Midnight at Furnace Hillby
MaverickComment by SaraR: Hello from the Critique Club.
Firstly, this was a photo that impressed be during voting for the FS, and I am pleased to be revisiting it to leave a fuller critique than my earlier comment.
Composition: The diagonal placement of the tracks adds a a sense of motion, despite the (apparently) stationary engine and the low viewpoint adds to the sense of it's imposing size, although at the cost of the inclusion of the foreground grasses - that said, whilst I don't feel they add anything positive, I don't find them as distracting as I did when I first viewed the photos. It is a shame that the modern suburban housing is so visible in the background, although reading your photographer's notes, I suspect this is something you cannot avoid.
Exposure: I viewed your photo the Night Train, and could see why you wanted to try a re-shoot - and I am glad you did, because the exposure here is spot on. All of the train is well exposed, with the only burned out areas in the whitest and brightest part of the steam. The detail revealed in the train is really good; I wonder if you could capitalise on this even further with a little selective burning?
Focus and sharpness: Clearly good focus, with just the right amount of post-processing sharpness. The depth of field has allowed the entire train to remain in focus.
Monotone Conversion: There is a good range of tonal values from true black through to white.
Overall impression: A very well considered and taken photograph, with complimentary post-processing - I am surprised it didn't score above 6, as I thought it one of the stronger entries in this months FS.
Photographer found comment helpful.