screeners. There is also a little wide angle distortion present(mainly the water tower), which unless is done in an "artistic" manner, is also a, for RP purposes, shot killer.

    That aside, it is an interesting photo.
     
  13. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    I find that odd as well. I had photos rejected because "The Engine was front Coupled" then I see some other photographers whose pictures were allowed. Do they allow front coupled coupled shots or not? It was a BS reason for rejection.
     
  14. TrainboySD40

    TrainboySD40 TrainBoard Member

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    As someone who professes to know what the hell he's doing (or at least pretends to) I can see why they wouldn't accept either of them. I'll give you my point of view, and what I think is railpictures' point of view on all of them.
    Your original image is pretty good, and could be damn near perfect with a bit of tweaking. I find it to be a bit lacking in the 'pop' department, so depending on what photo editing program you use, you could fiddle with it to get some more local contrast. One thing that bugs me is the wide-angle keystoning, if you have photoshop you could fix that a little bit. When they say it's soft, just give it a bit more sharpening and resubmit. Keep it on its original grade, and make a note in the screener comments that it's on a grade and to look at the water tower to make sure it's level (assuming you corrected the keystoning by then)

    Second image: The steam, black engine, and white snow are all very powerful together. That being said, it's too dark, and the train's too centered. You're very close, but RP would want more of a standard 3/4 shot, and I would too, because I find an image where the train's pulled through the scene to the second third to have more feeling of going somewhere.

    Third image: RP would hate it because it's 'boring', as it doesn't have a train. It's okay from my point of view from a documentary perspective, but it lacks emotion. What's the message of the photo?

    PS - I'm not trying to come off as harsh here, just trying to give constructive criticism! Shoot for yourself first and foremost, and anyone else as an afterthought.
     
  15. Virginian Railway

    Virginian Railway TrainBoard Member

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    I can't even get on RP's site anymore!:tb-hissyfit:
     
  16. RRfan

    RRfan TrainBoard Member

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    I would honestly frame it and put it above my bed thats how good it is!!
     
  17. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    The same for me. I submited dozens and dozens of pics to them, and all were rejected but one. Too much light, or not enough, too big, or too small, etc, always something wrong with them. Once they even deleted one of my comments owing to an unperfect english. I admit, as a stinkin' cheese eater from France my english is less than perfect but if they are looking for academists, no way for me.... So I gave up submitting any pic to them and now I'm sticking to http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/ .

    Dom
     
  18. Logtrain

    Logtrain TrainBoard Member

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    Here is one of mine that has been rejected on BOTH of the sites mentioned. This was taken I think in Aug 2006. I was lucky enough to catch the BNSF exec train westbound at the east portal of Cascade Tunnel on Stevens pass. I raced it then down to Sunset Falls and captured this image. I think it is a GREAT shot! But obviouslly the screeners think otherwise.
     

    Attached Files:

  19. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Well it's certainly accepted HERE. Nice photo, good composition, plenty of scenery to complement the train, and it's on a bridge--what more could one ask for?

    :happy:
     
  20. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I see what is wrong- There is an unnecessary bubble in the water to the left of that flea.....
     

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