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Challenger 3985
Challenger 3985
pncowley


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Hidden Gem -- 1,000th Challenge! (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM
Location: East of Nevada, Iowa USA
Date: Sep 25, 2008
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/250
Galleries: Transportation, History
Date Uploaded: Mar 10, 2009

 I had a very difficult time narrowing down my choice for "best" digital photo ever, but finally settled on this one. My wife will probably disagree, and she generally has a better inclination for what will do well on DPC.

The Union Pacific Challenger 3985 is billed as the largest, fastest steam locomotive in active operation anywhere in the world. I was especially excited to learn it was coming through the area last year and set up at what I thought was an ideal location, only to end up with a large number of less-than-inspiring shots. After the train passed, I quickly packed up and headed east for one last shot at the passing train - this is the happy result.

ISO was bumped to 400 to assist with a higher shutter speed so I could hand-hold my long lens. Post-processing is minimal, consisting of saturation and contrast adjustments, and a final gamma adjustment to address comments that the shot was a bit too dark.

Statistics
Place: 297 out of 1129
Avg (all users): 5.9559
Avg (commenters): 6.4706
Avg (participants): 5.9508
Avg (non-participants): 5.9861
Views since voting: 840
Views during voting: 661
Votes: 499
Comments: 57
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/17/2009 10:16:44 PM
Good capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 09:58:24 PM
Great clarity!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 07:29:03 PM
Unusual and pleasing angle.

Not voting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 05:50:37 PM
Well done. 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 03:24:06 PM
Very nice locomotive shot. Great angle and lovely detail.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 02:36:08 PM
I like the composition, and how the train curves toward the bottom right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 05:49:00 AM
I dunno about the wb and that steam is a bit over exposed too.
sorry but just four from me

good luck though and take care ;D
brano
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 04:56:54 AM
Lovely train. Curve of the track/ train through the countryside is great
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/17/2009 02:41:17 AM
classic
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 10:24:18 PM
That's a nice picture.
It has it all...

Old steam engine.......... Check
Bellowing steam........... Check
Rhododendrons track side.. Check
Corn field................ Check
Great composition......... Check
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 09:52:44 PM
Ahhh the beauty of a train and with steam. Nice POV and capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 09:42:44 PM
Great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 08:50:48 PM
A train in motion very cool, I like the way you composed it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 03:04:41 PM
Looks like I could reach out and touch this - it is sooo real! Great clarity and natural tones. Very strong entry.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/16/2009 01:02:15 AM
A friend of mine ownes a steam locomotive much like this. I've ridden in the cab, shoveled coal, ... and quite enjoyed my time there. Thanks for the memories!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 10:57:43 PM
like how sharp this is plenty of detail on the train
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 08:37:23 PM
nice shot, but something should be done to bring out the clouds more perhaps smart sharpen or levels
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 12:13:47 PM
Good pic. The steam adds to the picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 10:09:15 AM
A good angle, I like the steam.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 05:57:26 AM
great compesition and perspective - well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 01:42:48 AM
good details , 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/15/2009 12:10:17 AM
Great train shot. Love the curve to the tracks, and the corn field on the side, and the steam / smoke, and elevated viewpoint.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 10:47:10 PM
sorry, another nice shot comment
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 08:10:32 PM
Frame it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 06:10:54 PM
Good clarity on this shot, with good detail.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 02:01:07 PM
A train under steam, a classic 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 11:22:20 AM
Oh, this just charges through the frame. Very nice composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 09:45:25 AM
A classic shot done well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/14/2009 05:46:41 AM
nice steam engine my friend atrue GEM
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 10:52:10 PM
Interesting scene, but it seems to be tilted to the right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 09:47:56 PM
nice subject, great clear picture, the curve in the tracks is perfect- nice timing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 07:38:45 PM
Fab steam train. Great detail and exposure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 06:21:14 PM
Good timing. Even though its an action shot the details are very clear.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 05:57:01 PM
Good old steam trains :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 01:39:26 PM
cool.. I love trains.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 12:13:49 PM
Nice shot, good and sharp all around.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 11:04:08 AM
Nice capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 10:56:54 AM
interesting subject, nice spot to photograph at the railroad curve. good colors and detail
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 10:06:14 AM
Nice shot, good POV.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/13/2009 12:13:37 AM
Beautiful old train! I like the steam.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 11:13:12 PM
I have seen the big boy in Green Bay, but it doesn't run anymore. Some day I'll get out west and see this in operation. Splendid capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 10:47:08 PM
I like trains...this is great
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 06:38:44 PM
Love these trains. Nice perspective. I would like it better in black and white I think with some tonal editing but its still very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 05:02:27 PM
I love train shots, this one's nice with the curve in the tracks
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 03:06:07 PM
very nice shot, my son would love to see this in real life!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 12:17:05 PM
really cool shot! wish there were more trains like this around today ... they make fantastic images!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 12:02:22 PM
Awesome train shot!! Nice composition too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 11:20:56 AM
This is so perfectly crisp with good tones and great composure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 10:34:33 AM
Very nice photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/12/2009 07:07:47 AM
good angle and perspective
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 08:08:27 PM
Good perspective. Well framed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 03:36:55 PM
Wonderful shot, crisp, clean.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 02:26:19 PM
Great nostalgia shot. Would love to be able to someday photograph and honest to goodness locomotive.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 01:53:32 PM
WOW
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 12:08:53 PM
All aboard!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 10:03:09 AM
Lovely looking old train.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/11/2009 04:24:14 AM
Wonderful angle!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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